Hughes: Canadiens not looking to fire sale at deadline

Although he's already sold assets ahead of the trade deadline, Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes isn't hanging an "everything must go" sign on his door just yet.

"We're not looking to make a fire sale," Hughes said Thursday, according to TSN.

Montreal shipped defenseman Ben Chiarot to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday for a 2023 first-round pick, a 2022 fourth-rounder, and prospect Tyler Smilanic.

Chiarot was one of several players on expiring contracts on the rebuilding Habs' books. Arturri Lehkonen and Brett Kulak are also rumored to be on the move.

Hughes was named Canadiens GM in January. He's already made a handful of changes, including hiring Martin St. Louis as interim head coach. Since the Hall of Famer took over, Montreal has an 8-6-1 record after starting the season 8-30-7 under Dominique Ducharme.