Marc Bergevin clearly targeted his defensive group as one in drastic need of improvement heading into the NHL Trade Deadline. His addition of Jon Merrill was a small but smart piece of business to add a stabilizing presence on the third pair, alongside Brett Kulak or Alexander Romanov. It’s a move that makes sense and the cost paid for it was just a middling AHL prospect and a fifth-round pick.
That deal coincided with Victor Mete going on waivers, and his subsequent claim by the Ottawa Senators on Monday afternoon. With the trade deadline flying by, Bergevin was mostly quiet, not really being tied to anything of substance.