Canadiens acquire 21st overall pick from Kings in exchange for 26th, 56th and 198th picks

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired the 21st overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for the 26th pick, 56th pick and 198th pick.

The Canadiens now have nine picks in Friday’s draft, including two in the first round — No. 5 and now No. 21.

The Kings now have six draft picks.

TSN insider Darren Dreger commented on the move, wondering if Canadiens’ General Manager Kent Hughes would continue to make moves.

“Will be interesting to see if Hughes is able to work more magic,” Dreger wrote on X. “He’s hoping to add another top 10 pick and is listening to interest in moving up or slightly down from 5. He’s also involved in a number of player related discussions.”

The Canadiens finished 2023-24 with a 30-36-16 record and 76 points, eighth in the Atlantic Division and second-last in the Eastern Conference.

Meanwhile, the Kings were 44-27-11 with 99 points, third in Pacific Division. They lost in fives games to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.