Kent Hughes Blocked Canadiens' Top Prospect from Being Traded in Noah Dobson Deal

In search of elite defensive reinforcement, general manager Kent Hughes had expressed strong interest in Noah Dobson, a cornerstone of the New York squad.

However, one specific point quickly slowed the negotiations: the Islanders' request to acquire Michael Hage in return.

Drafted in the first round by the Canadiens in 2024, Hage is considered a key element of the organization's rebuild plan.

This center, with a creative game, excellent vision, and a natural offensive instinct, represents one of the faces of Montreal's future. For Hughes, the idea of giving up such a talent was simply inconceivable.

Despite the insistence of his counterpart Mathieu Darche, recently appointed head of the Islanders, Hughes held his ground. This firmness ultimately paid off.

The two men continued their discussions to find a formula that would allow each team to achieve its goals without destabilizing the Canadiens' future.

According to available information, the final agreement, concluded without including Hage, could still bring a significant improvement to Montreal's blue line. This scenario reflects Hughes' philosophy: building a competitive team in the short term while protecting its long-term assets.

By refusing to include Hage in the trade, the Canadiens' management sends a reassuring signal to their fans: the development and protection of young talent remain at the core of their vision.

The team does not intend to rush the process by sacrificing its best pieces, even to acquire an established player of Dobson's caliber.