Montreal Canadiens Hold onto Key Players at NHL Trade Deadline

As the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline approached, the Montreal Canadiens were in a precarious position, just outside the playoff race. General Manager Kent Hughes decided to retain key players, including defenseman David Savard and forward Joel Armia, after the team won five consecutive games, shifting their strategy from selling to holding. Despite high interest in Savard and Armia from other teams, Hughes opted to reward the players' recent performance and maintain team cohesion. The Canadiens' captain, Nick Suzuki, expressed a desire to keep the group intact, influencing Hughes's decision-making. While some analysts suggested the Canadiens could benefit from trading Savard for high draft picks, the team's current momentum and potential playoff aspirations ultimately led to a decision to stand pat. The Canadiens are now focused on integrating their younger talent while navigating the remainder of the season with their existing roster.