The future of Carey Price’s contract has become the hottest topic in Montreal, with speculation swirling around when, where, and how Canadiens GM Kent Hughes might finally pull the trigger on a trade.

With Hughes currently in Detroit among his fellow NHL general managers, rumors are spreading like wildfire, and fans are desperate for answers.

Yet, beneath the surface of this frenzy, a revealing conversation with respected Sportsnet journalist Eric Engels hints that the saga may not be as close to resolution as many believe.

In a candid exchange, Hughes offered a response that could dramatically shift expectations, suggesting that urgency is far from his mindset.

As the hockey world waits for a blockbuster deal, the Canadiens’ boss seems content to play the long game, prioritizing flexibility and patience over immediate action.

What does this mean for the team’s salary cap, and how does it impact the future of one of Montreal’s most iconic players?

The answers are more nuanced than the headlines suggest, and Hughes’ words leave plenty of room for interpretation. Is a trade imminent, or will Price’s contract remain a fixture in Montreal for the foreseeable future?

The details behind Hughes’ strategy—and what comes next—are more intriguing than ever.

Carey Price (left) Kent Hughes (right)

Photo credit: All Habs

This is the hot topic in town: where, when, and how will Carey Price’s contract be traded by Canadiens GM Kent Hughes?

Currently in Detroit with the other NHL general managers, the Habs’ hockey boss has surely had discussions on the matter, but don’t be fooled if you think Kent Hughes looks like a guy in a hurry to trade the former Canadiens goaltender.

In an article published this morning on the Sportsnet website, respected journalist Eric Engels shared some answers Hughes provided to his questions and, of course, Carey Price was brought up.

His response will probably cool down some people’s expectations.

Kent Hughes is not as eager to trade Carey Price as fans and journalists are

Asked by Engels about the trade everyone is talking about but has yet to materialize, Kent Hughes didn’t beat around the bush. While just about everyone expects something to happen in the coming days, that’s not the case for him.

“I wouldn’t ever just expect anything to happen, because things don’t always happen when you want them to,” Hughes responded. “But we’ll continue to explore ways to create cap flexibility.”

“We’re fine, we don’t have to trade Carey Price,” he added. “If we can find a trade to move his contract that makes sense for us and makes sense for another team, we’ll pursue it. But we don’t have to.”

-Kent Hughes


Reading between the lines, we understand that Kent Hughes acknowledges the importance of gaining maneuverability with the salary cap, but he’s comfortable using the long-term injured reserve list for now, as has been the case in recent years.

So, for the moment, we can go back to talking about practices in Brossard, and the new rumors surrounding Mason McTavish.