In exchange for Dach, Hughes sent the Chicago Blackhawks a first-round pick (13th overall) and a third-round pick in the 2022 draft. The Blackhawks selected centre Frank Nazar, who has scored 14-23-37 this season at the University of Michigan, and winger Gavin Hayes, who has scored 17-18-35 in 24 games with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds.
In return for Newhook, Hughes handed the Colorado Avalanche a first-round pick (31st overall) and a second-round pick at the previous year’s draft. Defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev, who has 4-8-12 totals in 64 games this season with the KHL’s Omsk Avangard, was chosen by Colorado with the first-round pick. The Tampa Bay Lightning selected winger Ethan Gauthier after the Avalanche traded them their second-round selection. In 59 games this season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL, he has a record of 33-31-64.
Hughes will have two first-round picks in the next draft for the third year in a row. It would be shocking if he didn’t sell at least one of them—likely as part of a package deal—in order to acquire an offensively capable forward under the age of 24.
Hughes owns 12 picks for the current draft and another 12 for the following one. He will have two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and three third-round picks in 2025. With those 24 picks and a plethora of young defensemen with the Canadiens or already drafted, Hughes has a plethora of options at the draft table for trades.
