When free agency opened up the Canadiens were very aggressive in pursuing forward Daniel Briere. Despite a better off from the Canadiens, Briere ultimately chose to sign with the Philadelphia Flyers on an 8 year $52 million deal.
Day 2 of free agency saw the Canadiens sign former 1992 1st overall pick, defenceman Roman Hamrlik to a 4 year $22 million contract. The Canadiens also signed veteran centerman Bryan Smolinski on a 1 year $2 million deal.
Other free agent additions included Tom Kostopoulos, Jamie Rivers and the return of Patrice Brisebois.
The Canadiens lost a couple of players in free agency. Much to his wife’s chagrin, Sheldon Souray signed a deal with the Edmonton Oilers. Radek Bonk also packed his bags from Montreal to Nashville, joining the Predators. Goaltender David Aebischer also left for Phoenix, while Mike Johnson bolted for St. Louis.
On the trade front, the Canadiens traded their 7th round pick to the New York Rangers for the rights to Ryan Russell. Sergei Samsonov was shipped to Chicago in return for Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen. Goaltender Michael Leighton was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in return for a 7th round pick to round up the summer activities.
Aside from the addition of Hamrlik, the media were adamant that this was a lackluster summer for the bleu-blanc-rouge.