The Montreal Canadiens have acquired defenseman Sergei Gonchar from the Dallas Stars for forward Travis Moen.
- Pierre LeBrun: The Stars will retain eight percent of Gonchar’s salary.
The 40-year old Gonchar was drafted 14th overall in the first round of the 1992 draft by the Capitals. He carries a $5 million cap hit and will be a UFA at the end of the season.
The 32-year old Moen was drafted 155th overall in the 5th round of the 2000 draft by the Flames. Moen is in the third year of four deal that carries a $1.85 million salary and cap hit.
Thoughts from the media:
- Jim Matheson: “Gonchar for Moen reinforces theory that deals do come out of nowhere. Moen works hard, redundant with Weise there. Habs still need winger.”
- Craig Custance: “I love that Jim Nill isn’t afraid to make a trade. Even if it’s just to clean up something he created.”
- Renaud Lavoie: “Stars are keeping 400 000$ of Sergei Gonchar salary in that trade. So Gonchar cap hit in MTL will be 4.6M$.”
- Chris Johnston: “The Gonchar-Moen trade is all about managing assets/salary cap. #stars needed space, #habs had some. The price was two years of Moen.”
- Corey Pronman: “Either MTL really believes in Gonchar to rebound or they really don’t believe in Beaulieu/Tinordi.”
- L.A. Lariviere: “Stars GM Jim Nill says that Moen will have a big leadership role and “will be an important part of our penalty kill”.
- Stephen Whyno: “GM Jim Nill says Moen will be a big part of #Stars’ PK. “Travis is a proven forward that does all the gritty things needed to win.”
- Joe Yerdon: “Wonder what Dallas has cooking outside of this.”
- Habs Links: “Before this trade @capgeek said #Habs had $4.7M of cap space. Took on $3.15M of addt’l space, not much room left this yr”
- Defending Big D: “The Stars are clearing about $3 million in cap space with this deal. Have to wonder if this is preemptive of another move.”
Sergei Gonchar
Travis Moen