Just one day before free agency begins, the Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic.
The right-handed defenseman was a great depth option for a young blue line with no professional experience when he was first claimed off waivers by the Winnipeg Jets. Despite having a fantastic rookie year with Jordan Harris, the right-handed defenseman struggled to secure a long-term position because of the defensive impasse.
In addition to being a soothing presence in the locker room, Kovacevic also kept a positive outlook despite the challenges of playing for a team that was rebuilding.
Though their blue line is already among the youngest in the league, the Canadiens have a wealth of skill on the back end, with multiple prospects vying for a spot. On the right side, Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher, and Justin Barron are all aiming for a bigger role, and on the left, Lane Hutson, Adam Engstrom, and Jayden Struble are expected to assist.
The New Jersey Devils will give the 26-year-old defenseman to the Canadiens in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2026. It’s a fair, if unspectacular, return.
The Canadiens have traded goalkeeper Jake Allen to New Jersey at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, making this their second trade with the Devils in as many months.
It’s safe to say that the waiver pickup turned out to be a brilliant move despite its initial desperate nature, which is always a pleasant surprise in the salary-cap landscape. This is especially true given that the Montreal Canadiens utilized no assets to acquire Kovacevic in the first place and that he served the team admirably for two years.
We express our gratitude to Kovacevic for his diligent efforts in Montreal and extend our best wishes for him as he endeavors to advance in his NHL career.
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