While the Montreal Canadiens and the excited fanbase was looking forward to the season opener, Marc Bergevin got the ball moving on the trade front. A simple AHL transaction saw the Habs send defenceman Zach Redmond to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Nicolas Deslauriers. Redmond was a free agent signing from the summer of 2016 after previously playing in the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche organizations.
A strong training camp saw him make the team out of camp, but injuries cut that stint short. Redmond finished the season in the AHL with the St.