The rumor is now confirmed by Kent Hughes, and it's very intriguing

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David St-Jean
June 5, 2024 (9:44 PM)

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Montreal Canadiens' General Manager, Kent Hughes, has just confirmed a rumor that has been circulating for some time.

It's no surprise to anyone that he's looking to add a top 6 forward to his lineup, but now he has officially confirmed it.

All the general managers are currently gathered in Buffalo, making it the perfect time for Hughes to leverage his negotiating skills.

Montreal Canadiens General Manager, Kent Hughes, acknowledged and confirmed that he would be open to being a buyer in June [on the trade market], as he was during the last two drafts: "If we see another opportunity at the draft, we will look to continue on that trend."

- Kent Hughes, via The Fourth Period

This means Hughes is looking to make a splash before or during the draft, similar to his moves in the past two years with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook.

The names of Trevor Zegras and Martin Necas have been linked to the Canadiens, and reliable sources confirm that Kent Hughes has contacted the GMs of the Hurricanes and Ducks to discuss them.

It's also known that Zegras and Necas are on the market, with Necas potentially being traded this week. The Hurricanes need to trade him before July 1 to avoid several complications.

There are also several other players available this year that fit Hughes' vision, such as Marco Rossi, Kaapo Kakko, Cole Perfetti, and others.

Expect an announcement from the Canadiens in the coming days!