Recent top-five pick Kent Johnson to be traded to Montreal?

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Aaron Itovitch
April 3, 2024 (4:21 PM)

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Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes

Photo credit: Sportsnet

During a recent press conference, the General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes, told reporters that he would be a buyer at the upcoming draft, indicating that he might complete another transaction.

Indeed, the CH's management knows that it needs to provide new offensive weapons to Martin St-Louis if they want to potentially help the team qualify for the playoffs. It wouldn't be surprising if the Canadiens' GM uses one of his first-round picks as well as one of his numerous defensemen to make an acquisition similar to those of Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook.

"The Montreal Canadiens will look to add a top-6 forward to their ranks this summer, and there are a few options that could fit the bill." - Marco D'Amico

As we mentioned a few weeks ago, a particular player might currently be available on the trade market. This is the former fifth overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021, the young center, Kent Johnson.

Despite his undeniable talent, he does not seem to be in the good graces of his head coach as Pascal Vincent systematically refuses to give him a chance in the top 6. Moreover, the 21-year-old was even relegated to the American League this season, a situation that reportedly created significant internal friction, to the extent that Kent Johnson's entourage advised him to request a trade.

In the last few hours, Marco D'Amico has notably published a very interesting piece about the players Kent Hughes might try to acquire. According to him, the three players who could possibly arrive in Montreal this summer are Trevor Zegras, Martin Necas, and Kent Johnson.

Honestly, the Blue Jackets forward could represent a very attractive option to strengthen Martin St-Louis' top 6. Although he has faced some difficulties this year (16 points in 42 games), he still accumulated 40 points in his first season in the NHL in 2022-2023.

Furthermore, as Marco D'Amico so aptly pointed out, Kent Johnson finds himself in a situation very similar to that of Kirby Dach when he was with the Chicago Blackhawks. Being only 21 years old, there's no doubt he is far from having reached his full potential, being perceived as one of the most promising forwards of his draft class.

"The talented forward finds himself in a situation almost identical to that of Kirby Dach with the Chicago Blackhawks; he showed promise in his rookie season but was hindered by a lack of opportunities and injuries that seemingly halted his momentum.

After a successful shoulder operation and a 40-point campaign to his name, Johnson could be an interesting addition for the Montreal Canadiens, who have had success with their recent projects." - Marco D'Amico

If the Blue Jackets asked for the Winnipeg Jets' first-round pick, Jayden Struble, and Filip Mesar for Kent Johnson, would you do it?

Previously on habslatest

Martin St-Louis confirms two disappointing updates after Panthers game

Heartbreaking announcement from Boone Jenner on his newborn son

Juraj Slafkovsky and Arber Xhekaj demolish Panthers' Steven Lorentz

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3 AVRIL \| 163 ANSWERS Recent top-five pick Kent Johnson to be traded to Montreal? Would you trade Jayden Struble, Filip Mesar, and Winnipeg's first-rounder for Kent Johnson?
Yes	41	25.2 %
No	122	74.8 %
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