The Montreal Canadiens have signed Manny Malholtra to a one-year deal worth $850,000. Malholtra fills a need for the team as a fourth line centre. The Canadiens recently traded Daniel Briere, and have allowed Ryan White to be an unrestricted free agent.
Malholtra told TSN that he choose Montreal because he wanted another chance to win the Stanley Cup.
Returning from a horrific, career-threatening eye-injury, Malholtra played with the Carolina Hurricanes last season, scoring 7 goals and 13 points in 69 games.
The Montreal Canadiens also signed 22-year-old KHL winger Jiri Sekac, who was one of the most sought after European players this season. Sekac is 6’2 190 lb Czech left winger and many believe he is close to NHL ready. He scored 11 goals and 28 points in the KHL this season. The deal is a two-year entry level deal.
Sekac has an awkward skating stride, but he gets where he is going. He protects the puck well and shows a quick shot and release, good vision, and very good puck handling skills. He also plays a decent two-way game. Bob Mckenzie reported that up to 12 NHL teams were interested in signing Sekac.
Sekac also scored two goals for the Czechs in the World Championships, and played very well almost scoring two more when he hit the post against Canada and Norway.
Sekac likely projects as a third liner in the NHL with an outside chance he could play on the second line in time.
The Canadiens also signed Tom Gilbert to a two-year deal worth $2.8 million per season. Gilbert had a strong bounce back season with the Florida Panthers last year, scoring 3 goals and 28 points. His right handed shot will be key for the Habs who only had P.K. Subban who shoots right on the NHL roster.
Update: Later in the day, the Canadiens re-signed another right handed defenceman, inking Mike Weaver to a one-year deal. They also signed goaltender Joey MacDonald to a two-way deal where he will likely play for their AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs.
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