Canadiens GM Kent Hughes might attempt astounding move at the draft!

The Canadiens’ fanbase is still wondering who general manager Kent Hughes will select first overall at the upcoming NHL Draft, which takes place in Montreal on June 7. However, they might also need to get ready for a stunning move that could re-write history.

That’s because TSN’s Darren Dreger recently reported that Hughes and Executive Vice President Jeff Gorton, known to be aggressive in moving picks at the draft, could stun everyone and pull a rare feat in Montreal.

On top of having the first overall pick, the Habs also hold another first-round pick (26th overall) in addition to two second-round picks (33rd and 62nd overall), and more in the following rounds, for a grand total of 14 picks.
Dreger recently claimed that the Canadiens could try to get the second overall pick, the one currently belonging to the New Jersey Devils.

“Habs general manager Kent Hughes may not sleep until August. He’s got a lot going on right now, including looking at the draft, to augment the first pick overall. The Montreal Canadiens are going to try and move up in other areas of the draft. They’ve got 14 picks. You’re not going to sign 14 drafted players. A crazy thought that’s been drifting around the National Hockey League – what if Ken Hughes and management of the Montreal Canadiens were able to land the second pick overall as well from the New Jersey Devils? It seems a tad absurd, but anything is possible. If New Jersey is moving that pick, they’ve got to get a real significant impact player in return.”

Such a tour de force has not been pulled since 1999 when a similar feat took place. That’s when then Vancouver Canucks GM Brian Burke managed to get his hands on both the second and third overall picks to select the twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Decades later, it’s easy to say Burke pulled an extraordinary feat that paid off.

Can you imagine how wild the crowd in Montreal would get if Kent Hughes manages to select the two of the best prospects available in Shane Wright, Juraj Slafkovsky or even Logan Cooley? He would have to offer the Devils something substantial to convince them to let such a high pick go, but New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald has already mentioned he’s open to trading his pick for immediate help.

This is a tour de force in the making that we must keep an eye on!