The Montreal Canadiens shed some salary — and one of their better players — when they dealt veteran defender Jeff Petry on Saturday along with forward Ryan Poehling to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Mike Matheson and a 2023 fourth-round draft pick.

Petry is scheduled to make a reported $6.25 million each of the next three seasons, and Pittsburgh assumed all of his salary in the deal.

The 12-year veteran has scored at least 25 points in six straight seasons despite playing on the back line. In 2021-22, he had 27 points (six goals, 21 assists) in 68 games, marking the fifth consecutive season he has been the Habs’ top scoring defenseman.

Poehling, 23, saw extensive action last season, appearing in 57 games, a career high, to go along with notching career bests in points (17), goals (nine) and assists (eight).

Matheson, 28, is also fresh off a career season in terms of scoring. He had 31 points, 11 goals and 20 assists (all career highs) over 74 games in 2021-22.

–Field Level Media