The Canadiens sit pretty in the playoff hunt, but GM Kent Hughes faces a ticking clock with pending RFAs like Kirby Dach, Zachary Bolduc, and Arber Xhekaj demanding tough calls. These aren't just summer worries; they could force Montreal's hand at the deadline, turning question marks into trade chips for immediate playoff muscle. With cap space tight and the Atlantic Division breathing down their necks, Hughes' next move hinges on who stays and who goes.

Kent Hughes wastes no time dialing up GMs even with the Olympic roster freeze in place, zeroing in on a right winger to juice the top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. The current rotation of Zach Bolduc and Alexandre Texier hasn't lit up the scoreboard, averaging under half a point per game despite solid possession numbers. Names like Jordan Kyrou from St.