The Montreal Canadiens are in the midst of the extremely busy part of their offseason. But they are also taking care of some minor league business as well.
The NHL Draft was just held on Thursday and Friday with the Habs adding 11 new prospects to the organization. They also swing a couple of huge trades that sent Alexander Romanov packing for Kirby Dach.
The free agent window is about to open as well. The Canadiens probably won’t be the most active team on the market that day, but free agent frenzy will take place on Wednesday, July 13th. The Canadiens are certainly not looking for the key piece to get them over the top, nor do they have the cap space to bring anyone of value in to the organization anyway.
In fact, they are probably going to be busiest trying to convince teams that didn’t get the free agents they wanted to trade for their players instead. Jeff Petry, Mike Hoffman and Joel Armia are sure to have their names tossed around in trade talks next week.
But, even in the middle of the most hectic part of the offseason, the Canadiens have to take care of their minor league squad as well. The Laval Rocket just made a run to the Calder Cup semifinals and they haven’t been forgotten and neither have the players who helped get them there.
Brandon Gignac, a 24 year old from Repentigny, Quebec just signed a two-year contract with the Laval Rocket. It is a minor league only deal, so it doesn’t count against the NHL limit of 50 for the organization, and it keeps Gignac with the Rocket for a couple years after a strong season.
2021-22 was his first season with Laval and he scored ten goals and 26 points in 48 games. He helped them make their run in the playoffs with five goals and nine points in 13 playoff contests.
The 5’11” and 185 pound forward was a third round pick of the New Jersey Devils back in 2018. He seems to have found the perfect spot to continue his pro career, close to home and playing an important role in an AHL organization.
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