The Montreal Canadiens have made another major splash this offseason, confirming the acquisition of star forward Jonathan Huberdeau from the Calgary Flames in a blockbuster trade. This follows the team’s earlier acquisition of Patrik Laine, solidifying their intent to bolster the roster for the upcoming season.
Trade Details:
- Canadiens receive:
Jonathan Huberdeau (with $3 million per year retained)
2025 second-round pick - Flames receive:
Christian Dvorak
2025 first-round pick
This high-profile deal sees Montreal landing Huberdeau, who is entering the second year of his eight-year, $84 million contract. With Calgary retaining $3 million annually, Huberdeau’s cap hit for Montreal will be $7.5 million per season. Huberdeau struggled in his first season with the Flames, recording 12 goals and 40 assists for 52 points in 81 games, but brings a wealth of experience and offensive potential to Montreal’s top-six forward group. Over his career, Huberdeau has accumulated 720 points in 831 NHL games.
Christian Dvorak Heads to Calgary
In return, Calgary acquires Christian Dvorak, who has had difficulty finding his form in Montreal. Dvorak, entering the final year of his six-year, $26.7 million contract, registered just 9 points in 30 games last season. In Calgary, Dvorak is expected to slot into a middle-six role and could be traded again at the deadline for additional assets.
Huberdeau’s Confidence in a Rebound
Huberdeau, who was part of the massive trade that sent Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in 2022, is optimistic about returning to form for the 2024-25 season. He expressed confidence in his offseason preparation and training.
“I’ve had one of my best summers in terms of training and preparation,” Huberdeau told NHL.com. “I feel more powerful and confident, and I’ve been skating more this offseason. I’m ready to bring fun and success back to my game, and hopefully, surprise a lot of people this season.”
The Laine Deal
The Canadiens also made headlines earlier this offseason by acquiring forward Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets on August 19. General Manager Kent Hughes praised Laine’s ability to contribute beyond goal-scoring.
“Whether he scores 20 or 40 goals, Laine’s success will be measured by how much he can contribute to the team as a whole,” Hughes said. “At 26, he’s still young but also brings a level of leadership to this young Canadiens squad.”
With both Laine and Huberdeau in the fold, the Canadiens have significantly upgraded their offense and leadership, setting the stage for a promising 2024-25 season.
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