HabsWorld.net -- 

Montreal’s forward depth got a little better on Thursday as the Habs announced that Rafael Harvey-Pinard will return to the lineup tonight against San Jose.  Meanwhile, they’ve acquired Filip Cederqvist from Buffalo for future considerations.

Harvey-Pinard has missed nearly two months with a lower-body injury which capped a first half to forget for the 25-year-old.  After being a sparkplug down the stretch last season that saw him put up 14 goals and 20 points in 34 games, Harvey-Pinard struggled in his first 13 games of the season, notching just four assists.

No corresponding roster move is needed to activate Harvey-Pinard off IR as the Canadiens had an open roster spot created when Gustav Lindstrom was claimed off waivers on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, on the heels of losing Gabriel Bourque, Sean Farrell, and Nathan Legare to injuries in Laval, Cederqvist’s addition gives them a bit of extra depth on that front.  The 23-year-old was a fifth-round pick in 2019 and has played exclusively in the AHL since coming to North America last season.  Cederqvist has a goal and three assists in 19 games with AHL Rochester this season and will be a restricted free agent this summer.  It would be surprising if he receives a qualifying offer.

Meanwhile, the future considerations for this swap have come in the form of an AHL trade as Laval sent defenceman Noah Laaouan to Rochester for blueliner Chris Jandric.  Both players have played primarily at the ECHL level this season but the 25-year-old Jandric does have eight career AHL appearances under his belt.  Jandric was assigned to ECHL Trois-Rivieres.