HabsWorld.net --
The Habs decided not to wait until the trade deadline to sell their rental players as on Friday night, forwards Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann were traded to Chicago in exchange for prospect Phillip Danault and a 2018 2nd round pick.
Weise is in the midst of a career season and already has surpassed his career best for goals. In 56 games with Montreal, he had 14 goals and 12 assists while averaging 14:20 per night. As for Fleischmann, he got off to a great start after earning a contract in training camp but has really tailed off as of late. Overall this year, his numbers aren’t bad for a bottom six player as he has ten goals and ten helpers in 57 games while playing 15:33 per game.
Danault was Chicago’s 1st round pick (26th overall) in 2011. He underwent hip surgery in August after dealing with a torn labrum for much of the 2014-15 season. He was sent to Rockford for a conditioning stint upon returning but has been with the Blackhawks full-time since then.
This season with the Hawks, Danault has played in a bottom six role, picking up a goal and four assists in 30 games while averaging 12:50 a night while winning 44.2% of his draws. He also had a goal and an assist in six games with the AHL’s IceHogs.
From a salary standpoint, Danault is in the final year of his entry-level contract with a cap hit of $863,333 ($963,333 if you factor in potential performance bonuses). He will be a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights at the end of the season.
Weise is in the final year of his contract with a full season cap hit of $1,025,000. Montreal is retaining 30% of that amount to facilitate the trade. Fleischmann, meanwhile, is making $750,000 and there is no retention on his salary in the deal.
The trade now puts the Habs at 47 contracts out of the limit of 50 and they have now used one of three retention slots for this season.
In other news Friday, the Canadiens recalled defenceman Morgan Ellis and forward Michael McCarron after St. John’s 4-1 loss at Utica. Both are expected to be available for Saturday’s game against Toronto as will Danault, who will report to Montreal.
Danault’s Stats:
Weise’s Stats:
Fleischmann’s Stats:
