Habs News | Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin Clears Salary Cap Space Ahead of NHL Free Agency by Trading Andrew Shaw, Nicolas Deslauriers for Draft Picks

MONTREAL, QC. — On Sunday, Marc Bergevin prepared for the start of NHL free agency by clearing almost five million dollars in salary cap space. 

Firstly, the Montreal Canadiens announced that forward Andrew Shaw and a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft had been traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for a second and seventh-round pick in 2020, along with a third-round pick in 2021.

The 27-year-old played three seasons in Montreal recording 41 goals, 96 points in 182 games played.

Montreal acquired Shaw at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in a trade with Chicago for the 39th pick overall (Alex DeBrincat) and the 45th pick overall (Chad Krys.)

Shaw was a fifth round pick (139th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Secondly, the Montreal Canadiens announced that forward Nicolas Deslauriers had been traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

The 28-year-old spent two seasons in Montreal scoring 12 goals and seven assists in 106 games.

The Canadiens acquired Deslauriers in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres for defenceman Zach Redmond on October 4, 2017.

The Lasalle, Quebec native was drafted in the third round of 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings.

Now the attention will turn to see who Bergevin will target as he looks to spend some of the $13.5 million in cap room. Some of those dollars will go to restricted free agents Joel Armia, Artturi Lehkonen and possibly Charles Hudon.

It has been reported that the Canadiens have been in contact with a number of unrestricted free agents including, Matt Duchene, Wayne Simmonds, Jake Gardiner, Curtis McElhinney and Keith Kincaid.

The action begins at 12 p.m. ET. when the NHL free agency period opens.

with notes from Elias Laradi