The Montreal Canadiens have acquired forward Zack Kassian and a 5th round pick from the Vancouver Canucks for Brandon Prust. More details to follow.
Hearing from a source that Zack Kassian has been dealt to the Habs
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) July 1, 2015
VAN gets Prust and a 5th for Kassian.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2015
Kassian, 24, born in Windsor, Ontario and won the Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2009 at 13th overall. He was soon traded to the Vancouver Canucks for Cody Hodgson, who just signed with the Nashville Predators. The right handed winger put up 16 points in 42 games but saw no time in the playoffs for the Canucks. His highest goal total was 14 goals in 2013-14. He has been considered a disappointment in Vancouver, having been tried on the Sedin line and not being able to create chemistry. His career has been a continuous pull as to whether he should try to be a power forward with skill or a power forward with grit. In Montreal, that pull will likely continue. Kassian is a $1.75M cap hit and will be a restricted free agent next summer. The Canadiens receive a fifth round pick in the deal, because of course they do.
Prust, 31, was one of the first major signings by Marc Bergevin when he came to the Montreal Canadiens as general manager. Prust had been playing on the fourth line, putting up 18 points in 82 games for the Canadiens in 2014-2015. His one goal and three assists in the playoffs was overshadowed by his confrontation with an NHL referee Brad Watson. Prust will be paid $2.5M.
