Major trade proposals between the Habs and Devils involving the second overall pick

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Jeff Drouin
June 5, 2022 (9:42)

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With the draft fast approaching and the Habs holding the first overall pick, some hockey fans have speculated in recent weeks that Kent Hughes should do everything in his power to try to acquire the second overall pick from the New Jersey Devils.

While the idea may seem far-fetched at first glance, some experts wouldn't be surprised if the Devils traded the second overall pick in order to get an immediate boost to their lineup.

But how about a little fun?

My colleague Alex Déry of Fanadiens.com reported on four proposed trades between the Habs and Devils that were suggested by Michel Laprise of the Curve Ball site with an eye toward Kent Hughes getting his hands on the second overall pick.

Note that these are not trade rumors, but only suggestions made by the RDS journalist.

Here are the four offers proposed by the Balle Courbe team:

1 - The Devils give away their first round pick in 2022, second overall. In return, the CH gives Cayden Primeau, the Flames' first round pick in 2022 and the Panthers' first round pick in 2023.

2 - The Devils give away their first round pick this year and the CH gives away Brendan Gallagher, the Flames first round pick in 2022 and the Panthers first round pick in 2023.

3 - The Devils send the Tricolore their first round pick and defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin who was selected in the first round in 2020. Kent Hughes gives up Cole Caufield to New Jersey.

4 - The Devils give away their first round pick in return for Jeff Petry, Jonathan Drouin, the Flames' first round pick, a second round pick in 2022 and the Ducks' third round pick in 2022.

Well okay, before the Devils trade their second pick in the next, draft, it's obvious that any NHL team would have to offer at least one impact player in such a deal. With the exception of Caufield, you can't say that the other proposals really contain any.

But one option that might be much more realistic for the Habs would be to trade away some of the draft picks they have in the bank this year in order to get ahead of the game should an interesting player become available.

If that ever happens, at least Kent Hughes will have been active in his first draft as the Habs general manager.