In a summer filled with speculation and anticipation, the Montreal Canadiens have just lifted the curtain on one of their most talked-about moves—yet what’s been revealed is far more dramatic than anyone could have predicted.

During a recent press conference, timed with the launch of season two of “The Rebuild: Inside the Montreal Canadiens,” fans were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into the blockbuster Patrik Laine trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. But the real story goes much deeper than the headlines.

A newly released video clip from RDS captures the tense moments and critical decisions that shaped this high-stakes deal. Kent Hughes, the Canadiens’ general manager, made a surprising phone call before sealing the trade, seeking approval from none other than team captain Nick Suzuki.

Laine himself also appears in the footage, candidly sharing his personal motivations and revealing why Montreal was his only destination. These revelations don’t just add color to the transaction—they raise new questions about what truly happens behind closed doors in the NHL.

What exactly did Suzuki say? How did Laine’s passion for Montreal influence the negotiations? And what other secrets might be hidden in this unprecedented look at the Canadiens’ inner workings? The answers await, and the full story is more compelling than ever.

Photo of Kent Hughes and Patrik Laine

Photo credit: NHL

As we reported to you earlier today, the Montreal Canadiens held an interesting mid-summer press conference.

It was ultimately for the launch of season 2 of the series The Rebuild: Inside the Montreal Canadiens, and precisely about this series, RDS has just shared a very interesting first clip.

The Canadiens Reveal the Video of the Patrik Laine Trade

And yes, Kent Hughes made a very interesting second call before finalizing this deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Let’s recall that in this trade, the Canadiens sent young defenseman Jordan Harris to Columbus, in exchange for Patrik Laine and a 2026 second-round pick.

Before closing the deal, as shown in the video clip, Kent Hughes contacted his captain Nick Suzuki by phone, to make sure he was in favor of the trade and to ensure it would be a good thing for the locker room in Montreal.

We love it!

Suzuki immediately agreed and was very excited about the acquisition.

Also in the video, we see Patrik Laine share his vision of the trade, and mention how much he wanted to come to Montreal – and only to Montreal.

You can view how it all went down right here.

It gives a whole new perspective on this major trade.