Oilers deal Scrivens to Canadiens for Kassian
The Montreal Canadiens have acquired goaltender Ben Scrivens from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward Zack Kassian.
Kassian was dealt after the Canadiens asked the troubled forward not to report to the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the St. John's IceCaps, after he cleared waivers on Dec. 16. The 24-year-old has yet to play this season after entering the league's substance abuse program following a car accident in September that saw him break his foot.
In acquiring Scrivens, the Canadiens receive some depth at the goaltending position, a need that has become more urgent during the club's current six-game losing streak.
Scrivens, 29, has spent this season with the Oilers' AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, posting a 2-6-1 record in 10 games with a 3.47 goals-against average, and an .893 save percentage. He's now expected to join the Canadiens, as the club assigned goaltender Dustin Tokarski to St. John's following the deal.
Kassian, who will have 24 percent of his salary retained by the Canadiens, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, will report to the Condors.
The Oilers recalled goaltender Eetu Laurikainen from HPK of Finland's SM-liiga and assigned him to Bakersfield in a corresponding move.