Kent Hughes hit a home run in the deal with the Flames, as the first-round pick could potentially be the second overall

The trade that brought Sean Monahan to Montreal a year and a half ago has been very lucrative for the Canadiens, and it's not done paying off. Monahan is a key player in the lineup, Kent Hughes received a conditional first-round pick to accept his contract, and the player could bring another first-round pick before March 8.

Let's focus on the acquired assets, namely the conditional first-round pick. Here is a table created by Andrew Zadarnowski in November, outlining the possibilities.


One scenario could offer the Canadiens a top-20 pick this year, while the other could be much more lucrative in 2025, potentially up to the second overall pick.



Kent Hughes will have plenty of choices for his future selection. With key Flames players potentially leaving, such as Jacob Markstrom, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev, and Noah Hanifin, the chances of the 2025 pick being a top-10 selection are quite good.

It's essential to remember that this pick was acquired for the simple reason of accepting Sean Monahan, who is one of the best forwards on the team and would still be with the Flames. Incredible!