Since stepping into the role of general manager for the Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes has been on a mission that goes far beyond wins and losses.

His vision was clear: transform Montreal into a destination that players genuinely want to call home—a place where talent thrives, and the culture inspires loyalty and excitement. Now, whispers from behind the scenes suggest that Hughes may have achieved what many thought impossible.

Recent revelations from respected insiders hint at a remarkable shift in how NHL players and their agents view the Canadiens organization.

There’s talk of glowing reviews, unexpected endorsements, and a growing buzz that’s putting Montreal back on the map for top talent. But what exactly did Hughes hear from these well-known player agents?

And how could this newfound reputation impact the team’s future—especially when it comes to chasing big names and blockbuster deals?

Is the era of Montreal struggling to attract stars finally over? Why are agents suddenly so eager to share positive feedback with Hughes?

The answers could reshape the narrative around the Canadiens for years to come. Dive into the full story to uncover the details behind this surprising transformation and what it means for the future of hockey in Montreal.

Photo of Kent Hughes

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From the moment he arrived as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, beyond the victories, Kent Hughes mentioned what his primary goal as GM was.

He wanted to create a serious environment conducive to winning and success, but above all, he wanted to create an environment that made players want to come play in Montreal.

He wanted players to love playing for Montreal.. Well, he can now say “mission accomplished!”

As reported notably by the excellent Marc-Olivier Cook, player agents, including one in particular, contacted Kent Hughes to tell him that their clients often speak highly of the Canadiens.

Wow!

When the time comes to try to acquire other big names, like Mason McTavish and company, it’s going to make a huge difference!

Player agents confirmed to Kent Hughes that their clients often speak highly of the Montreal Canadiens

This is fantastic news!

We can really hope to say that the era when the best players never signed in Montreal is over!

This aligns with what Chris Johnston mentioned regarding Mason McTavish, but everything indicates that the young player would certainly not say no to playing for the Montreal Canadiens (a bit like Noah Dobson) if the opportunity arose.

On the air at BPM Sports, journalist Renaud Lavoie confirmed, after speaking with Kent Hughes, that NHL player agents had shared such confidences with him.

Montreal is generating a lot of positive buzz among NHL players right now.

“The Canadiens’ GM told him that several agents had said their clients spoke highly of the team.. and the TVA Sports journalist recalled the Noah Dobson trade as an example.”

– DLC

We can truly think that the era when it was always said that players didn’t want to play here is over.