Report: Canadiens part ways with analytics specialist

The Montreal Canadiens are moving on from one of their statistics experts.

Analytics specialist Matt Pfeffer has been let go, a source told Sportsnet's Eric Engels on Wednesday.

Pfeffer's one-year contract was not renewed, but the Canadiens told Engels they'll be "pursuing other options" regarding analytics hires.

He was hired as a consultant last July, although he wasn't technically a team employee. Before joining the Canadiens, he worked with the San Jose Sharks, Hockey Canada, and the OHL's Ottawa 67's.

The reported move could be another sign Montreal is prioritizing physicality over puck possession and speed after a disastrous season caused chiefly by a long-term injury to Hart Trophy winner Carey Price.

Two days before the start of free agency, the Canadiens traded beloved blue-liner - and possession darling - P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber.

A day before that, the Canadiens signed forward Andrew Shaw to a six-year contract after acquiring him from the Chicago Blackhawks on draft night.

That same night, Montreal traded Lars Eller, a solid possession player, to the Washington Capitals for a pair of second-round picks.

General manager Marc Bergevin doesn't want to talk about the Subban trade anymore, but this is just another in a series of moves that will keep the questions coming.