The seal has officially been broken on the trade deadline, as the Montreal Canadiens have acquired center Eric Staal from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for two 2021 draft choices; a third-rounder and a fifth-rounder. Buffalo also retains $1.62 million in salary, half of Staal's stipend this year.

Where did Eric Staal go?

Center Eric Staal was traded to the Montreal Canadiens Friday in exchange for a third and fifth-round pick in the upcoming NHL Draft.

Was Eric Staal traded to Montreal?

Eric Staal gets traded to the Montreal Canadiens

Staal said an important factor was Canada's decision, reported by the Canadian Press on Friday, to allow traded NHL players to quarantine seven days, not 14, before playing their first game.