Trading frenzy has been in full swing across the NHL over the past 24 hours, but all signs indicate that the Montreal Canadiens will not be the most active team before the trade deadline on Friday at 3 p.m. Habs players have repeated over the past week that they are happy with the current roster, which is once again healthy. General manager Kent Hughes has already filled a few gaps since the start of the season, adding forwards Alexandre Texier and Phillip Danault to the roster. Hughes currently seems handcuffed in terms of the number of players on his roster and does not have much room to manoeuvre under the salary cap. He has also not made any big moves at the trade deadline since taking over in January 2022. Last year, captain Nick Suzuki made an emotional plea, asking Hughes not to trade away veterans in the final year of their contracts in the hope of making a push for the playoffs. The team then managed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2021, losing in the first round in five games to the Washington Capitals. This time around, it’s likely that if Hughes makes a trade, it will be to add some depth to his core. If he wants to make a big splash, he could also try to find a short-term solution to the team’s problems in front of the net. However, this could undermine the cohesion in the dressing room. Hughes also has a hot potato on his hands: forward Patrik Laine. Laine no longer seems to be part of the team’s plans, having played only five games this season before suffering an abdominal injury. Laine is in the final year of a contract that has an impact of US$8.7 million on the team’s payroll. Hughes may have to offer a draft pick or a prospect if he wants to get rid of Laine. Before Friday’s games, the Canadiens held the first of two additional wild card spots in the Eastern Conference with 75 points. They are fourth in the Atlantic Division and three points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets, the best team outside the playoff picture in the East. The Canadiens face the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night. They will then take on the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday before returning to Montreal. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 6, 2026.
