The Montreal Canadiens may have added Alexandre Texier, but don’t mistake that move for the end of Kent Hughes’ offseason agenda. If anything, it’s just another step in a broader plan that’s still very much in motion.
According to multiple league sources, Hughes is staying aggressive in his search to bolster the Canadiens’ top six. The Canadiens’ GM hasn’t taken his foot off the gas, continuing to work the phones and explore every available avenue.
One Western Conference executive put it plainly: *“Montreal is not done, that’s for sure. They’d still like to add a centre or a top-six player to their lineup.”
And it’s not just idle chatter. There’s real movement behind the scenes.
Scouts from across the NHL-particularly from the Western Conference-have been keeping a close eye on Montreal. The Canadiens are clearly in the thick of the trade market, and they’re not just window shopping.
Whether it’s a scoring winger, a playmaking center, or a veteran presence to steady the ship, Hughes is digging for a deal that fits both the present and the bigger picture.
One name that’s come up in speculation? Ryan O’Reilly.
The veteran center has been linked to trade rumors before, and now his name is surfacing again as a potential target for the Canadiens. TVA Sports’ Jean-Charles Lajoie went as far as to say that Hughes’ ideal trade partner would be Predators GM Barry Trotz, with O’Reilly being the player of interest.
That part isn’t all that surprising. O’Reilly fits the mold of what Montreal could use-leadership, faceoff dominance, and playoff pedigree. But what is surprising is who might go the other way in such a deal: Kaiden Guhle.
Yes, that Kaiden Guhle.
Lajoie suggested that Guhle’s name has come up in trade talks, and that’s enough to make any Habs fan pause. Guhle, 23, has shown flashes of being a top-pairing defenseman when healthy.
The problem is, health has been a recurring issue. Since making the jump to the NHL, Guhle has yet to play more than 70 games in a season.
His value is clear-he’s mobile, poised, and plays with bite-but durability concerns are starting to cast a shadow.
So the question becomes: is now the right time to move him, while his value is still high?
It’s a fair debate. On one hand, Guhle represents the kind of young, controllable blue-line talent teams covet.
On the other, if injuries continue to pile up, the Canadiens risk watching his trade value decline. That’s the gamble.
But if the return is Ryan O’Reilly?
That’s where things get murky. O’Reilly turns 35 in February, and while he’s still a reliable two-way center, the price-reportedly a first-round pick and an A-level prospect, per Pierre LeBrun-is steep. Including Guhle in a deal for a veteran on the back nine of his career would be a bold move, and one that would raise legitimate questions about asset management.
The Canadiens are clearly trying to thread a tough needle here: improve the roster now without compromising the rebuild-or retool, depending on how you frame it. That means Hughes has to be calculated.
Aggressive, yes. But not reckless.
Guhle’s name being out there doesn’t guarantee a move, and O’Reilly is just one of several potential targets. But the fact that Montreal is exploring these types of conversations tells us something important: this front office isn’t content with standing still. They’re looking for hockey trades-moves that make sense beyond just the next few months.
And with the Canadiens being one of the most heavily scouted teams in the league right now, don’t be surprised if something big is brewing. The pieces are on the board. Now it’s up to Hughes to make the right move.