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Montreal trades Ryan O’Byrne to Colorado for prospect Michael Bournival

Montreal Canadiens v Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 9: Max Talbot #25 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ryan O’Byrne #20 of the Montreal Canadiens mix it up in the first period at Consol Energy Center on October 9, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Justin K. Aller

With the number of injures the Colorado Avalanche have along their blue line (Kyle Cumiskey, Adam Foote, Kyle Quincey) you had to figure with them running with a contingency of former Boston University standouts wasn’t going to last too long. It didn’t and the Avs were able to trade for Canadiens defenseman Ryan O’Byrne today. In exchange, the Avs send prospect Michael Bournival to the Habs. Bournival was a third round pick in the 2010 NHL draft and he’s currently playing for Shawinigan in the QMJHL.

O’Byrne is a tough, physical defenseman who found himself buried on the depth chart in Montreal. He’s also got a history of making high profile mistakes both on the ice (like when scoring this goal into his own net) and off of it (being arrested, and later cleared, for stealing a purse). For the Avs, he’ll slot in just fine as the big body physical presence they’re lacking with Foote and Quincey out of the lineup. The Habs are able to add another forward prospect to their coffers and they’ll be able to keep a close eye on Bournival with him playing in Quebec Major-Juniors. In reality, he’s a kid we won’t hear much about for a few years, if at all.