The Montreal Canadiens have acquired right wing Devante Smith-Pelly from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for left wing Jiri Sekac, the clubs announced Tuesday morning.
The 22-year-old Sekac has played in just 50 career NHL games with Montreal, scoring 16 points and recording 18 penalty minutes this season. A native of Kladno, Czech Republic, Sekac appeared in 47 games with HC Lev Praha of the Kontinental Hockey League last season, registering 28 points. He represented his country twice at the world junior championships.
Smith-Pelly, also 22, has recorded 40 points in 129 career NHL games with Anaheim. A second-round draft choice (42nd overall) of the Ducks in 2010, Smith-Pelly is a power forward known for his hard hitting and forechecking.
The Scarborough, Ont., native scored five goals for Anaheim in 12 playoff games last spring, more than any other Duck.
“He fits what we’re looking for,” Montreal GM Marc Bergevin told reporters of Smith-Pelly. “He’s a big body, right shot that goes to the hard areas, goes to the net. We’re giving up a really good young hockey player also. There’s a price to pay to get what you want, and Jiri was the case.”
The deal provides the Canadiens with a measure of salary cap relief.
Sekac carries a $1.35-million hit, while Smith-Pelly earns $800,000.
Both players are signed through the end of 2015-16, at which point they will become restricted free agents.
Been a pleasure playin with u @sekacjiri Will miss ya bud! @smithpelly23 welcome to the @CanadiensMTL U thought hockey was fun b4. Just wait
— Brandon Prust (@BrandonPrust8) February 24, 2015
