General manager Kent Hughes didn’t make a splash in the early hours after the free agent market opened, but settled a major case by signing Juraj Slafkovsky to a three-year rookie contract.
The Montreal Canadiens did not release financial details of the deal, but the 18-year-old Slovak is expected to sign a contract for the maximum amount of US$950,000 per season. He could earn up to $4.45 million with performance bonuses.
Slafkovsky was selected by the Canadiens first overall in the NHL draft last Thursday. He shone at the Beijing Olympics and at the World Championship, in addition to playing for TPS Turku, in the Finnish league.
For the rest, the Canadian was content to grant two-part one-season contracts to defender Madison Bowey and forwards Anthony Richard and Mitchell Stephens, early Wednesday afternoon.
Before the free agent market opened, the Canadiens announced the return of three forwards who helped the Laval Rocket reach the American Hockey League semi-finals: Alex Belzile, Joël Teasdale and Nate Schnarr.
Some important elements at the Rocket last winter changed sides, including captain Xavier Ouellet, hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bowey, Richard and Stephens could well share their experience with the hopes of the Habs at the Rocket next winter.
Bowey, 27, played 53 games with the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League last winter. He has 158 games of NHL experience with the Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks.
Richard, a 25-year-old center, played 71 games with the Syracuse Crunch and Milwaukee Admirals last season, recording 17 goals and 21 assists. The Trois-Rivières native has played in two career NHL games with the Nashville Predators.
“It’s been almost 10 years since I left my family in August,” noted Richard. When the Canadiens showed interest, I got other offers, but coming home and being able to see my family more often got me excited. »
Richard hopes to shine with the Rocket and eventually have the opportunity to make his niche in the NHL.
“With players like Laurent Dauphin and Rem Pitlick who are not back, there are holes that are opening up in the hierarchy at the Canadiens,” said Richard.
Stephens meanwhile played 27 games with the Red Wings in 2021-22 and had six assists. The 25-year-old Ontarian has played 72 career NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Red Wings.