Jordan Weal will suit up for his third team this season as he has just been dealt to the Montreal Canadiens. In exchange, the Arizona Coyotes acquire forward Michael Chaput. The trade is one for one.
The Canadiens have acquired forward Jordan Weal from the Arizona Coyotes in return for Michael Chaput. Weal will report to the Canadiens.#GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 25, 2019
Jordan Weal Dealt to the Montreal Canadiens
In the early hours of the Trade Deadline Day on Monday, Jordan Weal found himself in the midst of the action. With this new transaction, he will now suit up for a third franchise following being traded to the Coyotes from the Philadelphia Flyers.
Key Players
Weal is soon to be a 27-year-old centerman. Over the span of 19 games in Arizona, he’s recorded a goal and an assist. Prior to his stint in the desert, he began the 2018-19 season with the Flyers, where he posted three goals and six assists in 28 games. The former third-round pick of 2010 by the Los Angeles Kings doesn’t have a spectacular career. His 44 points in 153 NHL games aren’t much to write home about. However, he’ll be a solid boost to the Canadiens’ fourth line. He is good on faceoffs and a right-hand shooter.
Michael Chaput is relatively similar. Similarly to Weal, he is a depth center looking to find his game with a change of scenery. The 26-year-old was in the midst of his first season with Montreal. Nevertheless, his measly five assists in 32 games was not enough for him to stick around. While his entire career has been spent bouncing between his previous two teams’ AHL affiliates and the Canadiens, it’s safe to expect the same in Arizona. Chaput will likely report straight to the Tuscon Roadrunners.
What This Means For the Future
While this move isn’t a blockbuster trade, it could pan out well for Montreal. Shoring up the bottom six is instrumental for a playoff run. The Canadiens are clinging onto a slim lead for the first Wild Card spot in the East. Weal won’t bring much to the table but ensuring your depth forwards can perform should help the bigger contributors lead the way. Weal is a good skater and should help the Canadiens on the penalty kill
If he shows enough grit and playmaking for a bottom six role, general manager Marc Bergevin could bring him back. However, with an expiring contract approaching, this is an optimal low-risk acquisition. Facing becoming an unrestricted free agent could motivate Weal to play for a substantial contract this summer and surpass expectations.
