Five years later, Brandon Gignac is back in the National League.
The forward signed a two-year contract with the Canadian, the team announced Sunday morning. The agreement covers the end of this season and the 2024-2025 campaign.
His contract means that he is automatically recalled and is part of the 23-player roster. He will therefore participate in training on Sunday.
Gignac, 26, wears the colors of the Laval Rocket for a third season. However, he was doing so under an American League contract, which made him ineligible for a call-up to the NHL.
The native center of Repentigny comes to 1er rank of the Rocket, and tied for 5e rank in the AHL, with 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) in 43 games. Known for his great speed, Gignac has been on a roll lately with seven points in his last four outings.
The Canadian also announced the recall of striker Lucas Condotta. The latter had played in CH’s last two matches before the spring break.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Lucas Condotta
The Habs are left with a gaping hole at center now that Sean Monahan has been traded to the Jets. Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans are the only healthy centers. A third, Alex Newhook, has been missing since December and is approaching a return to play.
The situation should, logically, allow Gignac to reconnect with the NHL, he who played only one game in the big league, in 2018-2019, with the Devils.
The Canadian returns to training Sunday afternoon in Brossard, in preparation for his match on Tuesday in Washington.