Faceoff Factor

Two Trades Just Before Training Camp

Michael Farkas | National Hockey League

Sep 12, 07:32 PM | Hype this story!

The Montreal Canadiens seem to have pulled themselves from the Mats Sundin sweepstakes today by acquiring center Robert Lang from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2nd round pick in 2010.

The 37 year old Lang appeared in 76 games with Chicago last season where he recorded 21 goals and 54 points, his eighth straight 50+ point season. The Czech center is in the final year of a deal that’s worth $4 million per year.

The Canadiens also re-signed defenseman Patrice Brisebois to a one-year contract. Brisebois, also 37, participated in 43 games with Montreal last season, registering 11 points.

Also today, the Phoenix Coyotes shipped scrappy winger Kevin Cormier to New Jersey for defenseman Sean Zimmerman. The 6-foot-3, 236 pound will not be ready in time for training camp due to a knee injury. As part of a fairly common trend with the Devils, Kevin is the older brother of the Devils’ 54th overall selection in 2008, Patrice Cormier.

Cormier, 22, appeared in 23 games for the Arizona Sundogs (CHL) where he gathered five points and 104 penalty minutes. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season ($580,000 cap hit).

Zimmerman, 21, is a defensive defenseman that spent most of last season with the Lowell Devils (AHL) where he produced six assists in 66 games. The Devils’ sixth round pick in 2005 will become a restricted free agent in 2010 ($490,000 cap hit).