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Thomas Vanek traded to Montreal Canadiens from New York Islanders - ESPN New York
The Montreal Canadiens made a splash prior to Wednesday's trade deadline, acquiring high-scoring left wing Thomas Vanek from the New York Islanders.
The Islanders, who landed Vanek earlier this season in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres, received a conditional second-round draft pick in 2014 and prospect Sebastian Collberg from the Canadiens, who also got a conditional fifth-round pick.
The draft picks will be exchanged only if the Canadiens (34-22-7), who entered Wednesday with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, reach the playoffs this season, a source told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun.
"When you think of a hockey mecca, Montreal is it," Vanek said on a conference call. "I played many times for Buffalo in Montreal, and it's so electric. I'm super excited."
Vanek has 21 goals and 32 assists in 60 games, and is now the Canadiens' leading scorer. He should provide some punch for Montreal, which ranks 20th in the league in scoring.
Vanek, who is in the final season of a $50 million, seven-year contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, had told the Islanders he wasn't interested in signing a contract extension and was eager to test the free-agent market.
The Islanders, who landed Vanek earlier this season in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres, received a conditional second-round draft pick in 2014 and prospect Sebastian Collberg from the Canadiens, who also got a conditional fifth-round pick.
The draft picks will be exchanged only if the Canadiens (34-22-7), who entered Wednesday with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference, reach the playoffs this season, a source told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun.
"When you think of a hockey mecca, Montreal is it," Vanek said on a conference call. "I played many times for Buffalo in Montreal, and it's so electric. I'm super excited."
Vanek has 21 goals and 32 assists in 60 games, and is now the Canadiens' leading scorer. He should provide some punch for Montreal, which ranks 20th in the league in scoring.
Vanek, who is in the final season of a $50 million, seven-year contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, had told the Islanders he wasn't interested in signing a contract extension and was eager to test the free-agent market.