The Montreal Canadiens had no problem trading within the 2026 NHL Draft as they would complete five trades over the seven rounds. However, those trades don't help the NHL roster now, and that is where the frustration has been for general manager Kent Hughes.
After the first round on Friday night, Hughes admitted how frustrated he is at this point with how much he has been working the phones. "I can't speak for everybody else, but Gorton says I spend 10 times more time on the phone than I need to," Hughes said. "But when you're going through the process and until you get the result, it's frustrating. If you try to make a trade, you think you made a really good offer, and it doesn't happen, it's frustrating."
If the rumors have been any indication, the Montreal Canadiens have certainly been busy. They have been connected to some of the obvious trade targets, like Matthew Knies, and even made what has been called a "borderline insane" trade offer for Kirill Marchenko.
It feels like those are the types of offers that are going to need to get made based on some of the agreed-upon trades so far this offseason. Hughes seems to understand that and is willing to accept that it is the price to add a player who can help immediately.
"If you want a player that you know is established and capable of helping in today's market right now, you're going to pay a pretty significant price, and that doesn't scare us."
Kent Hughes believes there is still plenty of time to find that player for the Montreal Canadiens
As much as fans would love to see the Canadiens make a move now or have already made a move, Kent Hughes is going to remain patient. He still believes there is a deal out there, but it might not come until later in the summer or even during the season.
"I am confident we are going to be able to do something. I can't tell you when but I feel like we're in a position to do it. We'll just do it when it makes sense."
This summer, the free agent class is widely considered one of the weaker ones in recent memory. That could spur more action in the trade market and give the Canadiens more opportunities.
While the Canadiens absolutely want to make moves to improve the roster, and it sounds like Hughes is trying, it also sounds like they are not going to make a trade for the sake of making a trade. Everyone is just going to be left in a constant state of frustration until that time comes, even if it means waiting deep into the offseason.
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