Surprise in Montreal: a sudden departure to the KHL is quietly taking shape
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Christopher Faucher
Mar 28, 2026 (9:23)
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Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Kent Hughes and Martin St-Louis are now staring at a key internal loss as the Montreal Canadiens prepare for a notable departure.
This isn't background noise anymore. The situation picked up real traction in the last few hours.
Renaud Lavoie reported that a KHL team formally requested permission to speak with Riendeau.
And the Canadiens didn't stand in the way.
Kent Hughes gave the green light, sticking to the organization's stance of letting staff pursue bigger opportunities.
That opportunity is significant.
The Kunlun Red Star are pushing to name Riendeau as their next general manager ahead of next season.
That's a massive jump from pro scout to running a team.
A quiet loss with real consequences
Riendeau wasn't a public-facing name, but inside the Canadiens' structure, he carried weight.
He played a visible role in draft prep, often part of the inner circle evaluating prospects.
His international network is one of his biggest assets.
And losing that kind of reach matters for a team still building through the draft.
The Canadiens rely heavily on their scouting pipeline right now.
Every pick, every projection, every late-round swing counts in this phase.
So this isn't just a staff change. It affects how information flows.
Someone will need to absorb his workload, or the team will need to promote from within.
Neither option is instant.
There's always a short-term adjustment when a trusted evaluator leaves the room.
For Hughes and his group, this becomes a test of depth off the ice.
For Riendeau, it's a rare opening.
GM jobs don't come around often, especially with full control in a league like the KHL.
Talks are progressing quickly, and signs point toward a long-term agreement.
If it gets finalized, the Canadiens lose more than a scout.
They lose a key voice in shaping what's coming next.
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