Despite the Montreal Canadiens denials, Jeff Petry appears to have requested a trade
Kent Hughes was announced as the new Montreal Canadiens General Manager on January 18th and ever since taking over the job he's faced constant questions. Who will stay? Who will go? What changes are you going to make? Well this week during an interview with La Presse, Hughes answered ones of those questions about Habs' defenseman Jeff Petry and his rumoured trade request.
There have been reports that Petry had elected to ask the organization for a trade, but Hughes denied those claims. Hughes did clarify that he told Petry during a player/GM meeting that he might not be staying as a member of the Canadiens despite not asking to be moved.
"We told him: we are aware of what is happening in your life. This is not the ideal context to play. At the same time, you are part of this team. If there's a chance it will work out on both sides to trade you, we'll trade you. But until this situation arises, you are part of the Canadiens and you have to do your best."
Jeff Petry and his wife, Julie came to an agreement over the NHL shutdown that Julie and their kids would remain at home in Michigan due to the provincial restrictions in Quebec. This has obviously been difficult for Jeff to handle and Hughes spoke to this during the interview.
"But it's not an ideal context and right now we don't see any change coming with COVID. It will be a difficult relationship for [Petry and his wife].»
"Besides, Jeff is not the youngest player in the world. If it comes up, that we can improve the future of our team and improve the circumstances for Jeff, we will do it. Otherwise, Jeff is part of the Canadiens."
Petry is currently in the 1st year of a 4 year deal with an annual cap hit of $6,250,000.
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Despite Kent Hughes denials that Petry requested a trade, at least one NHL source is calling Hughes' bluff. According to Francois Gagnon of RDS, Jeff Petry, in fact DID request a trade, but Kent Hughes just elected to not publicize the information.
From the Montreal Canadiens perspective it makes sense to limit the information available to the press and fans. If a situation doesn't materialize where the Canadiens can find an appropriate trade partner this will help Petry save face in Montreal. Not to mention, choosing to retain this information would allow the new General Manager to negotiate a potential deal from a position of strength, rather than having teams low ball them.
With the NHL Trade Deadline less than 2 months away this situation is likely to continue to remain in the public eye until the March 21st deadline passes or Petry is eventually traded.
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