Canadiens Acquire Defenseman Schneider from Thrashers

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Monday that they have acquired veteran defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Atlanta Thrashers along with a conditional draft pick in 2009 for Anaheim's second round pick in 2009 (previously acquired) and also Montreal's third round pick in 2010. The conditional draft pick the Canadiens received will depend on their playoff success. If they miss the playoffs or get eliminated in the first round, they will receive a third round pick. If they win one round, they will receive a fourth round pick. If the Canadiens win two rounds of the playoffs or more, they receive a fifth round pick. This marks Schneider's second stint with the Canadiens, as he played with the team from 1989-90 to 1995 and winning a Stanley Cup with the team in 1993. This trade also marks the second time Schneider has been traded this season, as he was traded to the Thrashers by Anaheim in late September in a salary-dumping move by the Ducks. In 44 games so far this season, Schneider has four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. He missed five games in November with a hip flexor and eight games in December with an upper-body injury. Schneider has played in 1241 NHL games, scoring 216 goals and 501 assists for 717 points over 19 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, and Atlanta Thrashers. This is a decent trade for the Canadiens, as Schneider will bring a wealth of veteran depth and offensive experience to the team's blueline. The Canadiens have been seeking offensive depth for their defense since losing Mark Streit this past summer to the New York Islanders via free agency. While Schneider isn't the offensive threat he used to be, he still gives the Canadiens plenty of offensive firepower from the blueline, especially on the power play.