A blockbuster move coming from Kent Hughes for a star forward?

The Canadiens will attempt to make a big splash in the trade or free-agent market, and we know exactly when.

Indeed, with the current situation of the Habs, everything is in place for Kent Hughes to try to bring in an exceptional player in the summer of 2025, just one year from now.

According to Georges Laraque, there is precisely a star player who intends to test the market, and that's Leon Draisaitl. Connor McDavid's right-hand man even has a destination in mind, but it will be difficult to make his new salary work.

Indeed, Draisaitl would like to go to Boston, but if Kent Hughes is aggressive enough in his offer, he could well decide to come to Montreal. At that point, it's all speculation.


However, with Jeff Gorton's past and his signing of Panarin in New York, we can expect a big move next summer. With a bunch of players as interesting as those who will be unrestricted free agents, it's now or never, especially since the Canadiens will have plenty of cap space.

1. Leon Draisaitl
2. Mikko Rantanen
3. Sidney Crosby
4. Mitchell Marner
5. Evan Bouchard
6. Victor Hedman
7. Gustav Nyquist
8. Brock Boeser
9. Carter Verhaeghe
10. Noah Dobson
11. Brock Nelson
12. Travis Konecny
13. Brad Marchand

There are several names on this list that shouldn't be available before the end of their contract, but others will be unrestricted free agents.

So it will be very interesting to see if the Hughes/Gorton duo can make a strong enough offer to secure the services of a notable star player.