The Montreal Canadiens are bringing a familiar face back to the organization. Montreal announced today they’ve agreed to terms with defenseman Otto Leskinen on a one-year, two-way contract, paying him the league-minimum $750,000 at the NHL level and $300,000 at the minor-league level.
It’s the second time Leskinen has signed with the Canadiens as a free agent. The native of Pieksämäki, Finland, spent the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons in the Canadiens organization before he returned to Finland for 2021-22. He played six games with Montreal at the NHL level over those two years.
He returns to North America after a triumphant return to his native Finland last season. Starting the season with Jokerit Helsinki of the KHL, Leskinen left mid-season and joined Tappara in the Liiga for the stretch run, notching eight points in 10 regular-season games and 10 points in 15 playoff games en route to a league championship.
The 25-year-old will play a prominent role in AHL Laval next season in all likelihood, but he’s also solid injury insurance and a good call-up option if things go awry on the back end for Montreal. Leskinen will again be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.