Kent Hughes earns rare praise from NHL agent after Canadiens-Blue Jackets trade
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The agent of a player involved in the trade between the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets has broken his silence.
Luke Tuch‘s agent had nothing but praise for Kent Hughes, applauding the way the GM handled his client’s trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Brian Bartlett discussed the situation during an interview.
His comments highlighted the human side of the Canadiens’ general manager.
That kind of gesture is appreciated in a business where the human element can sometimes take a back seat.
Tuch was clearly caught in a logjam in Montreal, so Kent Hughes went to work to give him a fresh start.
It was a meaningful opportunity Hughes gave him.
Rather than letting the young player stagnate, the Canadiens opened the door to a new beginning.
Kent Hughes earns agent respect beyond contract talks
Bartlett, who also represents Arber Xhekaj, had previously described Kent Hughes as a tough negotiator who stands firm in his positions, especially during certain contract talks.
But he also clearly has tremendous respect for Hughes’ human side.
He’s a GM who negotiates hard but treats his players with the utmost respect, as we’ve also seen in the past with Luke Tuch, Brendan Gallagher and Jeff Petry.
That balance is valuable in this business.
A GM can fiercely defend his team’s interests while still respecting the human impact of his decisions.
For Tuch, the move represents a golden opportunity.
Columbus could offer him more room than he ever would have received in Montreal.
These gestures don’t go unnoticed by agents.
A GM who treats his players well, including those leaving the organization, builds a reputation that can make future negotiations easier.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics