Daniel Briere traded to Colorado for Parenteau

Bob McKenzie at TSN reports that the Montreal Canadiens have traded veteran forward Daniel Briere to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward P.A. Parenteau and a 5th round pick in the 2015 NHL draft.

Multiple outlets have since confirmed the news. The Habs pick up Parenteau, who scored 14 goals in 55 games with Colorado last season. Parenteau has two years left on his deal with $4 million due in each season.

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Briere has one year left at an equal salary level. The deal is a wash as far as money is concerned for next year.

The Avalanche meanwhile get Daniel Briere, who had 25 points in 69 games with the Montreal Canadiens last year. Briere was a regular on the team’s bottom lines, but he did come through with 7 points in 16 playoff games this last spring.

Briere has amassed 116 playoff points in 124 games, which is likely the key to Colorado’s thinking behind this trade. They made the playoffs last year, but fell short in the first round.

Playoff accolades aside, it’s a curious move for Colorado, which can’t expect much of an offensive boost, but assumes the great risk of injury that has accompanied Briere for a while now. The Avalanche won their division last season and were looking to build on the young core that got them there.

Instead, the Avs have sent one of their guys packing for a risky veteran pickup who hasn’t really panned out in Montreal.

For now at least, it appears the Canadiens got the better end of this deal. Come playoff time though, we might all be singing a different tune.