Kent Hughes is still working the phones, and the Montreal Canadiens have not landed the impact trade fans expected by August.
Heading into the dog days of summer, the trade market has gone quiet for teams chasing that one true difference-maker.
Montreal finished 48-24-10 last season for 106 points, good for sixth overall in the NHL.
The Canadiens beat Tampa Bay in seven games and Buffalo in seven more. Carolina ended the run in five, taking the Eastern Conference final.
That kind of run raises the bar. It's also why Hughes keeps calling on players other teams consider untouchable.
He has said Montreal is at the point in its rebuild where overpaying for the right player finally makes sense.
Notice the wording. The right player, not just any name that pops up on a rumor list.
The right-shot defenseman Kent Hughes still needs
Lane Hutson quarterbacked the power play and racked up 78 points, but Montreal's blue line still lacks a true right-shot, top-four partner.
Zach Whitecloud keeps coming up. The Calgary defenseman managed 17 points in 78 games and doesn't need the puck to be effective.
According to David Pagnotta on the Hello Hockey podcast, Whitecloud remains available if the Flames decide to reshape their back end.
Josh Manson is the other name in circulation. The Colorado veteran put up 31 points in 79 games and plays with an edge Montreal could use.
Braden Schneider, only 24, checks the size, mobility and defensive boxes. He posted 18 points in 82 games for the Rangers.
Rasmus Ristolainen is the riskiest name on this list. He managed 14 points in 44 games for Philadelphia, and his game swings between simple and sloppy.
Broad Street Hockey has already floated Montreal as a landing spot if the Flyers move him before camp opens.
Ivan Demidov scored 62 points as a 20 year old and still needs a linemate who can finish what he creates.
Alex Newhook managed just 25 points in 42 games, limited by injuries, leaving an obvious hole next to Demidov.
So where does Hughes find that finishing winger? The names on his own call list are not cheap.
Ryan O'Reilly quietly produced 74 points in 81 games in Nashville, still wins draws and would upgrade Montreal's middle six overnight.
Steven Stamkos scored 42 goals and 66 points at 36, proof elite shooters age slower than elite skaters.
If the Predators ever lean into a real rebuild, either one becomes a fascinating call for Hughes to make.
Bo Horvat drove 57 points in just 68 games for the Islanders and wins nearly every draw he takes.
Montreal reportedly called about Horvat last month and got told no. That kind of answer usually means the price just went up.
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Bryan Rust put up 65 points in 72 games for Pittsburgh, relentless on every shift he takes.
Rickard Rakell added 48 points in 60 games and brings a full postseason resume of his own.
Jared McCann scored 40 points in only 52 games for Seattle, proof he can still finish when healthy.
Teuvo Teravainen managed 35 points in 75 games for Chicago but finished at minus-30, a number that should worry anyone circling him as a rental.
Vasily Podkolzin looked like a different player in Edmonton, scoring 37 points and finishing plus-16.
Alexis Lafreniere put up 57 points in New York and still looks like a player with another level in him.
Morgan Frost scored 43 points in Calgary and, per Pagnotta, is also available if the Flames go into a full reset.
Hughes has the picks and the prospects to make a real offer to almost anyone on this list.
Whether any of these names actually get moved before camp opens is the part nobody can answer yet.
Should Kent Hughes trade a first-round pick for Bo Horvat right now?
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