Elliotte Friedman is always the first too report big news around the NHL, and this time he's at it again stating <a href='https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the Canadiens</a> are closing in on two players. The Montreal Canadiens have been one of the hotter topics around the league lately, with many buzzing about player trades and other kinds of roster moves. One of the respected voices, Elliotte Friedman, finally weighed in on some of the rumors recently and added a lot of merit to them. His comments now would seem to insinuate that the front office does, in fact, have eyes on improving the roster of their team, adding some serious weight to the excitement of fans and analysts alike that's built up. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/HabsLinks/status/1850339996504404052'> </a></blockquote></div> Kent Hughes, the general manager, supposedly <a href='https://nhltradetalk.com/canadiens-kent-hughes-exploring-trades/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>has his sights on two significant additions for the Canadiens</a>, a top-four, right-shot defenseman and a hard-nosed forward. Hughes is targeting players to make immediate impacts while preserving Montreal's prospects and long-term plans. This shows a calculated approach toward firming up the roster without giving away future stability within the franchise, that is, the commitment to both being competitive now and growing sustainably. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/MTLhockeynow/status/1851263217479066050'> </a></blockquote></div> It wasn't until leading insiders like Pierre LeBrun, Frank Seravalli, and David Pagnotta gave credence to them that these rumors finally picked up steam. When that many reliable sources are aligned in that fashion, it becomes quite clear these discussions are rooted in something more than mere speculation. This mutual confirmation has had fans anxiously anticipating any news releases, waiting to see if Hughes can pull off the trades that actually help both the team and the long-term growth. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/nhltraderumours/status/1851259856813949306'> </a></blockquote></div> The motivation comes mainly through the hands-on approach that Hughes himself maintains. <a href='https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/montreal-canadiens-gm-kent-hughes-making-calls-amid-rough-start-no-trade-imminent-1.2194616' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>He is on the phone, willing to actually negotiate</a>, and his reputation for making smart and impactful trades is solid. This is a fairly strategic mindset, and commitment to reshaping the roster in ways that strengthen the team's competitive advantage. Fans will have a few things to be excited about, as Hughes does have a tendency to make great deals that build up the roster without giving away too many future assets in the process. The front office of the Canadiens definitely is busy, trying to find ways to get the team better and grow the fanbase. With Kent Hughes working on his options for trading to bring in two crucial players, fans can only question whether Montreal will still be a contender this season. Only time will tell, but with the proactive effort by Hughes, every reason exists to believe the future is bright for the Canadiens.