Here’s a look at five of the most impactful moves made by the Montreal Canadiens before October 14, 2025 - a stretch that helped reshape the franchise’s trajectory and solidify its young core. From savvy trades to a franchise-defining contract, GM Kent Hughes and his front office have been busy building something real in Montreal. Let’s break it all down.
5. Trading for Zachary Bolduc
On July 1 - a day that’s as much about hockey as it is about maple leaves north of the border - Kent Hughes pulled off a bold move. He sent 2021 first-round pick Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward Zachary Bolduc.
So far, Bolduc has shown flashes of what made him a first-rounder himself. He’s a lean, quick-release winger who doesn’t shy away from contact - a blend of finesse and grit that fits nicely into the Canadiens’ identity.
His start in Montreal has had its peaks and valleys, but 10 goals and 18 points early in the season suggest he’s finding his footing. More importantly, he’s giving the Habs something they’ve sorely lacked in recent years: reliable secondary scoring.
If he keeps trending upward, this could age into a very smart piece of business.
4. Drafting Alexander Zharovsky
With no first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft - both sent to the Islanders in the Noah Dobson deal - Montreal had to make their second-rounder count. And they may have struck gold at 34th overall with Alexander Zharovsky.
Zharovsky, a right-shot winger out of Ufa Tolpar in Russia, has been lighting up the KHL this season. Through 39 games, he’s put up 33 points - and he’s doing it as a teenager in one of the toughest pro leagues in the world. That puts him on pace for 50 points in 59 games, which would eclipse the 49-point season Ivan Demidov had last year - and Demidov was widely considered one of the best young Russians to come through the KHL in recent memory.
Zharovsky’s game is built on speed, a wicked release, and a nose for the net. He’s already a three-time KHL Rookie of the Month this season, and if his development continues on this path, the Habs may have landed a top-line scorer outside the first round.
3. Making Oliver Kapanen a Full-Time NHLer
Oliver Kapanen’s breakout has been one of the most pleasant surprises in Montreal this year. After a quiet debut season - just two points in 18 games - the 22-year-old Finn has exploded into a do-it-all center.
When Alex Newhook went down, Kapanen stepped up into the second-line center role and hasn’t looked back. He’s logging minutes on both the power play and penalty kill, showing poise beyond his years and a two-way game that’s becoming a real asset.
Even more impressive? He currently leads all NHL rookies in goals with 16.
That’s not a typo. Kapanen’s production, versatility, and hockey IQ have made him a core piece of the Canadiens’ youth movement.
And with the Olympics around the corner, fans should be excited to see how he performs on the international stage. He’s not just filling a roster spot - he’s earning it.
2. The Noah Dobson Sign-and-Trade
Just days before the Islanders used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft to select Matthew Schaefer, they made another headline-grabbing move - sending top-pairing defenseman Noah Dobson to the Canadiens.
Yes, it cost Montreal both of their 2025 first-rounders and rising fan-favorite Emil Heineman. But the return? A 25-year-old, right-shot blueliner in his prime, who’s now anchoring Montreal’s top pair and playing a massive role in their push for a division title.
Dobson has been everything the Canadiens needed on the back end - steady, smart, and productive. And they got him locked in for under $10 million a year.
In today’s NHL, securing a top-pairing defenseman at that price is a win. Plain and simple.
1. Locking Up Lane Hutson
When you’ve got a potential franchise cornerstone on your hands, you don’t wait around. That’s exactly what Kent Hughes did with Lane Hutson.
The Canadiens signed their Calder Trophy-winning defenseman to an eight-year, $70.8 million extension - a deal that carries an $8.85 million AAV and keeps him in Montreal through at least 2034.
And let’s be clear: this isn’t just a feel-good story. Hutson is shattering records at a historic pace.
He became the first defenseman in Canadiens history to hit 100 career points before turning 22. His vision, skating, and offensive instincts are already elite, and he’s only getting better.
This contract gives the Canadiens cost certainty and long-term stability on the blue line. Combine that with the fact they’ve already locked up Nick Suzuki (2030), Cole Caufield, Mike Matheson, and Kaiden Guhle (2031), plus Noah Dobson and Juraj Slafkovský (2033), and you start to see the blueprint for a sustainable contender.
Final Thoughts
These five moves - from the blockbuster Dobson trade to the savvy Zharovsky pick - show a front office that’s not just reacting, but building with purpose. Montreal’s core is young, skilled, and under contract.
The pieces are falling into place, and the Canadiens are no longer just a rebuilding team. They’re a rising one.
So, which move stands out the most to you? Would you shuffle the order? One thing’s for sure - Kent Hughes and company are making things interesting in Montreal again.