Canadiens' GM Makes Surprising Statement on Trade Possibilities for the Team

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TJ Tucker
January 16, 2024 (11:00)

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Kent Hughes, General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens, has made a somewhat surprising statement on what the team has on the table for trades.

While the Montreal Canadiens have somewhat exceeded expectations this season, hovering around a wild card playoff spot at one point, chances are the team will miss the postseason as its rebuild, reset, re-tooling (whatever you want to call it) continues. However, during a news conference with reporters today, Habs GM Kent Hughes made a surprising statement on what the team has on the table for trade considerations.

Usually, a team setting itself up for future improvement would hoard its draft picks. However, Hughes said the Canadiens' draft picks are 100 percent available if he can add scoring to the team now.

"'No question about it,' Hughes, on wanting to add more scoring to the Habs lineup. Adds he's open to moving his draft picks for young assets with offensive upside."

Hughes added that young players within the organization are up for grabs as well.

"#Habs GM Kent Hughes says they'll look at trading either young players that play positions the organization already have a lot of depth in or draft picks to acquire players that can help in other areas of need like they've done in the past with the likes of [Kirby] Dach & [Alex] Newhook."

It seems a bit crazy for a team in the position of Montreal to want to add to the team now, rather than keeping assets to build for the future. Perhaps it can be considered a sign that Canadiens' management believes that at least the first stage of the reset is over. Look for the Montreal Canadiens to make some moves at the deadline in order to be better in 2024-25.