As the NHL offseason heats up and training camps loom just a month away, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves at the center of a brewing storm.

With rumors swirling and front offices working overtime, a surprising new development has emerged that could dramatically alter the team’s outlook for the upcoming season.

General manager Kent Hughes, known for his relentless pursuit of roster upgrades, is reportedly on the hunt for a solution to one of the Canadiens’ most pressing needs—a reliable second-line center to support the team’s high-octane offense and shore up its defensive vulnerabilities.

But just as fans and analysts begin to speculate about potential targets, a bombshell report from a respected insider has thrown a new name into the mix—one that few expected, and one that could have far-reaching implications for both the Canadiens and their long-time rivals, the Boston Bruins.

Who is this mysterious player suddenly linked to Montreal, and why is his future in Boston so uncertain?

The answer may surprise you, and the potential consequences could ripple through the league for years to come. As the Canadiens weigh their options, all eyes are on Kent Hughes to see if he’s about to pull off his boldest move yet.

Montreal Canadiens Logo (left) and Boston Bruins Logo (right) Canadiens GM Kent Hughes center

Photo credit: All Habs

One month before training camps begin, some NHL general managers are scrambling to fill holes in their lineups.

While others are trying to trade players who are not part of their plans.

It’s well known that on the side of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, they are moving heaven and earth to find a second-line center who not only has the offensive touch required to run a second line, but is also defensively reliable enough to compensate for the defensive gaps of Patrik Laine and young Ivan Demidov.

And now, journalist Jimmy Murphy from RG.org reports that the Bruins are looking to trade Casey Mittelstadt.

Mittelstadt, a viable temporary solution for Kent Hughes and the Canadiens?

At 26 years old, Mittelstadt has more than 400 games under his belt in the big league (438 games played), in which he has averaged over half a point per game (236 points).

Let’s recall that the center was acquired by the Bruins in the trade that sent Charlie Coyle to the Colorado Avalanche last spring.

According to Jimmy Murphy, the player was never really part of the team’s plans, which already relies on Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha as centers. His $5.75 million salary for two more years displeases Cam Neely, but he could be a good fit for Kent Hughes while waiting for the eventual emergence of Michael Hage.

“I hear Mittelstadt could be traded again since the end of last season. It’s said he wasn’t their main target when they made this deal; Zellers and the second-round pick were.. I think many teams expected and still expect the Bruins to trade him at some point.”

Jimmy Murphy on RG.org

If the Canadiens show interest, it’s very likely that the price to acquire him would be very affordable.. a situation to watch!