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Transactions at the Habs: everything could come to a head as early as Monday

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 1:54 PM ET

Once again this year, we’ve been sold a very exciting and busy off-season via a number of rumours, but in the end, as is often the case, the NHL has been VERY quiet. However, the off-season isn’t over yet, and things are very likely to get moving in the coming weeks, if not days, as a number of files remain active.

Most of the files thought to be settled this summer are still open, so we’ll have to keep a very close eye on everything. Luke Hughes’ next contract, whose negotiations are at a standstill at the moment , is one of the files that should be settled soon, if Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is to be believed. Montreal Canadiens fans are keeping a very close eye on everything, as this could speed up negotiations in the case of Lane Hutson.

For Habs fans: Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald seems confident that he’ll get a deal done with Luke Hughes by training camp or before the season starts. That’s good news for Lane Hutson’s next deal, as it will add clarity as to where the RFA market is heading, both in AAV/term. https://t.co/q5MI1wuXiP –

Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) August 30, 2025

And now, if we stay with the Habs, well, if many of you are disappointed that Kent Hughes hasn’t been on the move for several weeks, you can be sure that the whole thing could unravel as early as Monday.

Why Monday? because Carey Price’s contract could very well be traded, given that he will have received his $5.5 M signing bonus, which is due to him on September 1, i.e. Monday.

Is it normal to look forward to Monday to see if the #CH will move Carey Price’s contract and make another trade?

I’m asking for a friend. Kent Hughes is used to closing a late summer deal. Stay tuned!#Habs #Canadiens pic.twitter.com/k6Zry65rmV– Marc-Olivier Beaudoin (@MOBeaudoin1) August 30, 2025

[content-ads] So it could very well be that Kent Hughes was waiting to dump that bonus, so he could then trade Price’s contract.Price’s contract is more attractive to a team that wants to go over the salary floor once that bonus is paid.

So we’re looking forward to Monday, as Kent Hughes may well already have a deal ready and waiting for Carey Price’s contract. This deal would clearly open the door to further moves by the Habs, as Hughes will have lightened his payroll, and will be able to move again without risking going over the 10% cap, the maximum allowed by the NHL in the off-season.

The Habs are currently close to $5 million over the cap, making it very difficult to make any trades, so as early as Monday, everything could be unblocked and unblocked for the Canadiens, and we could see another trade being made after Price’s contract. That’s why Monday is likely to be an exciting day, especially as Hughes has become accustomed to making moves a few weeks before the start of the season.

We’ll be keeping a very close eye on this one. spacer title=’En Rafale’] – Interesting.

I’m told Marc Bergevin is currently on a flight from Dallas to Montreal.

The question is: why? – Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) August 30, 2025

– What do you think?

“Hot take, Jonathan Sirois must return to the game against Toronto!” – @FLord_TV What do you think? @Olivier_BrettThe new episode of Au Fond des Filets https://t.co/upFwdryc2x#AFDF #CFMTL #sirois pic.twitter.com/mMT9RdZ2IX

– commissionathletique (@Commissionathl) August 28, 2025