The Montreal Canadiens will take another big step in their rebuild later this month when they select fifth overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, but it appears that Kent Hughes is looking to potentially move up.

According to sources of CBC Radio-Canada's Alexandre Gascon, the Canadiens are wanting to work out a trade with the San Jose Sharks for the fourth overall pick, potentially because they have their eyes on selecting Will Smith of the US National Team Development Program.

Note: the following quote is translated from French.

While the Canadiens would like to move up, it will be hard to pry the fourth overall pick out of the hands of Mike Grier, as it will the highest the Sharks will have selected since taking Brad Stuart third overall in 1998.

If the Canadiens are unable to get the fourth overall pick and the Sharks take Will Smith, their attention will need to turn elsewhere with several top prospects still on the board, including Matvei Michkov, Zach Benson, Ryan Leonard, Dalibor Dvorsky and David Reinbacher.

In addition to the fifth overall pick, it's now confirmed that the Canadiens will hold the 31st overall pick after the Florida Panthers lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Vegas Golden Knights. Whether it's to get the fourth overall pick or in any other big trade Kent Hughes tries to make between now and June 28th, there's a very good change they may need to part with the 31st selection.

Source: CBC Radio-Canada

Update: Additional reports have the Canadiens also trying to move up to 2nd overall.