Habs land Scandella from Sabres

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired defenseman Marco Scandella from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2020, the team announced Thursday.

Scandella will aim to provide a steadying presence on the Habs' blue line. The 10-year veteran isn't flashy, but the Sabres were able to control 55% of the high-danger scoring chances with Scandella on the ice this season, according to Natural Stat Trick. Montreal ranks 18th in the league in goals against in 2019-20.

Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin could also flip Scandella, a pending unrestricted free agent, at the trade deadline if his club falls out of playoff contention.

For the Sabres, dealing Scandella helps solve the team's logjam on the back end. It also created the necessary cap space to acquire forward Michael Frolik from the Calgary Flames shortly after moving Scandella.

Buffalo used the same draft pick - a fourth-rounder in 2020 - it acquired in the Scandella deal to land Frolik, who's also a pending UFA. This essentially makes it a one-for-one trade for the Sabres.