Montreal Canadiens Send Matthew Peca To Ottawa Senators

The Montreal Canadiens announced they have sent forward Matthew Peca to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2020 seventh-round pick and forward Aaron Luchuk.

On the surface, it’s a very minor deal as the Canadiens only receive seventh-rounder and a prospect who has spent most of his time in the ECHL. However, with the Senators having traded away two players in Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Vladislav Namestnikov earier this morning, the team has lost two roster players. The team is likely to call on some of their young talent currently sitting in the AHL. However, Peca can provide help in two areas — either providing a veteran presence for the Senators or, most likely, he will join the Belleville Senators for their upcoming playoff run. Belleville is currently in first place in the North Division as the team hopes to compete for a Calder Cup this season. Peca had four goals and 13 points in 34 games with the Laval Rocket, but has appeared in five games with Montreal.

Luchuk has now been traded twice in a five-day period. Luchuk was originally with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was traded on Feb. 19 with a 2021 sixth-round pick for forward Max Veronneau. Now the 22-year-old goes on to Montreal. He was dominant with the New Foundland Growlers in the ECHL so far this year with 19 goals and 50 points in 45 games. He played three games with the Toronto Marlies, registering no points. His inclusion is likely just to even out the contacts between the two squads.