“Canadiens Acquire Forward Filip Cederqvist in Minor Trade, Harvey-Pinard Returns After Injury Layoff”

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes executed a minor trade on Thursday, bringing forward Filip Cederqvist from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for future considerations.

Additionally, forward Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, who missed the last 24 games due to a lower-body injury, is set to return to the lineup against the San Jose Sharks at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM). In the 13 games he played this season, Harvey-Pinard recorded four assists but no goals. He will be taking Emil Heineman’s spot in the lineup.

Cederqvist, a 6-foot-3, 208-pound left-winger from Sweden, was selected by the Sabres in the fifth round (143rd overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft and has yet to make an NHL appearance. In 19 games this season with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, Cederqvist has 1 goal and 3 assists, following a productive season last year with 9 goals, 11 assists, and 20 points in 55 games.

Reflecting on his experience in the AHL, Cederqvist acknowledged the challenges of the league but expressed satisfaction with his performance. Dealing with injuries, he described the season as a battle and highlighted his improvement in skating and playing at a faster pace.