Ben Chiarot seemed to be the Plan B for the Montreal Canadiens in their attempt to improve the blueline as the deal came three days after Free Agency opened. Chiarot was a reliable defenceman for the Winnipeg Jets, but expectations were low on him. The consensus was that he would be a good partner for Jeff Petry on the second pair, but not someone who could see top assignments against top competition or produce as much.
It’s been seven months since then. The Montreal Canadiens are fighting for their playoff lives, and Chiarot is on the top pair with Shea Weber.