The New Jersey Devils have acquired Nathan Legare from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Utica Comets forward Arnaud Durandeau.
The New Jersey Devils have acquired Nathan Legare from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Utica Comets forward Arnaud Durandeau.
The AHL has its own trade/loan deadline set for March 15. Because this trade has happened after the NHL trade deadline, Legare will only be able to play for the Comets for the rest of this season.
The Comets are in last place in their division but are only five points back of the Toronto Marlies for the final playoff spot in the North Division. The Comets have 17 games remaining on their schedule as they attempt to make a push for the playoffs.
Legare is a 23-year-old winger who's played in 39 games this season for the Laval Rocket scoring six goals and nine points. The Quebec native was a third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2019 NHL draft but has struggled to replicate his production at the AHL level like he once did in the QMJHL.
Durandeau was acquired by the Devils this season from the New York Islanders when they traded Tyce Thompson. Durandeau had a very strong season in the AHL last season with the Bridgeport Islanders but has struggled to get back to that pace. This season the 25-year-old winger has just four goals and 18 points in 28 games.
Both teams are hoping a change of scenery for these players can help their teams push for the final playoff spot in the North Division as the Rocket are currently two points ahead of the Comets.