Nashville, TN – The Nashville Predators added depth to their round pick in the 2013 draft from Montreal.
The Predators sent forwards Blake Geoffrion and Robert Slaney and a 2012 second-round pick to the Canadiens.
"Hal Gill brings our team a number of elements -- size, penalty-killing ability, depth on defense and playoff experience," said Predators general manager David Poile. "He has won a Stanley Cup and played a combined 69 playoff games over the last four years, experience that significantly benefits our team."
Gill, 36, registered a goal and eight points in 53 games for the Canadiens this season. Set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, Gill has totaled 36 goals and 143 assists in 1,047 career games with Boston, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Montreal. He won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009.
Being dealt to the Habs is a homecoming for Geoffrion, whose family has a rich history with the franchise. Geoffrion is the grandson of Canadiens great Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion and great-grandson of Montreal legend Howie Morenz, both of whom are in the Hockey Hall of Fame. His father, Dan, also played for the Original Six club.
The 24-year-old and 2010 Hobey Baker Award winner tweeted: "Wow..what a day...its bitter sweet, going to miss my hometown of nashville, but going to where it all started with my family...MONTREAL!!!"
A 2006 second-round pick of the Predators, Geoffrion has six goals and 11 points in 42 career games. He has posted three assists in 22 games this season.
Slaney, 23, has yet to appear in an NHL game. He has split this season between Nashville's AHL affiliate in Milwaukee and Cincinnati of the ECHL.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.