Jun 2, 2021; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Eric Staal. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports
Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin didn’t have a lot of cap space to make big moves at the trade deadline.
After a busy offseason, the team was pushing up against the cap and had to pinch their pennies when it came to deadline deals. With Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jake Evans having up and down seasons, there was a need for an experienced centre.
Enter Eric Staal.
The 36 year old was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres for third and fifth round draft picks.