Kent Hughes reportedly exploring another trade following the Danault move

The start of the season was strong, then November hit like a wall. The team went from a 9-3-0 start to a stretch where everything seemed fragile. That forced the organization to test solutions, sometimes quickly, sometimes repeatedly.

In recent weeks, Montreal has also put pressure on its own group. Alexandre Texier arrived on a one-year, $1M contract, and he already has 6 points in 15 games.

The club has also multiplied recalls, sending a clear message to the veterans.

The biggest move so far is indeed the arrival of Phillip Danault.

The Canadiens acquired him from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2026 second-round pick. Danault is 32 years old, had 5 points in 30 games at the time of the trade, and carries a $5.5M cap hit, with one more year remaining after this season. But even with Danault, the need is not permanently resolved.

Internally, Oliver Kapanen opened the season as the second-line center and has done very well, but it's understandable that Kent Hughes is also looking elsewhere. It can work for a while, but he's still young.

That's where David Pagnotta comes back into the picture. According to what's circulating, if a real opportunity presents itself for a second-line center, the Canadiens want to be ready to jump on it.

Montreal has draft picks, young players, and most importantly, flexibility to maneuver without backing itself into a corner. And when you look at the rumors, the St. Louis Blues keep coming up (with Robert Thomas), as well as Sidney Crosby.

In both cases, it depends on the price, the timing, and the player's approval, especially in Pittsburgh.

In short, Danault is an important step, but it looks more like a first chapter than the conclusion of Kent Hughes' work to build a strong center lineup.