According to nhl.com on Wednesday, the Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Ben Chiarot of Hamilton, Ontario to the Florida Panthers for forward prospect Tyler Smilanic, a fourth round draft pick in the 2022 National Hockey League Entry Draft and a first round draft pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The Panthers become Chiarot’s third NHL team following six seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, and three seasons with the Canadiens.
In 2021-22, Chiarot had seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 54 games with the Canadiens. He was a -18, with 42 penalty minutes, two power-play points, one game-winning goal, one shorthanded point, 96 shots on goal, 91 blocked shots, 110 hits, 17 takeaways, and 57 giveaways. The fact that Chiarot has a -40 takeaway/giveaway ratio should concern the Panthers more than the fact he is a -18 so far this season.
Chiarot’s game-winning goal this season was an overtime winner in a 5-4 Canadiens win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on March 3. Chiarot scored from Mike Hoffman of Kitchener, Ontario, and Rem Pitlick at 1:03 of the extra period. Chiarot’s shorthanded point came in a 4-3 Canadiens win over the Philadelphia Flyers on March 13. It was an assist on a goal by Pitlick with 43 seconds left in regulation which tied the game at three at the time.
The Panthers have the second most points in the NHL with 88 points. They have three fewer points than the Colorado Avalanche, who have 91 points.
