The Montreal Canadiens are one of four teams in the hunt for the third and final divisional playoff spot in the Atlantic Division, and they helped that cause when they boosted their blue line on Thursday. The Habs acquired Marco Scandella in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres, who freed up some cap space, but are also in the running for that playoff spot. That is why Buffalo got a third team involved, as they took the fourth-round pick that they got from the Canadiens and sent it to the Calgary Flames in exchange for veteran forward Michael Frolik.
The Sabres knew they had to make a move with eight defenseman on their roster, which is one more than the usual on an NHL roster. They get Frolik, who has scored 15 or more goals in nine of his 12 NHL seasons. They have been struggling as of late, going 1-6-1 in eight games before their overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. Part of those struggles were due to having just the 22nd-ranked power play in the league, including going 0-for-14 in their past five games. They add Frolik who has five goals and five assists in 38 games for the Flames, and is in the final year of a five-year, $21 million deal.
Buffalo's struggles also comes on the injury front, as they lost star rookie Victor Oloffson for five-six weeks due to a lower-body injury. The NHL's rookie scoring leader was injured in the third period of their win over the Oilers on Thursday. The rookie came up limping without being touched after sending a pass during the game. Oloffson leads all rookies in the league with 16 goals and 35 points through 42 games, which also ranks second on the team.
The Canadiens add to their defensive core with the 29-year-old Scandella, who has 10 years of NHL experience, most of which came with the Minnesota Wild. He was acquired by the Sabres after the 2016-2017 season, and is also in the final year of a five-year contract that is worth $20 million. Over 31 games this season, the veteran has posted three goals and six assists, and at 6-foot-3, 221 pounds, adds some legitimate size to their defensive group with star Shea Weber.
Stars' Corey Perry Suspended Five Games
In one separate NHL note, the Dallas Stars found out on Friday that Corey Perry has been suspended five games for elbowing. The incident occurred within the first three minutes of the Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day, as he took out Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators with his left elbow. Perry did argue that he did not intend to hit Ellis in the head, although, that was not enough, as he will forfeit $40,322.60 with this ban. This is the third separate time in his career that he has been suspended, which will cause him to miss the game against his former team, the Anaheim Ducks, on January 9th.
The Sabres knew they had to make a move with eight defenseman on their roster, which is one more than the usual on an NHL roster. They get Frolik, who has scored 15 or more goals in nine of his 12 NHL seasons. They have been struggling as of late, going 1-6-1 in eight games before their overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. Part of those struggles were due to having just the 22nd-ranked power play in the league, including going 0-for-14 in their past five games. They add Frolik who has five goals and five assists in 38 games for the Flames, and is in the final year of a five-year, $21 million deal.
Buffalo's struggles also comes on the injury front, as they lost star rookie Victor Oloffson for five-six weeks due to a lower-body injury. The NHL's rookie scoring leader was injured in the third period of their win over the Oilers on Thursday. The rookie came up limping without being touched after sending a pass during the game. Oloffson leads all rookies in the league with 16 goals and 35 points through 42 games, which also ranks second on the team.
The Canadiens add to their defensive core with the 29-year-old Scandella, who has 10 years of NHL experience, most of which came with the Minnesota Wild. He was acquired by the Sabres after the 2016-2017 season, and is also in the final year of a five-year contract that is worth $20 million. Over 31 games this season, the veteran has posted three goals and six assists, and at 6-foot-3, 221 pounds, adds some legitimate size to their defensive group with star Shea Weber.
Stars' Corey Perry Suspended Five Games
In one separate NHL note, the Dallas Stars found out on Friday that Corey Perry has been suspended five games for elbowing. The incident occurred within the first three minutes of the Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day, as he took out Ryan Ellis of the Nashville Predators with his left elbow. Perry did argue that he did not intend to hit Ellis in the head, although, that was not enough, as he will forfeit $40,322.60 with this ban. This is the third separate time in his career that he has been suspended, which will cause him to miss the game against his former team, the Anaheim Ducks, on January 9th.
