Tampa Bay Lightning complete trade hours before Canadiens game

The Minnesota Wild acquired forward Boris Katchouk from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Michael Milne. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens are facing the Lightning tonight at 5 p.m.

On the Lightning side, Milne is immediately headed to the AHL, as he is set to report to the Syracuse Crunch. This season, the 23-year-old forward played 15 games with the Iowa Wild and recorded 2 goals and 5 points, along with 14 penalty minutes.

Over the course of his AHL career, Milne has now played 172 games with the Iowa Wild. He has totaled 32 goals and 65 points, in addition to 104 penalty minutes, which gives a clear picture of his workload.

Drafted in the third round in 2022, 89th overall, Milne remains a young prospect within an organization's depth chart. He was under a two-way contract for the 2025-26 season, with a salary of $775,000 in the NHL and $100,000 in the AHL.

On the other side, Katchouk is also heading to the American Hockey League, where he will report to the Iowa Wild. At 27 years old, he brings a 6-foot-2, 212-pound frame, along with solid professional experience.

This season, Katchouk has played 3 NHL games and has also recorded 10 points in 21 games with the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL. Over his NHL career, he has totaled 179 games, 15 goals, 36 points, and 78 penalty minutes, with stints in Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Ottawa.

Katchouk was a second-round pick in 2016, 44th overall, and he previously won gold at the 2018 World Junior Championship with Canada. Two affordable contracts, two different profiles, and a Sunday that just added a bit of spice to the trade market.

As for tonight's game in Tampa Bay, the Canadiens are set for an important matchup following the Christmas break. Samuel Montembeault is back with the team and has spoken openly about his stint in Laval.