TRADE ALERT: Montreal and Detroit Agree to a Deal

The Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings have completed a trade that sees defenseman Jon Merrill head to the Habs in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick and prospect Hayden Verbeek.

Habs get their depth D https://t.co/NpxQPjiLU0
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 11, 2021

We reported earlier on Sunday that Merrill was finished in Detroit and the Canadiens were going to make another move and wouldn't you know the two became dance partners. The Canadiens also waived Victor Mete, and the young defenseman is likely to be claimed.

In Merrill the Canadiens are receiving one of the Red Wings best defenseman this season. The 29-year-old defender is only making $925,000 this season, and has recorded five points in 36 games in his first season in Detroit. Merrill signed with the Red Wings on the cheap after spending three seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights.

More to come from both teams as the Red Wings have more assets to sell and the Canadiens are trying to acquire a left-winger.

Jon Merrill, acquired by the Canadiens, has quietly been one of the league's most effective stay-at-home scoring chance-suppressing defencemen in the past two seasons. Was playing 2nd pair minutes for the Wings this year. #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/lbbAnNxtXe
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) April 11, 2021