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.