Canadiens GM Kent Hughes confirms early offseason calls regarding trades

The Montreal Canadiens barely had time to process their Eastern Conference Final exit before general manager Kent Hughes confirmed he is already calling teams across the NHL.

During Monday's end-of-season media availability in Brossard, Hughes said he is mapping out which players could become available this summer.

The timing mirrors last offseason almost exactly. Hughes admitted he had no idea Noah Dobson would become available until well into June 2025, and that deal ended up reshaping Montreal's blue line.

The Canadiens are carrying a $1.93 million salary cap penalty into 2026-27, triggered by performance bonuses earned by Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson, Jakub Dobes, and Jacob Fowler on their entry-level contracts.

That penalty exists because Montreal's young core played so well that every bonus clause was triggered.

The same development pipeline that powered a surprise playoff run is now eating into the cap space Hughes needs to upgrade the roster.

Hughes made it clear he will not trade core assets for a one-year rental. He wants players who fit the medium and long-term timeline, which limits the pool even further.

Pierre LeBrun has already reported Montreal's interest in Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils, and pre-deadline reports confirmed Hughes nearly landed a second-line center before the trade window closed.

The need at center has not changed.

With roughly $11 million in projected cap space and the bonus overage already baked in, Hughes has less room than the phone calls suggest.

Every GM makes calls the morning after elimination. The difference between activity and results comes down to whether Montreal can structure deals that respect a cap sheet shaped by its own young talent thriving.

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