Patrik Laine to Montreal: the rumors were false, and Eric Engels was right

This is a very good move by Kent Hughes, who frees up a left-handed defenseman with little future in Montreal while acquiring a goal-scorer and a second-round pick.

We've been writing about this topic for weeks, with many insiders and analysts believing that Kent Hughes was working hard on the deal.

Eric Engels was the first to oppose these rumors, stating that the Canadiens' interest was minimal, if not nonexistent.

He wasn't entirely wrong, as we've just learned that discussions between the two clubs only started this past weekend.

So, we can say that Kent Hughes' strategy of keeping cap space available has once again paid off.

He acquired Sean Monahan along with a first-round pick, and now Patrik Laine with a second-round pick.

He only gave up Jordan Harris in all of this, which clearly shows that by keeping some cap space, the possibilities are vast.

If Patrik Laine plays well, the Canadiens will have the choice to keep him or trade him for another valuable return.