Photo credit: IG Haydenpaupanekis
We often talk about Kent Hughes’ smart moves on the NHL trade market, but here’s another example that has flown under the radar.
In August 2023, Kent Hughes acquired Jeff Petry, Nathan Légaré, Casey DeSmith, and a 2025 second-round pick (in a trade completed with the Pittsburgh Penguins).
In return, Montreal gave up almost nothing.. Hughes sent Rem Pitlick and Mike Hoffman to the Penguins.
Following this trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Kent Hughes completed the following two trades:
Jeff Petry for Gustav Lindstrom and a 2025 fourth-round pick (with the Red Wings).
Casey DeSmith for Tanner Pearson and a 2025 third-round pick (with the Canucks).
Let’s set aside Lindstrom and Pearson.
What matters here is what Hughes did with the 2025 third-round and fourth-round picks.
Well yes.. He traded those two picks (2025 third-round and 2025 fourth-round) to the Boston Bruins in order to move up in the draft and get his hands on the big 6-foot-5, 200-pound center, Hayden Paupanekis.
What brilliant asset management!
Paupanekis, 18 years old, is indeed a 6-foot-5, 200-pound center who recorded 19 points in 32 games last season in the WHL with the Kelowna Rockets, as well as 24 points in 39 games with the Spokane Chiefs.
We’re really looking forward to following his development, especially since he truly impressed at the most recent Habs development camp.
Previously on HabsFanatics