Montreal, QC -- With emergence of the new Old Time Hockey League, teams are already on the verge of turning their rosters around.
Late Tuesday night, the Phoenix Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks kicked off the trading season with the complision of a four-player deal that saw defenseman Derek Morris move to the Western Canadian coast.
Shortly there after, the Coyotes dipped into the trading waters once again - this time, with the Montreal Canadiens.
In a three-player deal, the Canadiens shipped off physical and defensive forward Jason Ward and talented young winger Marcel Hossa to the 'Yotes for center Daymond Langkow.
"This was quite the difficult deal to make," said Canadiens general manager Dave Pagnotta. "We gave up two kids we were very high on to land Daymond. At the same time, though, we're very excited to have him join our team."
Ward, 25, and Hossa, 22, were expected to play vital roles with the Habs during the 2004-05 season.
"We were looking forward to using these two kids every day," Pagnotta said. "We wish them the best in Phoenix, where we know they'll mold into quality hockey players."
Shortly after being dealt, the 5'11, 185-pound Langkow restructured his contract with the Canadiens. The 28-year-old now has a new 5-year, $13.5 million deal on his plate that will see him earn $2.7 million a season.
Habs continue shopping
With their first deal in the books, the Canadiens aren't reportedly done. According to sources, Pagnotta is hoping to upgrade his wings and blueline.
"They'll probably make a few more deals between now and the draft," said a source close to the team.
The Habs are supposedly shopping center Yanic Perreault, offensive winger Pierre Dagenais and defensemen Craig Rivet, Stephane Quintal and Francis Bouillon.