MONTREAL, June 29 (UPI) -- The Montreal Canadiens traded forward Sergei Kostitsyn to Nashville for forward Dustin Boyd and goaltender Dan Ellis Tuesday, the team said.
Future considerations and a fifth-round conditional pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft are also part of the deal. Because all the players' contracts are set to expire Thursday, the draft pick could be sent to either team, depending on whether each player signs with his new team or if his rights end up being dealt.
Ellis, 30, an unrestricted free agent, is a likely replacement for Jaroslav Halak in the Canadiens' net. Halak was sent to St. Louis this month.
Boyd, 23, also an unrestricted free agent, notched 11 goals and 13 assists in 78 games last season with Calgary and Nashville.
Kostitsyn, 23, is a restricted free agent. In 47 regular-season games with the Canadiens last season he totaled seven goals and 11 assists.
