Trade Completed Between the Canadiens and Kings Ended Up Costing Kent Hughes Far Less Than Expected
Let's revisit an incredible trade pulled off by Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes.
I don't want to get too carried away, but it's hard to find a better trade in the history of the Montreal Canadiens.
We're talking about a trade initially made between the Habs and the Kings to simplify things, but in reality, it all started with a trade between the Habs and the Calgary Flames-one that led to two incredible trades for Kent Hughes (one with Los Angeles and one with the New York Islanders).
Let's break it down.
The Best Trade in Montreal Canadiens History?
The initial trade is already impressive, but what Kent Hughes did afterward makes that first deal even more unbelievable.
Here's what happened:
1- On August 18, 2022, the Montreal Canadiens acquired Sean Monahan for free, along with what became the 16th overall pick in the 2025 Draft, in exchange for "future considerations."
To Montreal: Sean Monahan + 16th overall pick in 2025
To Calgary: Absolutely nothing
2- On February 2, 2024, the Canadiens traded Sean Monahan (who was acquired for free) to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 1st-round pick and a 3rd-round pick.
To Montreal: 2024 1st-round pick + 2027 3rd-round pick
To Winnipeg: Sean Monahan
Note: That 2024 1st-round pick became Michael Hage, after a trade with the Los Angeles Kings.
So if we sum it all up, Kent Hughes went from..
"Future considerations" (a.k.a. nothing)
To:
Michael Hage
16th overall pick in 2025
2027 3rd-round pick
To Montreal: Sean Monahan + 16th overall pick in 2025
To Calgary: Absolutely nothing
2- On February 2, 2024, the Canadiens traded Sean Monahan (who was acquired for free) to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 1st-round pick and a 3rd-round pick.
To Montreal: 2024 1st-round pick + 2027 3rd-round pick
To Winnipeg: Sean Monahan
Note: That 2024 1st-round pick became Michael Hage, after a trade with the Los Angeles Kings.
So if we sum it all up, Kent Hughes went from..
"Future considerations" (a.k.a. nothing)
To:
Michael Hage
16th overall pick in 2025
2027 3rd-round pick
But that's not all.
Later, Kent Hughes used that 16th overall pick in 2025-acquired completely for free back in 2022-to (yes, really) acquire Noah Dobson!
It's incredible.
So if we recap and build out the full tree of this absolutely insane trade, the Montreal Canadiens turned..
A 17th overall pick in 2025 + Emil Heineman + future considerations
into
Noah Dobson + Michael Hage + a 2027 3rd-round pick.
This is the kind of trade that can truly reshape a franchise.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 3 | 1058 ANSWERS Trade Completed Between the Canadiens and Kings Ended Up Costing Kent Hughes Far Less Than Expected Is this one of the best trade outcomes in Canadiens history? | ||
| Absolutely | 838 | 79.2 % |
| No | 220 | 20.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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