Charles Hudon Signs In Switzerland

The Montreal Canadiens tendered a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Charles Hudon this offseason, but despite being eligible for arbitration the 26-year-old forward declined to file. Instead, Hudon has signed a one-year contract with Lausanne of the Swiss NLA where he will play this season.

In 125 games at the NHL level, Hudon has scored 14 goals and 41 points, underwhelming totals for a player who has dominated the minor leagues. Even in the shortened 2019-20 AHL season, Hudon tallied 27 goals in 46 games, though that came with just eight assists. He had just two points in 17 games with Montreal, including two during the postseason bubble.

Montreal will retain his rights temporarily, but given Hudon turns 27 in June he likely will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. With the uncertain schedules of every professional league in the world that may still afford a bit of time for the team to bring him back, but it appears as though his time in Montreal could be over.

If it is, while he may seem like a disappointment after those big AHL totals, more than 100 NHL games out of a fifth-round pick is still pretty good value for the Canadiens.