On Tuesday, the Habs continued their roster
tinkering sending Kyle Chipchura to the Anaheim Ducks. In return, the Habs
receive a conditional 4th round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. The former
Canadian Junior team captain finally earned a full time spot with the Habs this
season but made little of it going pointless with a -10 rating in 19 games.
The emergence of both Tom Pyatt and Ryan White appear to have made Chipchura
expendable, as they both quickly passed him on the depth chart. As players
slowly return from the IR, roster moves will need to be made, it’s pretty
evident that this move was made to ensure at least one of these two will be up
for a longer stint with the team than originally expected.
After Jay Leach was claimed by the Sharks yesterday, this opens up a second slot
on the Canadiens’ 50-contract list. Note that at this time, the terms of
the condition on this pick have not been released.
Other news
In other unrelated Habs news, this year’s first round pick, Louis Leblanc, has
been named to Canada’s preliminary camp roster. He is one of 20 forwards
trying to make the team. The Habs’ top pick two seasons ago, Danny Kristo,
has earned a spot with Team USA’s preliminary roster; Maxim Trunev will be doing
the same with Team Russia.