{"id":434268,"date":"2026-01-26T12:26:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T12:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/434268\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T12:26:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T12:26:13","slug":"kent-hughes-reveals-the-best-acquisition-of-his-career-with-the-montreal-canadiens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/434268\/","title":{"rendered":"Kent Hughes reveals the best acquisition of his career with the Montreal Canadiens"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\t\t\t \"Photo <\/p>\n

Photo credit: Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n

It’s already been four years – hard to believe – since Kent Hughes became the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens.<\/p>\n

On January 18, 2022, Hughes officially became the 18th GM in franchise history.<\/p>\n

At the time, the organization was mainly searching for direction.<\/p>\n

It’s rare to see a GM put himself out there like this, but Kent Hughes has now revealed his greatest point of pride, four years after being hired.<\/p>\n

The masterstroke – Hughes’ best move – didn’t come in the top five picks (although Ivan Demidov isn’t far off).<\/p>\n

Lane Hutson is Kent Hughes’ best acquisition and his greatest source of pride<\/p>\n

The defenseman was selected in the second round, 62nd overall, at the 2022 NHL Draft – 62nd overall, just imagine!<\/p>\n

Today, that addition looks like a true steal, and the Bell Centre knows it.<\/p>\n

“Lane Hutson, Kent Hughes’ greatest source of pride four years after his hiring. Hutson (the 62nd pick in the 2022 draft) is his best defenseman, a Calder Trophy winner, a defenseman who will likely finish the season at a point-per-game pace, a player who will be among the five Norris Trophy finalists, and he will earn “only” $8.85 million starting next season, through 2034.”<\/p>\n

– DLC<\/p>\n

His 2024-2025 rookie season is already etched into Canadiens history.<\/p>\n

Hutson played 82 games, recording 6 goals and 60 assists for 66 points.<\/p>\n

It all ended with the Calder Trophy in his hands.<\/p>\n

Hughes didn’t just draft a defenseman – he drafted a modern identity for the Canadiens.<\/p>\n

“The team pulled off a daylight robbery by selecting Lane Hutson late in the second round. A small defenseman overlooked because of his size, but gifted with phenomenal hockey sense and offensive tools that need no further description here.”<\/p>\n

– TVA Sports<\/p>\n

When your 62nd pick becomes a Calder winner, you’ve just bought time, credibility, and transformed your franchise.<\/p>\n

A true hockey story the way we love them.<\/p>\n

At just 21 years old, Hutson has become the face of the Hughes era, and that’s invaluable.<\/p>\n

The GM can talk about patience, development, and culture – but more importantly, he has proof skating every night at the Bell Centre.<\/p>\n

And when you have that kind of proof, you sleep better the night before the trade deadline.<\/p>\n

Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n

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