The 2025 NHL Draft was buzzing with speculation, and few rumors caught the attention of fans quite like the whispers linking the Montreal Canadiens to highly touted Quebec center Caleb Desnoyers. As draft day approached, anticipation built around the possibility of Montreal making a bold move to secure the fourth overall pick from the Utah Mammoth—a selection that ultimately landed Desnoyers in Utah.

Behind the scenes, however, negotiations were far more complex than most realized. New details have emerged about just how steep the Mammoth’s asking price truly was, revealing why the Canadiens’ pursuit never materialized. As insiders shed light on Utah’s demands, it’s become clear that acquiring Desnoyers would have required Montreal to part with one of its franchise cornerstones.

The story of what could have been has sparked debate among fans and analysts, highlighting the high-stakes decisions that define NHL draft day drama.

Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Just before the 2025 NHL Draft, numerous rumors linked the Montreal Canadiens to young center Caleb Desnoyers.

Several insiders reported that 1) the Utah Mammoth’s first-round pick (4th overall) was indeed available for trade, and 2) the Montreal Canadiens were interested in acquiring that pick.

The goal was clearly to draft the young Quebec forward Caleb Desnoyers, who did in fact go 4th overall to Utah.

But that’s not all.

In the past few hours, new information has surfaced regarding this situation.

The Utah Mammoth were asking for an extremely high price in exchange for the 4th overall pick in 2025 and Caleb Desnoyers

We know the Canadiens really liked Caleb, and that he would have filled a huge need in Montreal, but we now understand why it didn’t happen.

According to reputable insider David Pagnotta, in exchange for the 4th overall pick in 2025, the Utah Mammoth were asking the New York Islanders for.. Mathew Barzal!

Nothing less!

So imagine what Kent Hughes would’ve had to give up in order to land Caleb Desnoyers.

It likely would have cost Nick Suzuki, which is obviously completely off the table. At best, it would have cost someone like Juraj Slafkovsky or Cole Caufield-which also seemed like a non-starter.

Hughes and Jeff Gorton ultimately made the right call by letting the opportunity to select Desnoyers pass.

David Pagnotta: Re Utah and the 4th overall pick: “They wanted Matt Barzal; I was told by someone with the Islanders, we like James Hagens, but we don’t like him that much”

– Sekeres and Price

It’s at the 18-minute mark of the episode.

So yes, the Utah pick was technically available, but let’s just say it wasn’t exactly attainable in practice.