Montreal Canadiens 'Positioned to Add' Via Trade, Per David Pagnotta
Photo credit: NHL.com
NHL insider David Pagnotta has revealed that GM of the Canadiens, Kent Hughes, has put his team in a good position for him to add to it via trade.
The Montreal Canadiens lead the Atlantic Division with a record of 6-3-0, optimistic despite a closely contested 6-5 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.
It's still early in the 2025-26 season, but Montreal started the year with a focus on capitalizing on last year's playoff campaign and continuing its momentum even further.
With over $4.4 million of salary cap room to work with, Montreal GM Kent Hughes will be one to watch on trades throughout the season, says The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta.
This week on 'DFO Rundown Insider Edition' with Irfaan Gaffar and Pagnotta, the pair chatted about some of the ways in which the Canadiens can strengthen their roster, along with trying to hammer out a deal on a contract extension for veteran defenseman Mike Matheson.
"I think they expect to be in a position to add at some point this season and closer to the trade deadline," Pagnotta said. "You make the playoffs last year, you squeeze in with the final wildcard spot. I think the expectation now is 'let's fight for third, or let's fight for one of the three spots in the Atlantic.' So with the way that they're playing, (if) they keep it up, without a doubt I think that that Kent Hughes is going to look to add to this group."
Montreal Continues to be Linked to Penguins Legend Sidney Crosby in Trades
There has also been wild speculation elsewhere that Montreal is an in-house possibility for Sidney Crosby if the Penguins ever do deal him.
With that deal not happening anytime in the near future, though, Pagnotta indicated that the Canadiens might not wish to disrupt the good team chemistry that they've built early on.
It's too early to discuss particular players Montreal would pursue, but one of the clear areas of focus is the second-line center.
"It might be more on the complimentary side. I don't think they're going to have to go out there big fish hunting like Ottawa, for example. I don't think that's the case," Pagnotta said. "I think this is more of 'let's find some complimentary pieces that work with some of these young guys.'"
Thursday night's return from injury of Kirby Dach was a big boost, and the team remains wedded to addressing the right mix of development and stability.
The Canadiens have built a good foundation and look poised to make smart, well-thought-out choices throughout the season, without breaking up the chemistry that has them at the top of the division early on.
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