Canadiens Rumors: Insider Says To Expect Montreal To Be Active This Offseason

Thursday, June 12, 2025
Montreal Canadiens players react after 2025 playoff loss.

The Montreal Canadiens are making noise ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. 

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report, Montreal is shaping up to be one of the most active teams on the trade market this summer. General manager Kent Hughes is reportedly exploring deals that could fast-track the Canadiens' rise from rebuilder to contender, with a clear focus on bolstering the top six and securing a long-term running mate for Ivan Demidov.

Montreal holds two mid-first-round picks (16th and 17th), plus additional second- and third-rounders, giving them ample ammunition to swing a trade. Whether that means moving up in the draft or acquiring an NHL-ready player, sources say Hughes is working the phones hard, with several big-name targets potentially in play.

A Top-Six Forward to Grow with Demidov

The Canadiens’ most immediate need appears to be at forward, particularly someone who can play alongside Demidov for the long haul. Friedman revealed that Montreal is actively seeking a player who can "grow together" with the dynamic Russian winger. With Kirby Dach struggling to stay healthy and Alex Newhook better suited for the wing, the team is hunting for a true second-line center.

Lyle Richardson added that Montreal could use one of its first-round picks, and even a prospect like Logan Mailloux, in a package to acquire a high-upside forward. Names like Minnesota’s Marco Rossi and Colorado’s Martin Nečas have surfaced in league chatter. Both are young, offensively skilled, and potentially available under the right conditions.

Moving Picks and Prospects for Immediate Impact

Montreal’s deep prospect pool makes them one of the few teams with the flexibility to chase premium talent. Hughes and Jeff Gorton could bundle a first-rounder with a second or prospect to move into the top 10 on draft day or swing a trade for a young NHLer ready to break out. Meanwhile, Friedman also noted defenseman Nicolas Hague as a name to watch, given the Habs’ interest and Vegas’s cap crunch.

While Hughes won't sacrifice the future for a quick fix, this is clearly a team ready to make calculated, bold moves. After a season that saw them return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021, the Canadiens are no longer in pure rebuild mode, they're in a position to contend, and the trade market may be their launch pad.

Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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