Montreal Canadiens trade Casey DeSmith to Canucks in exchange for winger

Montreal Canadiens have traded goaltender Casey DeSmith to Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Tanner Pearson. Pearson was recently activated from the team's LTIR list after returning a broken hand injury in November 2022.

Montreal Canadiens strengthen their blue line with Tanner Pearson's addition. The Habs had many goalie options in their lineup and were expected to trade some of those pieces. The Habs decided to go with Casey DeSmith.

The trade also includes Vancouver's 2025 third-round pick going to Montreal.

After spending five season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Casey DeSmith was traded to Habs in a three-team trade including the Penguins, Canadiens and Sharks.

In the 2022-23 season, DeSmith played in 38 games. He had a 3.17 GAA, .905 SV% and conceded 109 goals.

Tanner Pearson suffered a broken hand on November 9th in a game against the Montreal Canadiens. The winger faced multiple setbacks due to complications regarding his surgery.

Pearson recently took part in an unofficial Vancouver Canucks skate which was his first public appearance in a hockey rink since the injury last year.

---

Montreal Canadiens' Carey Price addressed trade rumors

Carey Price has been away from the Habs goal since April 2022. During the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, he suffered a torn meniscus. The goalie underwent a knee surgery but has since failed to fully recover to make his NHL return.

Price carries a huge contract. He has a salary cap hit of $10.5 million for the next three seasons. He was recently asked if he would be open to the option of his contract being traded away to which he said:

"Everyone knows hockey is a business- money management & cap space is part of that; I'm going to a MTL Canadien for the rest of my life & I'm very proud of that so I'm willing to help this team in any aspect"

Price humbly showed his unwavering support for the Canadiens and even agreed to help the team any way he can.

"Whatever the team has to do - if they have to move money to make this team better, I'm here to help in any way I can."

With the Montreal Canadiens now trading away Casey DeSmith, their projected cap space is at $6,177,916 according to CapFriendly. Carey Price's contract is long-term injured reserve (LTIR) compatible, which maybe the move for the Habs.