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Kent Hughes signals another trade could be coming after the Danault move from L.A
After Danault, Kent Hughes is keeping the phone lines open: another trade could already be on the table.
The Montreal Canadiens brought Phillip Danault back from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. Danault is 32 years old and carries a $5.5M cap hit. The Kings retained nothing, and he will have one more season remaining after this one.
At the time of the trade, Danault had played 30 games in Los Angeles with five assists and no goals. In Montreal, it is also a symbolic return, as he played 360 games with the Habs between 2015 and 2021. The center situation has not disappeared, however.
After 38 games this season, the Habs hold a 20-12-6 record. The team has scored 127 goals and allowed 129, which explains why management continues to make moves. With a tight race and a schedule that waits for no one, every addition becomes a message to the locker room.
Kent Hughes is not done shopping
Internally, Montreal has also made a low-risk bet with Alexandre Texier. He is under contract for one year at $1M, and he has totaled six points in 15 games with the Montreal Canadiens. In recent days, Texier has also been at the center of discussions due to an injury, which further complicates roster depth.
Meanwhile, Oliver Kapanen has taken on important minutes at center. He is 22 years old and has recorded 20 points in 38 games, including eight goals, according to this season's statistics. That provides some breathing room, but it does not prevent Hughes from looking elsewhere.
David Pagnotta believes Kent Hughes is not done and ready to pull the trigger on another move.
"David Pagnotta: Re Canadiens/Danault trade: This is moreso to address the defensive responsibilities that they've lacked; if there's still an opportunity to bring in a 2C down the road, the Habs are gonna jump at it; that's still what they want."
- Sportsnet Today
- Sportsnet Today
In the rumor mill, two names keep coming up when talking about a true center: Robert Thomas and Sidney Crosby. Thomas carries an $8.125M cap hit, and Crosby carries an $8.7M cap hit, with a situation that also depends on the player's approval.
"I always think that where there's a will there's a way. So if something pops up, we'll figure it out." - Kent Hughes
If a clear opportunity presents itself, Montreal appears eager to be ready to strike quickly.
More details to come!
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