Montreal Canadiens Acquire Goaltender Hunter Shepard and Forward Jake Chiasson in AHL Trade Deadline Deal
The Montreal Canadiens have made a trade on the American Hockey League Trade Deadline, acquiring goaltender Hunter Shepard and forward Jake Chiasson from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forward Riley Kidney. Shepard, a 30-year-old netminder, has played 15 AHL games with Belleville and has a successful AHL career with accolades such as the best goaltender award in 2021 and two Calder Cup championships. Chiasson, a 22-year-old forward, has played in both the AHL and ECHL this season and was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 2021.
Shepard's addition provides the Rocket with goaltending depth, potentially indicating that Jacob Fowler may not return to the AHL this season. Chiasson, on the other hand, brings his skills to the Trois-Rivières Lions in the ECHL. Kidney, a second-round pick by the Canadiens in 2021, struggled to establish himself at the professional level and has been traded to the Senators. The trade also involved sending Ryan O’Rourke to the Senators for future considerations.
None of the players involved in the trade are eligible for the NHL playoffs, as it is primarily aimed at strengthening the Rocket for a potential playoff push. Despite the AHL playoff roster freeze, all players will remain eligible for their new teams, ensuring continuity for the remainder of the season.