BROSSARD, Quebec (AP) – The Montreal Canadiens were busy on the opening day of NHL free agency on Tuesday.
The Canadiens acquired defenseman Tom Gilbert and center Manny Malhotra and traded Josh Gorges to the Buffalo Sabres.
General manager Marc Bergevin also signed Czech prospect Jiri Sekac and re-signed free agent defenseman Mike Weaver.
The Canadiens also saw captain Brian Gionta leave as an unrestricted free agent for Buffalo on a three-year contract.
The moves come a day after the Habs acquired forward P.A. Parenteau from Colorado in exchange for veteran Danny Briere.
The surprise move involved Gorges, who has been a part of the Montreal defense since 2006 who used his limited no-trade clause over the weekend to reject a move to the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
He added Buffalo to the list of teams he would play for and was sent to the Sabres for a second-round draft pick in 2016. The Canadiens were looking to shed Gorges’ contract, which pays $3.9 million per year over the next four seasons.
Gorges had one goal and 13 assists last season.
Gorges’ place on the right side of the defense will likely be taken by Gilbert, an unrestricted free agent who signed a two-year deal worth $2.8 million. The 31-year-old defenseman, who was bought out of the final two years of a contract with Minnesota in 2012, played for Florida on a one-year deal last season.
Gilbert had three goals and 25 assists in 73 games for the Panthers.
The Canadiens also opted to bring back 36-year-old Weaver, who did well on right defense in the playoffs after he was acquired from Florida on March 4. He signed a one-year deal worth $1.75 million.
The moves on defense should allow coach Michel Therrien to move Alexei Emelin to the left side where he will be more comfortable.
Malhotra signed a one-year deal worth $850,000.
The 34-year-old center, who has come back from a career-threatening eye injury suffered in 2011, had seven goals and six assists in 69 games with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. While he still has reduced vision in his left eye, Malhotra was praised for his leadership and his ability to win faceoffs.
Malhotra started last season on a tryout with AHL Charlotte and signed with the Hurricanes on Oct. 31.
Sekac was reportedly courted by 15 NHL teams and ended up choosing a two-year contract with Montreal.
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