Canadiens trade Ben Chiarot to Panthers for draft picks and a prospect

One of the most sough-after defenceman on the trade market is heading down south.

The Montreal Canadiens have traded veteran defenceman Ben Chiarot to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 2022 fourth-round draft pick, 2023 first-rounder, and minor league forward Tyler Smilanic.

As part of the deal, the Canadiens are retaining 50% of his $3.5 million cap hit to give the Panthers some cap flexibility heading into the final days before the NHL’s Trade Deadline.

The 30-year old has been inconsistent this season, but has a reputation of stepping his game up in the playoffs. At 6-foot-3 and 219 pounds, Chiarot is a physical, stay-at-home blueliner that played a key role in the Canadiens surprise run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2021.

He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.