Transaction Completed Between Montreal and Calgary: A Great Opportunity could Materialize for Kent Hughes

In other words, a first-round pick was acquired for free to absorb the contract of the 28-year-old forward.

The bright side of this trade carried out in 2022 is that the pick received was for a vintage dating three years later. Now, a lot can happen in the NHL over three seasons.

That's exactly what's happening in Calgary, as no fewer than four important players on the roster do not wish to extend their contract with the organization after the next season.

Indeed, according to information reported by Frank Seravalli, Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, and Mikael Backlund will test the free-agent market in the summer of 2024. The fourth player who had raised the same interest was Tyler Toffoli, but he has already been traded to New Jersey.

It's worth mentioning that if the Flames were to lose these key players without replacing them in the lineup for the 2024-2025 season, there is a real possibility that the club would seriously struggle at the time when the Canadiens will claim the profits during the draft. Under these conditions, a top 15 pick could materialize for Kent Hughes.

While numerous protection clauses are included with this draft pick, if the Canadiens were to obtain a pick in the top 15, after having absorbed Monahan's contract which has become an interesting cog for the team's leadership, it would become a massive home run for the CH.

Credit: HabsetLNH.com