An important new element of the Ben Chiarot transaction has just surfaced

This is the news of the day in the hockey world, the Montreal Canadiens have traded defenseman Ben Chiarot to the Florida Panthers in exchange for:

A 2023 1st round pick, a 2022 4th round pick and prospect Ty Smilanic.

Note also that MTL is withholding half of Chiarot's salary, through the end of this season.

Smilanic, 20, was drafted 74th overall by the Panthers in 2020. He has 22 points in 38 games this NCAA season (13 goals) and 21 points in 29 games last season (14 goals).


He plays for Quinnipiac University.

As illustrated by the excellent Marc-Olivier Beaudoin, there is an important element of the trade that has just surfaced.

The 2023 first round pick that moves from the Panthers, to the CH, in the Ben Chiarot trade, is NOT protected. It's rare that you see that these days, but that's the case here.

So even if the Panthers lose several players this summer and have problems with injuries (and finish low in the standings), even if their pick miraculously becomes top-5 or top-3, it will still be owned by the Montreal Canadiens.

Interesting!