Excitement is building in Montreal as the NHL trade market heats up, and all eyes are on Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes. With the 2025 NHL Draft fast approaching, the atmosphere surrounding the Canadiens has become electric, fueled by swirling rumors and insider reports. Fans and analysts alike are buzzing with anticipation, eager to see what bold moves the Canadiens’ front office might make in the coming weeks.

Recent reports from some of the league’s most respected insiders have only added fuel to the fire. The Canadiens have found themselves at the center of trade speculation, with Kent Hughes reportedly taking an aggressive approach to upgrading the team’s roster. As the draft nears, the sense of urgency and excitement continues to grow, with many believing that the franchise could be on the verge of significant change.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Montreal, a team hungry to return to contention and eager to make a statement in a fiercely competitive league. With the front office actively working the phones and big names being linked to the Canadiens, the coming weeks promise to be pivotal. For fans, the wait for answers is almost over—and the potential for blockbuster news has never been greater.

Photo of Kent Hughes

Photo credit: NHL

We have a major new development involving the Montreal Canadiens and the trade market, courtesy of Elliotte Friedman.

One of the most well-connected insiders in the NHL has just confirmed the rumor that’s been circulating for a while: Kent Hughes is active on the trade market and he wants to make moves!

With just a few weeks left before the highly anticipated 2025 Draft, Canadiens fans can definitely hope to see some trades materialize.

Montreal Canadiens Among the Three Most Active NHL Teams Right Now, According to Elliotte Friedman

Well, well!

“On that topic, in today’s 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman named three teams that were generating a lot of buzz at the combine.

The three teams he named as the most active?

The Mammoth, the Kraken.. and the Canadiens.”

– Charles-Alexis Brisebois

That’s definitely very interesting.

So that makes three teams in total that are currently very active, just weeks ahead of the draft.

As part of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman indeed revealed that there are three teams currently very active.

This will be something to watch closely-especially now that numerous rumors are linking the Montreal Canadiens and the Vegas Golden Knights in trade discussions.

Will Nicolas Hague end up in Montreal? Will William Karlsson come with him?

We’ll get the answer in the coming weeks.

Do you believe Kent Hughes will finally manage to land a second-line center by this fall?