3 Priorities for Kent Hughes and the Canadiens This Offseason

The Montreal Canadiens took another significant step forward this season. After years of rebuilding, developing young talent, and accumulating assets, the organization is no longer simply focused on the future. Expectations have changed. A playoff run has raised the bar, and fans will enter next season expecting the Canadiens to be a legitimate contender rather than a team fighting just to qualify.

That reality means general manager (GM) Kent Hughes faces one of the most important offseasons of his tenure. While the core is largely in place, several key decisions remain that could shape the direction of the franchise for years to come.

Managing Contracts and Difficult Decisions

One of Hughes’ biggest challenges this summer will be managing the organization’s contract situation. The most notable veteran situation involves Brendan Gallagher. Gallagher has been one of the most respected players of his generation in Montreal, but the reality is that the Canadiens must make decisions based on what is best for the team moving forward. A buyout remains a possibility as the organization looks to maximize its salary cap flexibility heading into a period where every dollar becomes more valuable.

Samuel Montembeault’s future will also be worth watching closely. After a difficult season, Hughes will need to determine how much value remains there and what role Montembeault should play moving forward. Whether that means keeping him, exploring trade possibilities, or restructuring the goaltending picture, it is another important file on the general manager’s desk. He very likely played his last game in Montreal, though.

Beyond the veterans, Hughes must also start planning for the future of several younger players. Ivan Demidov is quickly becoming one of the faces of the franchise and will eventually require a significant extension. Alex Newhook has continued to establish himself as an important part of the Canadiens’ forward group, while Jakub Dobes has elevated his stock tremendously with his strong play.

Then there is Kirby Dach. Perhaps no player presents a more complicated decision this offseason. Dach’s talent has never been questioned, but injuries and inconsistency have limited his impact. Hughes must decide whether offering a qualifying offer worth roughly $4 million makes sense for a player who still has plenty of upside but has yet to establish himself as a reliable long-term solution. These are not easy decisions, but they are the type of decisions successful organizations must get right.

Finding a True Second Line Centre

If there is one area where Montreal still has a clear weakness, it is at centre ice behind Nick Suzuki. Throughout the regular season, the Canadiens found ways to fill the hole. Oliver Kapanen handled responsibilities admirably at times, while Jake Evans and Phillip Danault played major roles when the games mattered most during the playoffs. Those players deserve enormous credit for what they accomplished.

However, long-term success requires more. The Canadiens have a special talent in Demidov. The young winger has already shown flashes of becoming one of the NHL’s most dangerous offensive players, but expecting him to drive a line entirely on his own would be unfair. Montreal must find a legitimate second-line centre capable of playing with Demidov and helping unlock his full offensive potential.

A true option would give head coach Martin St. Louis more flexibility throughout the lineup. It would create matchup problems for opponents, reduce the pressure on Suzuki’s line, and make the Canadiens significantly more dangerous offensively.

Finding that player will not be easy. Every team in the NHL is looking for quality centres, and those players rarely become available. Whether Hughes explores the trade market, free agency, or another creative solution, this remains the biggest roster need heading into next season.

Continuing to Build Through the Draft

While much of the attention will focus on the NHL roster, Hughes cannot afford to lose sight of the future. One of the biggest reasons the Canadiens are in their current position is because of strong drafting over the last several years. Players such as Demidov, Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher, Oliver Kapanen, and many others have strengthened one of the NHL’s most impressive prospect pools.

That work cannot stop simply because the team is winning now. Montreal currently owns eight selections in the 2026 NHL Draft, providing Hughes and his scouting staff with another opportunity to add talent to the pipeline. Even if some of those picks eventually become trade assets, maintaining a healthy prospect pool remains essential for long-term success.

The Canadiens have done an excellent job building that foundation. The next challenge is ensuring the pipeline remains strong while the NHL team continues pushing toward contention.

Hughes has accomplished a great deal since taking over as GM, but arguably his most important offseason has now arrived. Contract decisions, roster management, finding a true second-line centre, and continuing to build through the draft will all play major roles in determining what comes next for the Canadiens.

The rebuilding phase is largely behind them. Expectations have changed in Montreal, and with those expectations comes pressure. The good news for Hughes is that he has accumulated the assets, prospects, and flexibility needed to make meaningful improvements.