Now, one year after its initiation, a three-way deal between the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and San Jose Sharks shows how the Habs got three 2025 draft picks.
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to advance your team in the NHL is to get as many options as possible in each year's draft. However, to get more than you have allotted, you must put up something worthwhile. Last year Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes was looking to make moves in the offseason to make this happen.
Instead of holding onto all of these players, Hughes figured he would go back to testing the trade market with each of his players. He ultimately traded Jeff Petry to the Detroit Red Wings for Gustav Lindstrom and a fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft. Shortly thereafter, he sent Casey DeSmith to the Vancouver Canucks for Tanner Pearson and a third-round pick next year. However, Legare was traded to the New Jersey Devils for Arnaud Durandeau, who opted not to sign with the team after the end of the season.
In total, Montreal now has three additional picks in the 2025 NHL Draft but still needs to work on pulling in star players. Hopefully, their options next year are not as limited as many may expect. Otherwise, it could mean a low chance of future success in the league for the Canadiens.
