In a minor move, the Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Zach Redmond to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for left wing Nicolas Deslauriers, the team announced today.
The Canadiens acquire Nicolas Deslauriers from BUF, in return for Zach Redmond. Deslauriers will report to the Laval Rocket.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 4, 2017
Montreal Canadiens Acquire Nicolas Deslauriers
Zach Redmond split his time between Montreal and St. John’s last season. Redmond seems to fall out of favor with the Canadiens this pre-season. Unfortunately, he failed to impress coaches in training camp this year and his poor play saw him sent to the Laval Rocket early in the pre-season.
The writing was on the wall for Redmond. The veteran defenseman practiced on the third defensive pairing on Tuesday. The former seventh-round pick has bounced around the NHL so far in his career, with stops in Atlanta, Winnipeg, and Colorado. Redmond is set to become a free agent on July first.
In return for Redmond, the Canadiens received Nicolas Deslauriers, a regular member of the Sabres roster. Unfortunately, Deslauriers became the odd man out in Buffalo once the team claimed Jordan Nolan off waivers.
Originally drafted by the Los Angelis Kings in the fourth round, the LaSalle Quebec native has already been sent to the Laval Rocket of the AHL. The physical winger registered two assists and 38 penalty minutes in 42 games last year.
Deslauriers, however, will have a difficult time fitting in on a very deep Laval team. Not known for his offense, Deslauriers will battle for a spot on the bottom six. Complicating matters a bit is Deslauriers qualifies as a veteran player, giving the Rocket six such players. The AHL only allows teams to carry five veteran players on their roster. Deslauriers contract expires on July first.
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