Insider reveals the Montreal Canadiens' imminent trade plans
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Kent Hughes is not done shopping. According to The Athletic's Arpon Basu, the Canadiens have a deep desire to add a top-six forward, and Montreal's front office has been working the phones throughout the offseason to find the right fit.
The need is not new. Hughes has been publicly and privately connected to Toronto's Matthew Knies and Columbus winger Kirill Marchenko, though both situations appear difficult to pull off.
Elliotte Friedman reported the Canadiens made calls on Marchenko, but the Blue Jackets have not budged. Nico Hischier, once viewed as a potential center target from New Jersey, is now off the board after signing an extension.
Who Could Actually Be Available
Montreal is reportedly looking hardest at a second-line center to pair with Nick Suzuki and budding star Ivan Demidov, though names with term and term flexibility remain scarce.
Depth wingers like Columbus' Mathieu Olivier and Edmonton's Vasily Podkolzin have surfaced as lower-cost, physical options if a bigger swing does not materialize.
Does Montreal Have the Pieces
The Canadiens' blue line logjam gives them real trade currency. Defenseman Adam Engstrom has already drawn interest from multiple teams, and Basu notes Montreal is open to moving him despite valuing his upside.
Arber Xhekaj remains an unsigned restricted free agent whose name keeps surfacing in trade chatter, while David Reinbacher and a stacked prospect pipeline give Hughes further ammunition.
With training camp approaching in September, Montreal has the assets to get a deal done.
Whether the right partner emerges before the puck drops is the question that will define their offseason. Habs fans are watching closely.
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