The Montreal Canadiens made the first trade of day just hours prior to the 2020 NHL Draft. They sent restricted free agent Max Domi to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Josh Anderson. Joining Anderson in the deal was a third-round pick (78th overall).
Anderson only played 26 games last season due a shoulder injury that saw his season end early. In those 26 games, Anderson recorded one goal along with three assists for a total of four points. He also added 17 penalty minutes.
Thus far through his career with Columbus, the right-winger had scored 65 goals along with 50 assists through 267 games. Coming in at 6’3 and 222 pounds, Anderson had his best season with the organization back in 2017. In doing so, he scored 27 goals, recording 47 points through 82 games played. In the playoffs, Anderson added three goals along with five assists through 21 games.
Max Domi was acquired two seasons ago from the Arizona Coyotes in a one-for-one swap. That saw Alex Galchenyuk sent out to the desert. Domi was having a great year then, finishing the season with 72 points. That to be said, the last two seasons, he has started to decline.
Domi spent most of the playoffs this year playing on the fourth line and only recorded three points. He did so in game one and that would be all before the Habs were eliminated.
In the trade to acquire Anderson, the Canadiens were looking for size, grit and scoring, which they hope he will fit the team’s billing. Again, another failed experiment for Marc Bergevin, but let’s see if this one is any better.