Montreal Canadiens: Grading All of Marc Bergevin’s Trade Deadline Deals
Nate Thompson
Nate Thompson was acquired last February from the Los Angeles Kings just before the trade deadline. The Canadiens acquired Thompson and a fifth round pick from the Kings for a fourth round pick.
The veteran centre played so well for the Habs at the end of last season during their playoff push that the Habs re-signed him for this season. He fulfilled the role that was expected of him, playing every night, winning face-offs, killing penalties and providing leadership in the dressing room.
He was not expect to bring a ton of offence and he scored just four goals and 14 points in 63 games this season, but his last one was a beauty.
It was clear Thompson would be traded as he is an unrestricted free agent on July 1st and could leave Montreal for nothing in a few months. With the Habs not making the postseason, they may as well acquire as many future assets as possible for players whose contracts are ending in a few months.
Thompson was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers early in the day for a fifth round draft pick in 2021. The Habs gave up a fourth last year for him but also acquired a fifth in that deal. Kind of a no-brainer deal and Bergevin got what he could for an expiring asset.