The Anaheim Ducks have traded 24-year-old defenseman, Brandon Montour, to the Buffalo Sabres. In return, they received a first-round pick and 21-year-old defenseman, Brendan Guhle. Montour has been a key component of the Ducks top 4 for the past two seasons after taking over the role from Sami Vatanen. The highly skilled, smooth skating defenseman was thought to be part of the long term plans of Anaheim, so what changed?
This season has been tough for the Anaheim Ducks, Brandon Montour included. The plan was for Montour to take a big step forward and cement himself long term, proving that he was deserving of a big raise off of his bridge contract signed in the summer.