We now know that Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens attempted a big move on NHL trade deadline day. We also know, of course, that it didn’t work out.

It was Kent Hughes himself who confirmed that he had tried something significant.

Meanwhile, Elliotte Friedman added more to the story, revealing that the Habs tested the waters on superstar Mikko Rantanen before his trade to Dallas.

If it didn’t work out for Rantanen, don’t think for a second that Kent Hughes is giving up-far from it.

The Montreal Canadiens have star forward Mitch Marner in their sights

Marner is reportedly a major target for Kent Hughes, and we should expect the Habs to make him a contract offer this July.

In short, it’s clear that the Montreal Canadiens will be in the market for a star forward this summer, and according to a new report from The Athletic , that star forward could be Mitch Marner.

As the excellent Chris Johnston points out, the NHL salary cap increase could allow Kent Hughes to make a big splash in the free-agent market.

Will that big splash be named Mitch Marner?

They’re going to try hard, that’s for sure!

Over the past few seasons, Marner has quietly maintained an impressive 82-game point pace of 104, 101, 101, 110, and 100.

Can you imagine a top-6 composed of:

Demidov-Suzuki-Marner
Caufield-Hage-Slafkovsky

It would make every Habs fan dream!