Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has been making waves across the NHL landscape this summer, fueling excitement and speculation among fans and insiders alike.

After successfully acquiring Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc, Hughes shows no signs of slowing down, leaving the door wide open for yet another blockbuster move before the 2025-26 season kicks off.

With rumors swirling and multiple names linked to Montreal, the Canadiens find themselves at the center of a potential bidding war for some of the league’s most promising forwards.

From Mason McTavish and Marco Rossi to Jason Robertson and Nazem Kadri, the possibilities seem endless—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Behind closed doors, Hughes is reportedly engaged in ongoing discussions with GMs around the league, exploring every possible avenue to strengthen his roster.

The intrigue doesn’t stop there, as whispers of a near-completed deal for Jordan Kyrou and unexpected interest in Pavel Zacha have fans on the edge of their seats.

Could Hughes pull off another surprise and reshape Montreal’s future in ways nobody saw coming?

The answers remain shrouded in mystery, and what happens next could send shockwaves through the NHL. Don’t miss the full story behind this summer’s most captivating rumors.

Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes

Photo credit: All Habs

Kent Hughes has been very active since the start of the summer of 2025 and, after acquiring Noah Dobson and Zachary Bolduc, the GM doesn’t seem opposed to completing another trade before the start of the next campaign.

While a few names have been linked to the Montreal Canadiens in rumors, one forward in particular shouldn’t be ruled out as a potential option.

Could Kent Hughes pull another rabbit out of his hat before the 2025-26 season begins? For now, he still seems to be having multiple discussions with his counterparts around the NHL.

Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks is strongly linked to the Canadiens, and according to recent information, Montreal is reportedly in a three-team race to try and land the young forward.

Marco Rossi’s name has also been active in rumors for several weeks, and his future with the Minnesota Wild remains unclear. Talks between Rossi and GM Bill Guerin are reportedly at a standstill.

In Dallas, Jim Nill isn’t in a hurry to make an official decision about Jason Robertson, but the situation is far from ideal and he too could be traded soon.

Nazem Kadri would like to play for the Montreal Canadiens or the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, it’s unknown whether Kent Hughes actually has any interest in the 34-year-old center.

Kent Hughes is certainly open to acquiring Jordan Kyrou, and that trade reportedly came very close to being completed. Doug Armstrong is still open to sending his forward to a new team, but the return must meet his expectations.

Don’t Count Pavel Zacha Out, But Kent Hughes Would Have to Strike a Deal with the Boston Bruins

Jimmy Murphy appeared on The Sick Podcast and shared some very interesting thoughts about Pavel Zacha.

For now, it’s only speculation and there’s no indication that Boston wants to part with Zacha.

But according to Murphy, it’s not impossible to see the forward traded, and he’s clearly an intriguing profile if the Canadiens are looking to acquire a top-six center.

However, to get him, Kent Hughes would have to manage to complete a trade with the Boston Bruins. Good luck, Kent!