Jeff Petry has been traded to the Montreal Canadiens for a pair of draft picks.

@FriedgeHNIC: Petry to MON for a 2nd and a 5th, 5th could end up higher on conditions

Could go as high as a third rounder depending on Habs playoffs. Win one round makes it a fourth, 2 rounds and it’s a third — Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) March 2, 2015

The 27 year old defenseman is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st so he will most likely be a rental. A right-handed defenceman, he plays a position that is in high demand this deadline as Cody Franson and Tyler Myers have already been on the move. Petry has been playing top four minutes and been a fixture on the Oilers powerplay this season.

There have been rumors that Petry was going to be traded for weeks and now that has finally come to pass. Petry was the Oilers second leading scoring amongst defenceman, and could even improve on his numbers now that he is with a better team.

Petry’s best season with the Oilers came in 2011-2012 where he had 25 points. Although he may not be a defenseman that’s going to end up on the scoresheet every game, he has been reliable in his own end of the rink as well. No team can ever have too many quality blueliners and Petry adds important blueline depth for the stretch run and the NHL playoffs

This trade continues Edmonton’s rebuild as they move another unrestricted free agent to get future assets for the club. The team has a number of good young assets already in Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, Oscar Klefbom, Leon Draisatl and Jordan Eberle. Near the bottom of the NHL standings they are also in the running for Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, the top prizes in the 2015 NHL draft.

Stay tuned to Last Word on Sports as we cover all the big moves heading towards the NHL Trade Deadline.

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