Canadiens trade Desharnais to Oilers for Davidson

The Montreal Canadiens traded forward David Desharnais to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Brandon Davidson, the Habs announced Tuesday night.

Desharnais, 30, has only known the Canadiens in the NHL, having spent the first eight years of his career in Montreal. He had a career-high 52 points in 2013-14, but after posting only 29 last season he's carried over those struggles to 2016-17. The pivot heads west with only four goals and six assists in 31 games.

"I would like to thank David for all his years as a Montreal Canadien," general manager Marc Bergevin said in a release. "He developed and matured within our organization providing valuable services. We wish him the utmost success with the continuation of his career."

The Canadiens were thought to be in the market for a center, so trading one will undoubtedly increase speculation that another move is on the horizon, as Bergevin continues to tinker with Montreal's roster.

The Oilers were looking for a center, too, and get one with a positive possession rating in Desharnais. He's at 51.39 percent this season, according to Corsica Hockey.

Davidson, 25, joins Nikita Nesterov and Jordie Benn as defensive additions to Montreal since late January. There's no denying the club boasts impressive depth on the blue line.

A sixth-round pick in 2010, Davidson's been limited to 28 games this season by injury, and has only one assist. He played 91 games for Edmonton over the past three campaigns, scoring five goals and adding eight assists.

Edmonton was expected to lose Davidson in the coming expansion draft, and instead get a pending unrestricted free agent in Desharnais, who's playing out the final year of his contract, which pays him $3.5 million.

Davidson will be a restricted free agent after the 2017-18 season, and is on the books for $1.425 million.