The Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars have completed a trade that will send right winger Erik Cole to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Michael Ryder, who also is a right winger. The 34-year old Cole has tallied three goals and three assists in 19 games this year, while the 32-year old Ryder has six goals and eight assists for the Stars this season.

Ryder is a free agent after this season while Cole has three years left on his deal at $4.5 million per year. Cole had a very successful year last year with the Habs where he tallied 35 goals and 26 assists in 82 games. Ryder, last year for the Stars, had similar success with 35 goals and 27 assists in 82 games, almost identical numbers.

Each forward will look to help their respective teams get into the playoffs down the stretch.