Devils Trade for Forward From Canadiens

Believe it or not, NHL teams can still make trades despite Friday’s deadline passing, and the New Jersey Devils just made one on Monday.

The Devils announced today the acquisition of forward Nathan Legare from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Utica Comets forward Arnaud Durandeau.

The American Hockey League trade deadline is on Friday, March 15th, thus making the trade a legal one for the minor league forwards. Both Legare and Durandeau won’t be eligible to play for their NHL clubs this season or in the playoffs.

Legare is a former third round selection in the 2019 NHL Draft, selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 23-year-old forward has recorded nine points (6g-3a) and 42 PIMs in 39 games with Montreal’s AHL affiliate the Laval Rocket this season.

According to the press release, “Since making his AHL debut with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2021-22, he has appeared in 164 career regular-season games and earned 44 career points (21g-23a) along with 148 PIMs. The 6’0”, 210lbs. forward has scored four shorthanded goals this season, which is tied for second in the AHL and led Laval. Legare was also one of seven Rocket skaters who has earned two, or more, game-winning goals this season.

“Legare represented Canada on the international stage at the 2018-19 International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) 2018-19 U18 World Junior Championship (WJC). He recorded four goals and was named an alternate captain at the 2018-19 WJC.”

The Devils acquired Durandeau earlier this season in exchange for former Devils forward Tyce Thompson. Thomspon currently plays with the New York Islanders AHL affiliate in Bridgeport.

Durandeau played 26 games for the Comets recording three goals and 11 assists.

For more Devils news, visit New Jersey Hockey Now and like our Facebook page.

Follow us on 𝕏:

@NJDHockeyNow, @JamesNicholsNHL

And on Threads:

@JamesNicholsNHL