Canadiens Kent Hughes Speaks On Decision at 1st Overall, Trading Pick

The Montreal Canadiens have three more weeks to prepare for the 2022 NHL Draft, and already the rumours are swirling about what they’re going to do with the 1st overall pick.

In a most recent interview with Ryan Novozinsky, sports reporter for nj.com, Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes detailed that the organization was still hard at work going over their data and tape to decide who they’ll be picking at 1st overall.

“To be perfectly honest, we don’t know yet,” said Hughes.

Similar to what has been echoed in the past by Hughes, the Montreal Canadiens aren’t yet ready to reveal their hand in the matter, which is a wise decision. Gone are the days when Tampa Bay would buy “Seen Stamkos” billboards leading up to the 2008 Draft to announce to the world who they’ll be picking. In a draft without a universal consensus at No. 1, a general manager like Hughes would be giving away any leverage he may have to organize trade for the 1st overall pick, should a club truly want the privilege of trading up and selecting 1st overall.

Speaking of trading the 1st overall pick, Novozinsky was able to ask the Montreal Canadiens about trade talks regarding their own 1st overall pick, as well as the possibility of acquiring the New Jersey Devil’s 2nd overall selection. Hughes responded to the best of his abilities, without giving away his positioning, as well as that of his Tri-state rival.

“I don’t want to comment on New Jersey out of respect for Tom Fitzgerald,” said Hughes when asked about trading the 1st overall pick or acquiring the 2nd overall pick, “But I will say we have not had conversations about trading our pick.”

A high-ranking NHL executive has confirmed to Montreal Hockey Now that talks between the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils for the 2nd overall pick hadn’t happened as of this weekend. Despite a strong appetite to make a big splash at the 2022 NHL Draft, especially after a recent segment from TVA Sport’s Maxim Lapierre, it appears the Montreal Canadiens are keeping their options open as they get set for the first big step in their roster transformation on July 7.

Just got off the phone with Canadiens GM Kent Hughes.

I straight up asked: “Wright or Slafkovsky?” He said:

“To be perfectly honest, we don’t know yet.”

— Ryan Novozinsky (@ryannovo62) June 14, 2022