Habs GM: We want to see young core 'take the next step'

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is ready to see the young core he's built find another level.

"We're excited to see that growth of who we have right now. ... We're excited about this group, and we want to see them take the next step," Hughes said Wednesday at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, according to NHL.com's Derek Van Diest.

Hughes signed Juraj Slafkovsky to an eight-year, $60.8-million contract and Kaiden Guhle to a six-year, $33.3-million pact this summer. The two join Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield among the core players locked up on long-term deals.

"On the back end of (those long-term contracts), they should be underpaid because effectively, they are making more money on the front end than they would if they signed short term," Hughes said. "So, I think on the back end of those deals, at least the cap number, should be favorable, and if it's not, then you made the bet on the wrong horse."

Slafkovsky, the first overall pick in 2022, had a slow start to his NHL career with 10 points in 39 games. He rounded into form as a sophomore, recording 16 goals and 37 points in 46 contests after Jan. 1 this season.

"I don't know that development is always linear," Hughes said. "Along the way, there's bumps, and (Slafkovsky's) had to manage the No. 1 overall label and try to live up to what that means and what people expect of him. And now, he's got a big contract to go with it. We have to be mindful of how we manage him and the messaging that we provide him, and provide externally, too.

"We don't need him to score 40 or 50 goals or it's a failure. It's about continuing to progress as a hockey player and to be the best version of himself, because we're confident the best version of Juraj is going to give us a good chance to compete and win."

The Canadiens haven't made the playoffs since their shock run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.