Marc Bergevin continues to clear up his to-do list ahead of July 1 and free agency, this time signing Xavier Ouellet to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2019-20 season.
Canadiens agree to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with defenseman Xavier Ouellet.
DETAILS ➡ https://t.co/eulwEN8umq #GoHabsGo
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 27, 2019
The deal brings an NHL cap hit of $700,000. Ouellet was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1.
Ouellet played 19 NHL games for the Canadiens last season before being sent to the Laval Rocket, earning three assists. In the AHL, he played 47 games scoring seven goals and adding 21 assists revitalizing the Rocket power play that lost a ton of talented forwards.
He was also named the second captain in team history after the team traded Byron Froese prior to the trade deadline.
Ouellet will get a chance to make the NHL roster, especially should the team not bring back Jordie Benn and Mikey Reilly. If he does go back to Laval, he is a very good to elite AHL defenceman and should provide value no matter where he lands.
