Kent Hughes is working on a "significant" trade according to journalist Marco D'Amico

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Elias Adaime
September 20, 2024 (5:18 PM)

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If Kent Hughes had a quiet start to the summer, things have been less so in recent weeks on the NHL trade market.

He recently acquired Patrik Laine and reportedly turned down a trade involving Jacob Fowler and Yaroslav Askarov.

According to a source reported by Marco D'Amico from the RG site, Kent Hughes isn't done shopping. He would like to add another impact player to his roster, and it wouldn't be a small trade.

Kent Hughes is working on a trade to improve his roster!

That's big news!

RG - Report: Canadiens Looking To Upgrade, No Lateral Moves

«The Canadiens have informed their colleagues that they are not looking for lateral deals and are seeking clear improvements in positions that need it.»

- RG site source

It's still unclear who will be sacrificed from the Habs, but the chances of it being David Savard seem high.

He is currently in the last year of his contract with the Habs and will become a free agent on July 1st. It's certain that Kent Hughes will want to maximize the value of his veteran before the trade deadline, especially if the club doesn't intend to extend him.

With the emergence of Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux, and David Reinbacher, in addition to Justin Barron who is securing a spot on the roster, there will definitely be a surplus of defensemen.

But is it really the right time to trade Savard? He is an excellent leader and a great mentor for the young defensemen on the team. With the likely additions of Mailloux and Hutson to the main lineup, the veteran's contribution remains vital.

However, it's interesting to see that Kent Hughes continues to want to improve his team. Especially since rumors are still pointing towards an offensive forward. But the GM will have to be creative if he wants to keep his veteran defenseman.

He'll have to dip either into his pool of prospects or his many draft picks. The organization, which is no longer at the beginning of its rebuild, will have 12 picks in the next draft, including 7 in the first three rounds. They certainly won't need all these picks, and several will be traded.

Mathieu Paradis, from the site TSLH, wonders if Arthur Kaliyev might interest the Habs. It's not the first time the Kings' player has been linked to the Habs, as The Hockey News has already mentioned his name alongside the Montreal organization.

This will be a story to follow in the coming weeks!