Canadiens confirm a major trade nearly happened at the draft, details get revealed

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Elias Edmonson
September 1, 2024 (10:06)

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With their second first-round pick in the last draft, the Canadiens set their sights on center Michael Hage.

However, as reported by the site Marqueur, it seems that the selection of Hage by the organization was not necessarily anticipated, as a behind-the-scenes video from the 2024 draft has surfaced on social media in recent days.

Kent Hughes had a trade in place if Michael Hage was no longer available for the Montreal Canadiens

In the video in question, we learn that Kent Hughes had a trade as a backup plan in case the young forward from Oakville, Ontario, was no longer available, as the organization was unsure if he would still be available at the time of the selection.

In fact, the co-director of amateur scouting, Nick Bobrov, even estimated the chances of Hage still being available at 20%.

And if Hage had no longer been available at the 21st spot, it seems that Kent Hughes had a trade lined up, and it's very possible that the team in question with whom the Canadiens' GM was negotiating was the Winnipeg Jets, and that young prospect Rutger McGroarty, who was eventually traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, was probably involved in the deal.

Elliotte Friedman recently suggested that the Canadiens, along with the Minnesota Wild, were in the race to acquire the 20-year-old American player during the first round.

An excerpt in the video even confirms this, as Hughes was in discussion with another NHL general manager, who is strongly suspected to be Kevin Cheveldayoff, the Jets' GM.

«There's a player [we want at the 21st spot], if he slips, we'd probably take him, otherwise, we'd do it.»

In the end, the Canadiens were able to select Michael Hage, and Rutger McGroarty was traded to Pittsburgh in exchange for another young prospect, Brayden Yager.

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