NHL Landscape: Canadiens’ Struggles and Petry’s Milestone
The landscape of the NHL saw both a challenging moment for the Montreal Canadiens and a significant achievement for a former player. As the Canadiens fell to their fourth consecutive loss, Jeff Petry reached a notable career milestone by competing in his 1,000th game as a member of the Florida Panthers.
Petry’s Journey with the Canadiens
Petry, who dedicated eight of his 16 NHL seasons to Montreal, was obtained by the Canadiens during the 2015 trade deadline in exchange for a second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick. Initially perceived as a potential rental, Petry established himself as a formidable presence on the blue line after finishing the 2014-2015 season with seven points in 19 appearances, thus earning a six-year contract extension valued at a $5.5 million cap hit.
Over time, Petry evolved from contributing 16 points in his inaugural full season to consistently delivering more than 40 points annually during the final years of his contract. His impressive performance was part of what led then-General Manager Marc Bergevin to grant him a four-year contract extension in September 2020, with a cap hit of $6.25 million. During his 508 games with the Canadiens, Petry accumulated 248 points, proving to be a vital asset, particularly during the tenure of Shea Weber, who often dealt with injuries and relied on Petry to fill the leadership role on defense.
Challenges and Trade
However, the COVID-19 pandemic created significant challenges for Petry, particularly when his family remained in the United States during the 2020 season due to travel restrictions. This difficult situation prompted him to seek a trade, despite recently signing an extension. The Petry family left an indelible mark on the organization, with his wife Julie launching a clothing line called Line Change alongside Carey Price’s wife, Angela. Initially exclusive to Canadiens merchandise, the brand has since expanded its reach and is now collaborating with Jessica Campbell, the first female assistant coach in NHL history.
The family’s eldest child, Boyd, gained a following through the Canadiens’ social media, which showcased his experiences attending games and events. Eventually, the Canadiens orchestrated a trade involving Petry to acquire Mike Matheson from the Pittsburgh Penguins, which saw Ryan Poehling move in the opposite direction along with a 2023 fourth-round pick, marking a beneficial exchange for Montreal. Matheson has since established himself as a fundamental component in the Canadiens’ defensive line-up.
Petry’s New Chapter
Following a brief stint with the Penguins, where Petry played 61 games, he was temporarily re-traded back to Montreal before being sent to the Detroit Red Wings — the franchise he idolized as a child, owing to his father’s connection with the Detroit Tigers in baseball.
Kent Hughes’ strategic handling of this situation was appreciated across the league, as it reflected a deep respect for the player’s circumstances. After two seasons with the Red Wings, Petry signed a one-year deal worth $775,000 with the Panthers, aspiring to win a Stanley Cup before retirement. Though the Panthers have faced injury challenges this season, they remain in contention for the playoffs.
Celebrating the Milestone
In celebrating his 1,000-game milestone, Florida honored Petry with a pregame ceremony where he received a silver stick, highlighting the special moment further as his sons announced the starting lineup in the dressing room. In total, Petry has registered 390 points by the conclusion of his milestone game, with 64% of that output achieved during his time with the Canadiens.
