Trade announced with the Kings involving their 1st-round pick: Kent Hughes confirms it was for Michael Hage

PUBLICATION

Elias Adaime
August 23, 2024 (10:19)

SHARE THIS STORY

We have just learned several very interesting pieces of information about the Montreal Canadiens.

Thanks to the documentary released last night by the organization, we received several confirmations, and we learned some good ones.

Notably, according to all indications, the Canadiens would NOT have drafted Cole Eiserman even if he had fallen to the 21st overall pick.

It was always Michael Hage.

Trade announced with the Los Angeles Kings before the draft involving their 1st-round pick: Kent Hughes confirms it was for Michael Hage

In this documentary, which lasts about 26 minutes, this is what the Canadiens' management confirms.

«I already have the basics of a trade to move up to the 21st overall pick.»

- Kent Hughes

And as he was debating whether he should make the trade with the Los Angeles Kings, Kent Hughes was confirmed by his scouting team that Michael Hage was «a notch» above the other players targeted in that draft range.

«The question is... Do we move up to the 21st overall pick, to give ourselves a better chance of drafting Michael Hage, or to give ourselves a better chance of moving again?

In summary, it's Hage we're targeting at the 21st pick. I think we have a 20% chance he'll be there at that spot.»

- Nick Bobrov

And we know what happened next.

The plan worked. The Montreal Canadiens completed their trade with the Los Angeles Kings to move up to the 21st overall pick, and Kent Hughes was able to get Michael Hage.

So it has always been Hage for the Canadiens, and we love it!

Reminder of the trade in question:

To Montreal - 21st pick (Hage)

To Los Angeles - 26th pick + 57th pick + 198th pick

It's really interesting.

We highly recommend the full documentary.