Montreal Canadiens Complete Minor Trade With Buffalo Sabres

The Montreal Canadiens announced they have acquired forward Filip Cederqvist from the Buffalo Sabres.

It wasn’t a big splash as some were expected, with names such as Trevor Zegras surfacing in trade rumours this week.

Cederqvist, 23, was chosen in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (143rd overall). The price tag was reasonable, as the Montreal Canadiens only exchanged future considerations for the former Sabre.

It’s a very minor trade, not only when we consider the price tag, but also due to Cedrqvist’s expected usage. He’s an American Hockey League player through and through, and is expected to serve as desperately needed reinforcements for the Canadiens’ farm team, the Laval Rocket.

His versatility should serve the team well, as he can play on the wing and down the middle of the ice.

Last season Cederqvist scored nine goals and 11 assists game. His production has slowed significantly this year, to the tune of one goal and three assists for the Rochester Americans.

Les Canadiens font l'acquisition de l'attaquant Filip Cederqvist des Sabres de Buffalo.

Lire ↓ #GoHabsGo https://t.co/CFHrNjjSMT

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 11, 2024

The Rocket had a very difficult start to the season, owing to the bevy of prospects that joined the club this summer. The growing pains were to be expected, a worthwhile investment when discussing the organization’s future.

Their results have improved by leaps and bounds in recent weeks. They have a 7-2-1 record over the course of the last 10 games and have started to surge up the standings.

Unfortunately, the Rocket have suffered their fair share of injuries, punctuated by Wednesday’s announcement that Sean Farrell (upper-body), Brady Keeper (lower-body), Nathan Legare (lower-body) and Gabriel Bourque (upper-body) all suffered injuries that would keep them out of the lineup for a relatively lengthy stretch.

More than anything, the Rocket needed warm bodies to maintain any semblance of momentum built through their recent uptick in results, and Cederqvist fits the bill.

Mise à jour médicale: Farrell, Légaré, Bourque et Keeper

Sean Farrell (haut du corps) sera tenu à l’écart du jeu pour 6 à 8 semaines.

Nathan Légaré (bas du corps) sera tenu à l’écart du jeu pour 7 à 8 semaines.

Gabriel Bourque (haut du corps) sera tenu à l’écart du jeu… pic.twitter.com/qKmCacRGFd

— Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) January 10, 2024