Montreal Canadiens return not as easy on Jeff Petry and his family 

By Arnab Mondal

Modified Aug 10, 2023 13:18 GMT

The Montreal Canadiens' recent reacquisition of defenseman Jeff Petry in a blockbuster deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins has brought forth unexpected challenges for Petry and his family.

In a candid interview on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, Sportnet's Eric Engels revealed that he reached out to the Petry family post-trade and found them in the midst of adapting to their sudden return to Montreal.

Engels shared, "I touched base with the family just to check in and see how everybody's doing. Everybody's doing all right. Whatever happens, they're going to roll with it."

As of now, neither Petry nor Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes have addressed the media regarding the trade, which suggests the possibility of another deal in the pipeline. However, should the right offer fail to materialize, the defenseman might find himself staying put with his former team for an extended period.

Engels emphasized the magnitude of the situation:

"It's a lot to handle for sure. But, they're rolling with the punches and dealing with the reality that, if for whatever reason, Kent Hughes isn't able to trade Jeff between now and the beginning of the season, they're going to come to Montreal and make the very best of the situation."

This unexpected turn of events shines a light on the resilience and adaptability of both Petry and his family, as they navigate the uncertainties that come with professional life and the changing dynamics of the NHL.

Canadiens maximizing value in Petry's reacquisition

In a display of strategic skills, Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes has yet again showcased his exceptional asset management skills. The recent trade involving defenseman Jeff Petry, Mike Hoffman and Rem Pitlick with the Pittsburgh Penguins underlines Hughes's ability to optimize value for his team.

By deftly unloading Hoffman and Pitlick, Hughes not only freed up cap space but also secured key assets. The reacquisition of Petry, coupled with the Penguins' 25% salary retention, stands as a testament to Hughes' knack for creating favorable deals.

The deal also brought promising prospect Nathan Legare and a coveted 2025 second-round pick to the Canadiens, adding to their arsenal. Hughes' shrewdness extends beyond the immediate trade, as he holds the advantage of retaining 50% of Petry's contract value, offering flexibility in potential future transactions.

Hughes' calculated approach positions him to leverage Petry's value effectively. The defenseman's potential return to the Canadiens' lineup provides an unexpected twist, showcasing the dynamism of NHL trades.