Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes got involved as a third party in the Erik Karlsson blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks with defensemen Jeff Petry returning to the Habs.
On Sunday, the Montreal Canadiens were part of a three-team blockbuster trade, headlined by defenseman Erik Karlsson landing in Pittsburgh from the San Jose Sharks.
In the conclusion of the transaction, Montreal acquired Jeff Petry, Casey DeSmith, Nathan Legare, and a 2025 second-round draft pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins, while sending Mike Hoffman and Rem Pitlick in the deal. Pittsburgh, in turn, moved Hoffman to the Sharks as part of the exchange.
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Petry's Surprising Return
From a Canadiens perspective, the return of Jeff Petry to the organization comes as a surprise. Petry spent eight seasons in Montreal before being traded to the Penguins last summer in a transaction that included the acquisition of Mike Matheson. The trade was concluded after Petry made a formal trade request earlier in the year.
The 35-year-old defenseman has two seasons remaining on his contract, which will count for $4.6875 million against the cap, with the Penguins retaining 25 percent of the salary. Petry's contract includes a modified no-trade clause, where he can submit a 15-team no-trade list. During his time as a Penguin, Petry scored five goals and recorded 31 points in 61 games.
Petry's addition creates a crowded defensive unit for Montreal and may affect the ice time allotted to prospects. It will bolster the team's depth on the right defense, where they previously had to rely on Kaiden Guhle to play on his off-side.
New Goalie in the Ranks
Casey DeSmith joins the Canadiens after spending the last eight seasons in the Penguins organization. In the 2022-'23 season, he appeared in 38 games, registering a 15-16-4 record, with a 3.17 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. The 31-year-old goaltender is entering the final year of his contract, which counts for $1.8 million against the salary cap.
With DeSmith's arrival, the Canadiens now have four goalies with NHL contracts for the upcoming season: Jake Allen, Samuel Montembeault, Casey DeSmith, and Cayden Primeau.
AHL Depth
Nathan Legare has spent the last two seasons with the Penguins' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, totaling 19 points in 68 games in the 2022-'23 season.
The 22-year-old forward was drafted in the third round (74th overall) by the Penguins in 2019 and is entering the final year of his entry-level contract. Legare is unlikely to secure a spot with Montreal out of camp and is expected to start the year in Laval.
Hoffman's Departure
Hoffman's departure from the organization is not shocking. The fact that the Canadiens were able to trade him without retaining any of his salary may be considered a surprise.
It was evident that Hoffman was no longer a fit in Montreal. He is not a player that would remain with the organization long term and the production did not live up to his contract. When former general manager Marc Bergevin signed Hoffman to a three-year deal, the forward had six seasons of at least 22 goals under his belt. In Montreal, he scored 15 and 14 goals respectively in two seasons.
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Fresh Start for Pitlick
Two days after announcing his engagement on social media, Rem Pitlick got news of his move to Pittsburgh for the upcoming season. The Penguins will be his fourth NHL organization of his career.
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Last season, the 26-year old started the year in Montreal before clearing waivers and head to Laval. He played 18 games for the Rocket where he collected 22 points before being recalled by the Canadiens in January for the remainder of the season. In Montreal, he finished with 15 points in 46 games while averaging 12:55 of ice time.
Looking Ahead
By all indications, Sunday's move will not be the last one before the start of the regular season. Puckpedia currently projects the Canadiens over the cap by $2.8 million, but the amount can fluctuate based on the identity of the 23 players on the roster.
On defense, Petry may generate interest from other NHL clubs if the Canadiens decide to retain a portion of his salary. Moving Petry would make it easier for the prospects to get the NHL ice time needed for their development.
There are two extra goalies currently on the roster. The odds of Hughes risking of losing two of them on waivers are very low. DeSmith's arrival in the picture gives additional flexibility for the general manager to shop veteran netminder Jake Allen.
Hughes' summer shopping is not over.