The Montreal Canadiens have apparently liked what they’ve seen from Nicolas Deslauriers this season, and have signed the forward to a two-year extension worth $950K per season. Deslauriers was set to become an unrestricted free agent in July, but will now stay with the Canadiens through the 2019-20 season.
Deslauriers, 26, was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres at the start of the season in exchange for Zach Redmond, and has made quite the impact in Montreal. The third-round pick has played a heavy game for the Canadiens, finishing his checks and providing a bit of secondary scoring. With seven goals through 36 games, Deslauriers has already set his career-high in goals and actually is tied with or has more than other more high profile players like Tomas Plekanec, Artturi Lehkonen and Phillip Danault.
Though he’ll never be expected to be a top line option, locking in a useful bottom-six forward for less than $1MM per season doesn’t pose much risk. Even if Deslauriers takes a step backwards, the Canadiens can easily bury his cap hit in the minor leagues. Though this won’t fix Montreal’s problems, it’s a nice reward for a player that has performed admirably even in a minor role.
Good deal. Deslauriers has been a solid bottom 6 player since his call up and he earned this extension.