Sorry to the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks, but the Montreal Canadiens made the most significant trade of the day when they sent Jacob Perreault to the Edmonton Oilers for Noel Hoefenmayer. I am joking, of course, as the Rangers just traded their captain, Jacob Trouba, to the Ducks, but the Perreault deal could make some people in Quebec unhappy.
Perreault is the son of Yanic, who played three seasons with the Canadiens from 2001 to 2004. He tallied 133 points in 224 games and was a clutch playoff performer for the Habs in the two seasons they made it. He is also the brother of Gabe Perreault, a valued member of the Rangers' organization, and is currently tearing it up in Boston College alongside Jacob Fowler.
Jacob was a former first-round pick by the Ducks in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He had 18 points and 44 penalty minutes in 31 games with the San Diego Gulls last season before they dealt him to the Habs for Jan Mysak. Perreault never quite found his footing with Laval, recording just two points in 13 games last season and no points in six games this season. The organization eventually sent him to Trois-Rivieres, where he had five points in five games.
It made sense for the Canadiens to cut their losses with Perreault, and gaining some defensive depth isn't bad. Hoefenmayer was an integral piece of the Newfoundland Growlers in 2021-22 when he had 40 points in 46 games in the regular season, then added 16 points in 19 postseason games. He joined the Toronto Marlies the following season and tallied 38 points in 65 games but struck a lull when he joined the Oilers' organization.
Hoefenmayer had 18 points in 47 games last season but bounced back this year with seven points in 11. Hoefenmayer likely won't join the Canadiens at any point this season, but he will be a valuable addition to the Laval Rocket and their playoff pursuit.
Both teams are likely wishing the Perreault trade didn't happen last season. Mysak has yet to be lighting it up in San Diego, as he had one goal in 14 games last year and just three points in 15 this year. The Canadiens' asset management could have been better, but seeing them take their losses and add a defensive piece is good.