Elliotte Friedman Praises Kent Hughes on 32 Thoughts: “No GM Was More Aggressive Than Him”…read more…
In the latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman delivered a resounding endorsement of Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, calling him the most aggressive executive in the league this offseason. It’s high praise from one of hockey’s most trusted voices, and it reflects the bold strategy that Hughes has embraced as he attempts to steer the storied Canadiens back into contention.
“I don’t think there was a GM who was more aggressive out there than Kent Hughes,” Friedman said during the podcast, co-hosted with Jeff Marek. “He was involved in everything. If there was a player even potentially available, Hughes was checking in. His fingerprints were all over the market.”
The comments come as Montreal continues to reshape its roster following another season of rebuilding under Hughes and head coach Martin St. Louis. While the Canadiens have shown flashes of growth, especially among their young core, there’s been increasing pressure to accelerate the rebuild — a challenge Hughes seems determined to meet head-on.
Offseason Moves Signal a New Phase
Since taking over the GM role in early 2022, Hughes has built a reputation for being calculated, composed, and progressive. But the 2025 offseason has seen a noticeable shift in tone: Hughes is no longer just collecting assets — he’s making moves to win.
Among his most notable actions this summer:
Acquiring Trevor Zegras from Anaheim in a blockbuster trade that sent a package including prospects and a first-round pick the other way. Zegras, still just 24, adds flair, vision, and scoring to a lineup that has lacked offensive punch.
Signing veteran defenseman Brett Pesce to a four-year deal, bringing experience and stability to a blue line still developing around Kaiden Guhle and David Reinbacher.
Pursuing top-tier restricted free agents — though some efforts were rebuffed, league insiders reported that Hughes explored offer sheets, a bold move rarely seen in the modern NHL.
Shopping actively on the trade market, with reports indicating Montreal was in discussions around several high-profile names including Martin Necas, Patrik Laine, and even Carter Hart before his legal situation became public.
Building Around the Core
The Canadiens’ young core — including Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and goaltender Samuel Montembeault — has shown growth under Martin St. Louis, but questions remained about whether the team had enough support to take the next step. Hughes appears to be answering that question with urgency.
The addition of Zegras, in particular, could be transformational. A dynamic playmaker with charisma and creativity, Zegras instantly becomes one of the most exciting players in Montreal’s lineup. His chemistry with Caufield — a former teammate on Team USA — is something fans and coaches alike are eager to see develop.
“Trevor’s a player we’ve admired for a while,” Hughes said in his post-trade press conference. “He fits the style we want to play — fast, skilled, entertaining. But he’s also maturing, and we believe he’s ready to take on a larger role.”
Hughes’ aggressive approach is not without risk. Giving up premium assets for Zegras signals a commitment to winning sooner rather than later. Signing Pesce, a 30-year-old on a multi-year deal, bucks the trend of building strictly through youth. But for a market like Montreal — passionate, demanding, and long-starved for playoff success — a calculated gamble may be exactly what’s needed.
Insider Praise and League Reaction
Friedman’s remarks on 32 Thoughts have generated significant buzz in the hockey world. Jeff Marek added to the discussion, noting that Hughes “is changing the perception of what a rebuild looks like in the modern NHL.”
“He’s not waiting for everything to fall into place,” Marek said. “He’s going out there and pushing the pace. It’s very intentional. Montreal’s no longer sitting back — they’re asserting themselves in every conversation.”
Other GMs around the league have reportedly taken notice as well. One Eastern Conference executive, speaking anonymously to The Athletic, said: “Hughes is aggressive, but he’s smart. He’s not throwing assets around for the sake of headlines. There’s a vision behind what he’s doing.”
Balancing Now and the Future
Despite the flurry of activity, Hughes insists the Canadiens are not abandoning their long-term goals. Reinbacher, Lane Hutson, and Owen Beck remain key prospects in the pipeline. The team also holds multiple picks in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft, which many scouts believe could be as deep as 2015’s famed class.
“Our goal is sustainability,” Hughes reiterated. “We want to be competitive every year — not just for one playoff run. That means we still value development. But if we can make the team better now and tomorrow, we’ll do it.”
That dual focus may be what separates Hughes from some of his predecessors. While former GM Marc Bergevin was known for his aggressive trades, critics often accused him of sacrificing long-term potential for short-term fixes. Hughes, by contrast, appears to be threading the needle — balancing ambition with discipline.
Fanbase Reacts with Optimism
In a hockey-crazed city like Montreal, every move is dissected. But so far, the reaction to Hughes’ offseason aggression has been overwhelmingly positive. Social media has been flooded with praise for the Zegras deal and cautious optimism about the team’s playoff prospects.
Local columnist Marc-Antoine Godin of La Presse wrote: “For the first time in years, Canadiens fans are not just hoping for progress — they’re expecting it. That’s the Hughes effect.”
Looking Ahead
Training camp is still months away, but the Canadiens have already made one thing clear: the rebuild is evolving, and the bar is rising. Kent Hughes has earned respect across the NHL for his boldness, and as Elliotte Friedman noted, he’s set the tone for an offseason that could redefine the Habs’ trajectory.
As Montreal moves toward the 2025–26 campaign, fans can expect more fireworks. With cap space, assets, and ambition, Kent Hughes has made it clear — he’s not done yet.
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