The Montreal Canadiens have decided to re-up Michael Blunden for another year. Blunden is a depth right winger in the organization who serves as the #1 or #2 call up when a fourth liner can’t make the lineup.
Blunden drew into 6 games last season, including 1 playoff game, recording 6 shots and a -1 rating. The year before he was a Randy Cunneyworth favourite and drew into a whopping 39 games, scoring twice and notching as many assists.
Blunden became infamous on EOTP this year as the inspiration for “The Blunden Line”, an imaginary line for prospects where if Blunden is called up before they are, they’re not NHL ready. If you’re below the Blunden line, you’d better work on improving.
PRESS RELEASE
MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced Friday the signing of forward Michael Blunden to a one-year, two-way contract extension (2013-14). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Blunden suited up for five games with the Canadiens in 2012-13, serving four penalty minutes, while averaging 8:20 of ice time per game. The 26-year old forward added 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) and 76 penalty minutes in 54 games with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs.
The 6’04” and 214 lbs forward has produced eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) in 95 NHL career regular season games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Canadiens. Blunden has served 100 penalty minutes.
The Toronto-born Blunden was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in return for forward Ryan Russell on July 7, 2011.
