Habs acquire Pouliot for Latendresse

The Habs on Monday announced their first trade
of the season, moving underachieving winger Guillaume Latendresse to Minnesota
in exchange for the underachieving Benoit Pouliot.  Both players were
selected in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Pouliot at 4th overall and Latendresse at
45th overall.

Pouliot is currently on IR (since November 20th) with a hand injury and has
missed the last 3 contests as a result.  This season, the 6’3, 200 lb
winger has a pair of goals and a pair of assists in 14 games.  Latendresse
has played in all 23 contests with the Habs so far this year, tallying 2 goals
and 3 assists. 

Both players make the same salary at the NHL level at $803,250 so there are no
cap implications whatsoever here.  However, Pouliot is on a two-way
contract where he would earn $62,500 at the AHL level.  Considering he must
clear waivers to go to the AHL, it’s really a moot point though.

Pouliot has never been able to live up to the lofty expectations that saw him
get selected just before Carey Price in 2005.  He has not yet completed a
full NHL campaign, spending at least 30 games in the AHL in each of his first 3
pro seasons.  Last season, he set a career high in points with 11 in 37
games and is on pace to surpass that this season.

With Pouliot hurt, the Habs have recalled Sergei Kostitsyn to take his place on
the roster.
 

Career regular season:

Career playoffs: