Montreal Canadiens fans, brace yourselves—an unexpected wave of change is sweeping through the team’s roster, and the implications are nothing short of game-changing.

After years of navigating the tight constraints of the salary cap, General Manager Kent Hughes has just pulled off a move that could redefine the team’s future.

By orchestrating a strategic trade that sent Carey Price’s hefty contract to San Jose, the Canadiens have suddenly unlocked nearly $5 million in cap space—a financial windfall that opens the door to possibilities fans could only dream about a season ago.

But what does this newfound flexibility really mean for Montreal’s ambitions? With the shackles of the long-term injured reserve finally removed, Hughes now has the power to pursue high-impact upgrades without sacrificing the team’s core assets.

The rumor mill is already churning, with whispers of top-tier centers who could transform the Canadiens’ offensive firepower and push the team closer to contention.

Who are the names on Hughes’ radar? What bold moves could be on the horizon? And how will these decisions shape the next chapter for a franchise hungry for success?

The answers are tantalizingly close, and the stakes have never been higher. Read on to discover the two game-changing targets the Canadiens can now afford.

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes

Photo credit: NHL

By giving themselves nearly $5 million in salary cap flexibility, the Canadiens are now ready to move to the next step: acquiring a center for their 2nd line.

Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens just made a major move by trading Carey Price’s contract (simultaneously freeing $10.5M in cap space) to the Sharks in exchange for Gannon Laroque, a long-term injured defenseman, and a 5th-round pick. Here we go into more detail about the Canadiens’ new acquisition.

The result? According to PuckPedia, the Canadiens now have $4,568,333 of space under the $95.5M cap, without relying on the long-term injured reserve. That’s huge! No more LTIR constraints-Kent Hughes now has real room to make moves.

Here are the two centers the Canadiens can afford with this space

With this cap room, the Canadiens can target a top-6 center to strengthen their offense. Two names circulating in rumors that fit the budget: Jared McCann and Pavel Zacha.

McCann, with a $5M cap hit (through 2026-27), is an offensive machine.

He can play center, has scored more than 60 points three seasons in a row with the Seattle Kraken, and his salary is perfect for the Canadiens.

Zacha, at $4.75M (Boston), is another interesting fit. This 6-foot-3 forward has produced between 47 and 59 points in recent seasons and could be a reliable 2nd-line center.

If the Canadiens decide not to make a move immediately, this trade gives them the flexibility to absorb performance bonuses (like those of Hutson or Demidov) or aim for a major acquisition at the trade deadline. Hughes freed this space without sacrificing major assets-just a 5th-round pick!

With McCann or Zacha as potential targets, the Canadiens can dream of a stronger offense. Which one would you target?