The Montreal Canadiens have dealt forward Daniel Briere to the Colorado Avalanche for Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau and a fifth round pick in 2015.
Parenteau, a 31-year-old forward, had 14 goals and 19 assists last season for the Avalanche.
Briere had 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points in 69 games for the Canadiens last season, as well as another three goals and four assists in 16 playoff games.
Briere, 36, has one year left on a two-year deal he signed last July with the Canadiens which pays him $4 million per season.
Briere was not a favourite of coach Michel Therrien, as his average ice time of 12:46 per game was lower than many other regulars and was even a healthy scratch on several occasions.
His departure leaves the Canadiens with one more spot at the Centre position, one which winger Alex Galchenyuk might be asked to fill.
Parenteau, who stands 6'0" and weighs 193 lb, is midway through a four year deal which also sees him paid $4 million per season. He too was believed not to be the apple of his coach Patrick Roy's eye, as rumours swirled throughout last season of a possible deal. Nonetheless Parenteau played an average of 16:57 per game for the Avalanche.
Parenteau earned a full-time job in the NHL relatively late in his career, in 2010-11 when he scored 20 goals and 33 assists in 81 games for the New York Islanders, his best season in the NHL.
