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Montreal Canadiens: Mitchell Stephens Re-Signs With Habs

By Ken MacMillan

Sep 28, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Mitchell Stephens (13) skates with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Mitchell Stephens (13) skates with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Montreal Canadiens continue to add, or in this case retain, depth in the organization with players that could have an impact at the AHL level next season.

After bringing in Phillip Maillet, Lias Andersson and Brady Keeper who should play big roles for the Laval Rocket next season, the Canadiens announced another minor league signing this morning. This time it was to bring back someone who was in Laval last season.

Mitchell Stephens officially agreed to return on a one-year, two-way contract with the organization. He was a restricted free agent after the Canadiens gave him a qualifying offer in late June to avoid losing him to free agency.

According to capfriendly.com, the contract is worth $775,000 at the NHL level and Stephens will earn $300,000 while playing for the Rocket.

The 26 year old center played 68 games with the Rocket last season, scoring 20 goals and 41 points. It was his first season in the Canadiens organization after he had scored six points in 27 NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings in 2021-22.

The Peterborough, Ontario native was a second round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2015 after a strong career in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit and London Knights. He also had five points in five games at the 2017 World Juniors as well as two points in the 2016 World Junior tournament.

In 72 career NHL games with the Lightning and Red Wings, Stephens has scored three goals and 13 points. He has proven to be a big scorer at the AHL level and will continue to add scoring and two-way play for the Rocket next season.

The Canadiens still have four remaining restricted free agents with Alex Newhook being the biggest. He could command a multi-year one-way contract with the Canadiens. The others are Jesse Ylonen, Lucas Condotta and Nic Beaudin who are all likely to sign one-year, two-way contracts although Ylonen would require waivers next season and is likely to play the whole season with the Canadiens.

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