A trade involving a bottom-pairing defenseman who's probably older than your dad for a fourth-line forward who has been healthy-scratched this season isn't the stuff of front-page headlines.
But the deal executed Tuesday between the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens has the potential to provide help for two clubs many figured to be in the playoffs this season.
The Stars shipped 40-year-old defenseman Sergei Gonchar to the Canadiens for left winger Travis Moen in a trade that features two unappealing contracts and two players who will provide almost all of their assistance on special teams.
Gonchar's contract expires after this season and features a $5 million cap hit, although the Stars are retaining $400,000 of it. The 32-year-old Moen has one year and $1.85 million remaining on his deal, which is hardly cumbersome but far too much money for someone who plays 10 minutes a night and has been downright awful during five-on-five play.
Gonchar is no prize at even strength either, but where the Canadiens would like him to pay dividends is on the power play.
Entering Tuesday, Montreal's po ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Dave Lozo
Canadiens Win the Sergei Gonchar Trade, but Deal Makes the Stars Better as Well
November 11th, 2014 by Dave Lozo Leave a reply »
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