The Canadiens trade Riley Kidney to the Senators

The NHL trade deadline is now behind us. For the past week, teams in the Bettman circuit have been prohibited from making trades… but in reality, we're still seeing a few go through.
Why? The trade deadline hasn't passed yet in the AHL, which means some teams are looking to strengthen their farm teams. And just moments ago, the Habs made a move in that direction: the club traded Riley Kidney, a former second-round pick, to the Senators.
In return, the Canadiens acquired two players whose contracts are expiring: forward Jake Chiasson (who will play in Trois-Rivières)… but most importantly, goaltender Hunter Shepard, who is heading to Laval.
And that's a good sign for those who want to see Jacob Fowler finish the season in Montreal.

The Canadiens have acquired goaltender Hunter Shepard and forward Jake Chiasson from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forward Riley Kidney.
Press release ↓ #GoHabsGohttps://t.co/HN2ezvJ2NR
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) March 13, 2026

In reality, the key takeaway from all this is that the CH went out and found a goalie to help the Rocket. And if they did, it's not because Kaapo Kahkönen isn't getting the job done down there: it's because we don't expect to see Fowler back.
And in Shepard, the Rocket gets a guy who knows how to win… and who knows how to grow a major league mane, hehe.

I had raised the possibility that the Canadiens would go after a veteran goaltender for the AHL. Not only did they just do that, but they went after two-time Calder Cup winner Hunter Shepard from Hershey.
Fowler will stay with the Habs. https://t.co/zrVREwnX5y
— Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) March 13, 2026

The Rocket's new goalie is (already) a legend. pic.twitter.com/HsONChf5Zq
— Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) March 13, 2026
It should be noted that Kidney, who was selected by Marc Bergevin and not by the current management, had no role within the organization. He was playing for the Trois-Rivières Lions… and it was very clear that he wasn't part of the Habs' future plans.
He helped the Habs get some help in front of the Rocket's net… and provided a safety net in Laval to keep Jacob Fowler with the big club.

Extension It should be noted that, in addition to Kidney, the Senators' farm team will also acquire defenseman Ryan O'Rourke, who was traded in a deal between the Rocket and the Baby Sens in exchange for future considerations.
Since he does not have an NHL contract, a trade between the two AHL clubs was necessary to send him to the Senators' organization.

The Laval Rocket announced that defenseman Ryan O'Rourke has been traded to the Belleville Senators for future considerations. The Laval Rocket announced that defenseman Ryan O'Rourke has been traded to the Belleville Senators for future considerations. pic.twitter.com/nhkC4QeCPI
— Laval Rocket (@RocketLaval) March 13, 2026