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It has been almost seven months since the Canadiens traded Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals in exchange for second-round draft picks in 2017 and 2018, but he hasn’t changed much since then.

Eller was always one of the most articulate, intelligent and thoughtful players to interview in the Canadiens locker room — rarely if ever speaking in clichés — and it was the same after he practised with the Capitals on Sunday afternoon in Brossard. Eller will play at the Bell Centre for the first time since the trade when the Capitals face the Canadiens Monday night (7:30 p.m., SNE, RDS, TSN Radio 690).

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When asked if it has been nice to get away from the constant spotlight and scrutiny — both on and off the ice — in Montreal, Eller paused to construct an answer while one reporter said: “watch it” and another added: “careful, Lars.”

Eller didn’t need any advice and responded in his usual, refreshing manner.