A rumor has been circulating in the NHL that Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens want to acquire a gritty forward.

As highlighted by the excellent Nicolas Cloutier from TVA Sports, the recall announced yesterday morning by the Canadiens clearly confirms this rumor.

The Canadiens’ management is well aware that the team needs to be harder to play against, especially on the forecheck.

«Condotta’s call-up confirms what’s been rumored around the NHL: the Canadiens want a gritty, tough forward, and Gorton wants to avoid making the same mistake he made in New York.»

– Nicolas Cloutier TVA Sport

It’s worth noting that it was Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet who first reported this news, indicating that Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens are aiming to acquire a gritty forward.

Lucas Condotta’s recall confirms the intentions of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton

I completely agree with journalist Nicolas Cloutier.

The decision to recall Condotta over someone like Joshua Roy, to replace Oliver Kapanen (who returned to Europe yesterday), speaks volumes about the management’s true intentions.

Words say a lot, but concrete actions speak volumes.

This will be an interesting story to follow in the coming weeks, especially knowing that Hughes and Gorton chose not to claim Max Jones off NHL waivers (from the Boston Bruins).

They are aiming higher and for something bigger.

Lucas Condotta, 27, is a 6’1″, 218-pound forward with a solid forecheck and certainly a player with character.

This season with the Laval Rocket, he has accumulated four points in nine games. He has four career games with the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL.

Let’s also remember he is the captain of the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, so he brings a lot to a team beyond just stats and numbers.

More details to follow.