When Martin St-Louis announced that Ben Chiarot wouldn’t face the Coyotes, we knew it was only a matter of hours before the defenseman would be traded to another roster.
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It took a little over 24 before Kent Hughes and Bill Zito, his Panther counterpart, came to common ground.
It is therefore under the sun and the palm trees that Chiarot will pursue his career. In return for his services, the Canadian gets his hands on a first-round pick in 2023, a fourth-round pick (previously acquired from the Rangers) in 2022 as well as Ty Smilanic, a young 20-year-old prospect.
“I am very happy to join the Panthers. I find myself with a team that will have a chance to make a long run in the playoffs,” said Chiarot, when contacted by The newspaper.
“The Panthers have been at the top of the division practically since day one of the season,” he continued. Offensively, they are dangerous. They score goals by the ton. They also have a good goalkeeper in Bob [Sergei Bobrovsky]. »
The transaction also involves a salary deduction of around 50% from the Canadian. During the day, the Panthers had prepared the ground by sending Frank Vatrano to the New York Rangers, freeing up $2.5 million on their payroll and acquiring the 4 picke round traded at the Canadian.
A rare lefty
With the Panthers, Chiarot will solidify a respectable but generous defensive brigade. Among the teams currently in the playoff portrait, in the Eastern Conference, only the Maple Leafs have allowed more goals than the Florida team.
“I spoke quickly with Bill Zito. He didn’t give me the specific plans. I have no idea who I will play with, said the 30-year-old athlete. But, I expect to get a good role, like I did in Montreal. I can play big minutes. And I love playoff hockey. »
Coach Andrew Brunette will undoubtedly be very happy to be able to count on a second left-handed defender within his squad. Of the five backs he uses most regularly, Gustav Forsling is the only left-hander.
Photo Martin Chevalier
Ben Chiarot played his last game at the Bell Center in a Canadiens uniform on Saturday night when the Seattle Kraken played.
A thought for the supporters
Chiarot therefore leaves Montreal following almost three full seasons in the uniform of the Canadian. The Ontarian had joined the Habs via the free agent market on July 4, 2019.
Marc Bergevin convinced him to join his team by submitting a three-year offer worth a total of $10.5 million.
“It’s hard to leave, I considered Montreal my home for three years. It’s a chapter that ends and another that opens, said Chiarot. I knew it was coming, so I had time to prepare. All that remained was to know the destination. »
In 164 games in Montreal, Chiarot tallied 46 points, including 17 goals. He will be best remembered for the important role he played in the 2021 playoffs.
His solid and physical play in defensive territory as well as his colossal work in numerical inferiority largely contributed to the course which led the Canadian to the Stanley Cup final.
To the delight of the supporters, whom Chiarot wanted to thank.
“They knew how to recognize my style of play. They might applaud a blocked shot, a big check or a blocked pass, not just a goal or a pass. I liked playing for the Canadian, I always felt good. »
