October 14, 2025 | 10:59am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

CANADIENS WORKING ON EXTENSIONS FOR HUGHES, GORTON

Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes

The Montreal Canadiens appear to be closing in on contract extensions with EVP of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton and GM Kent Hughes.

As reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the “process” of getting Hughes and Gorton locked up to new deals is “close to its conclusion.”

Gorton was hired by Montreal on November 28, 2021, after six seasons as GM of the New York Rangers. Canadiens owner Geoff Molson prevented other teams from speaking with Gorton “on at least three occasions,” according to Friedman.

As TFP’s David Pagnotta reported in the spring, the New York Islanders were interested in interviewing Gorton for either a President or GM role, but their request was declined.

Hughes was hired as the 18th GM in Habs history on January 18, 2022. During his tenure, thus far, he drafted the likes of Juraj Salfkovsky first-overall in 2022, David Reinbacher fifth-overall in 2023 and Ivan Demidov fifth-overall in 2024, and has traded for such players as Kirby Dach, Patrik Laine and Noah Dobson.

An formal announcement may come as early as today.