MONTREAL - Montreal Canadiens defenceman Hal Gill has been traded to Nashville as part of a deal that fetched the Habs a second-round pick.
The Canadiens acquired Blake Geoffrion, Robert Slaney, and second-round round draft pick in 2012 from the Predators for Hal Gill and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2013.
Geoffrion, the Predators' second-round pick in 2006, has family ties to the Canadiens.
His father Dan, grandfather Bernie ("Boom Boom"), and great-grandfather Howie Morenz all played in the NHL.
In 2011, he became the fourth straight generation in his family to play in the NHL.
In a statement, Habs general manager Pierre Gauthier thanked Gill for his service over the past three years.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank Hal Gill for his contribution to our team," he said.
"His leadership and commitment were much appreciated. I wish him the best of luck with his new team. We are also very pleased to have acquired a second-round draft selection in 2012 and two young prospects for our organization."
Gill, a mainstay on the Canadiens' penalty kill and a Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has played 1,047 NHL regular season games.
The 24-year old Geoffrion played 22 games with the Predators this season, registering three assists while playing an average of 10 minutes and 20 seconds per game.
In his second year in professional hockey this season, he also played with the AHL Milwaukee Admirals recording nine points, including two goals, in 20 games.
The 6'01", 190 lbs left-winger has collected 6 goals, 5 assists in 42 regular season games in the NHL.
A native of Plantation, Florida, Geoffrion was drafted in the second round, 56th overall by the Predators at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
He was awarded the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, as the Top U.S. Collegiate Player in 2010.
Slaney, 23, notched one assist in nine games with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals, and 18 points in 30 games with the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones this season.
The Upper Cove Island, Newfoundland native Slaney signed as a free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009. He was acquired from Toronto by the Predators last July.
