The Montreal Canadiens got into the trading frenzy in the NHL with a minor-league swap on Thursday, one day before the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. The team acquired centre Hunter McKown from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Luke Tuch.
McKown, 23, spent the last three seasons with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. He had nine goals and 16 assists in 63 games, adding a goal and an assist in eight playoff games. He also played 12 NHL games in 2022-23 after being signed out of Colorado College. He had two assists and has not been back in the NHL.
The 6’1, 192lb forward will provide depth and versatility to the Laval Rocket, who at times last year struggled to find players to play up the middle. He has 39 goals and 41 assists in 184 career AHL regular season games.
He will replace Tuch, who had opportunities to play higher in the lineup, but struggled to take hold of a spot. Tuch, drafted in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft, is 24 and had nine goals and five assists in 68 AHL games last year. He has yet to make his NHL debut. He had no points in five playoff games.
Both McKown and Tuch are restricted free agents.
