BREAKING NEWS: An NHL All-Star was traded. Yes, former Arizona Coyotes All-Star rep John Scott has been (or is on the verge) of being dealt to the Montreal Canadiens with defenseman Stefan Elliott in exchange for Jared Tinordi. The Canadiens then flipped Elliott to the Phoenix Coyotes for defenseman Victory Bartley.
ARI-MTL trade call is in works. Tinordi to ARI and return expected to be John Scott and Stefan Elliott.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 15, 2016
Pending trade call, NSH sending Victor Bartley to MTL for Stefan Elliott. But not a done deal yet.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 15, 2016
Scott, who’s been on-and-off waivers all season, and was jokingly selected to the All-Star game will likely become a depth player or AHLer with the Canadiens. The Coyotes dump the distraction of Scott and acquire a 23-year-old former first round pick with some potential. Tinordi has played 46 games since 2012-2013 and hasn’t been given much of a chance with the Canadiens. He has unfairly sat most of 2015-16. The 6’6″ is a physical defender, with little offensive upside.
The Canadiens get an All-Star, but he’s not helping their struggles anytime soon. He’s appeared in 11 games this season and hasn’t scored. I’d say the Canadiens made out OK if they kept Elliott, but trading him for Bartley makes little sense. Bartley is 27 and has scored once in 112 NHL games. He’s nothing more than AHL depth. Elliott, who was placed on waivers recently, is still moderately young at 24 and has offensive upside scoring 6 points in 19 games with the Coyotes. He’s nothing more than a bottom-six D, but compared to Bartley he’s a much better player.
If this trade was about cap space like some are suggesting, waive Tinordi and get nothing. You're better off.
— Andrew Berkshire (@AndrewBerkshire) January 15, 2016
I can’t process what Montreal is doing here. They gave up a former first-round pick and a bottom-six depth defenseman for the laughing stock in the league and a 27-year-old AHL defenseman. If I was a Canadiens fan, I would not be happy at all, even if it’s not a huge move.
Update:
The deal is the same but was made in a slightly different order.
Bizarre change. So, Nashville trades Bartley to Ariz for Elliott then Bartley and Scott moved to Mtl for Tinordi and a minor leaguer.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 15, 2016
