Eric Staal traded from Buffalo to Montreal

The Montreal Canadiens have confirmed it. 

They have acquired centre Eric Staal from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for 3rd and 5th round picks in the 2021 NHL Draft. The Sabres will absorb some of his salary, by retaining 50 pour cent of his contrat, which is $1,625 million of Staal's AVV of his $3.25 million deal. 

Staal had to formally waive to agree to the deal with the Habs. Montreal was among the 10 teams on his no-trade list, per TSN's Pierre LeBrun. 

TSN’s Frank Seravalli was first to report that the Buffalo Sabres were working on trading Staal, and mentioned that the Canadiens were the leading contender to get him. 

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Staal would be willing to go pretty much anywhere, loving the chance to compete for a contender. 

This is the second Staal is traded in the past six months. To acquire him from the Minnesota Wild this offseason the Sabres gave up third-line forward Marcus Johansson.

Staal is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. In 32 games for the Sabres this season, he has recorded three goals and 10 points. In the last few games, Staal has been serving as the team’s top center between Taylor Hall and Sam Reinhart.

The veteran forward is expected to give the Habs needed depth at the center position behind Philip Danault and Nick Suzuki. Staal will also bring good leadership to the Canadiens’ dressing room. 

Done deal!