It is finally in Florida that Ben Chiarot will continue his career. The Canadiens traded him to the Panthers on Wednesday night.
Posted at 8:05 p.m.
Updated at 9:31 p.m.
In return, the Habs get a pick of 1er turn in 2023, a choice of 4and turn in 2022 (originally belonging to the Rangers) as well as prospect Tyler Smilanic, a forward drafted by the Panthers in 2020.
Chiarot is in the final year of a three-year contract worth $3.5 million a year, which he signed in the summer of 2019 with the Habs. In the transaction, the CH retains half of his salary by the end of the season.
Under the circumstances, his departure was imminent. He had also been left out in Tuesday’s game against the Coyotes.
The 30-year-old defender’s career really took off in Montreal. From 18 minutes per game in Winnipeg, his average time in use rose to 23 minutes in his first season in Montreal, and was still 23 minutes this season.
In 54 games, Chiarot has 7 goals and 11 assists for 18 points. He is on his way to knocking down his personal mark of 21 points, achieved when he arrived with the Canadiens, during the 2019-2020 season, interrupted by the pandemic.
However, it is through its robustness that Chiarot has made its mark. Along with Shea Weber, he formed one of the fiercest duos in the National League. He used his 234 lb frame extensively to make life difficult for opposing forwards. During his 164-game stint in Montreal, he handed out 339 hits, the team’s second total in that span, behind Jeff Petry (396).
Chiarot has also led the CH for blocked shots since his arrival with 279.
Ben is a solid veteran who will give us experience and a physical presence on the blue line. By his presence in the Stanley Cup final last year, he knows what it takes to go far in the playoffs, which is our goal for the next few months.
Excerpt from a press release by Bill Zito, general manager of the Panthers
A hope ahead
According to Elliotte Friedman, the choice of 1er round that the CH gets is not “protected”, which means that it will go to the Canadiens even if the Panthers miss the playoffs and have a chance at the first-choice lottery in 2023. This scenario seems unlikely given the core strength of the Panthers, that said.
Smilanic, the hope obtained, turned 20 in January. The forward plays at Quinnipiac University, Matthew Peca’s alma mater in Connecticut. Claimed at 74and rank in 2020, it was expected earlier by many. TSN pundits Bob McKenzie and Craig Button ranked him at 39, respectively.and and 46and rows, respectively, and therefore were waiting for him somewhere at 2and tower.
In 38 games, he has 22 points (13 goals, 9 assists). Last season, he had amassed 21 points (14 goals, 7 assists), but in just 29 games. Its production rate is therefore down from its first season.
On Twitter, an account attributed to coach Mitch Giguère published a compilation of the 22 points scored by Smilanic, which is 96.
Her campaign isn’t over yet, as Quinnipiac has qualified for the ECAC Division Semi-Finals. The Bobcats will face Colgate University on Friday for a spot in the Finals.
A native of Colorado, Smilanic is 6’1 and weighs 178 lbs, according to Quinnipiac’s website. He shoots from the left.