Rather than test free agency next month, pending UFA Brandon Gignac has decided to head overseas. EHC Kloten in Switzerland announced that they’ve inked the center to a two-year contract.
The 27-year-old was originally drafted by New Jersey in the third round back in 2016. However, playing time was hard to come by at the top level as he made just one NHL appearance with them before being non-tendered in 2021.
That brought him to Montreal’s farm team on a minor-league deal, one that he was able to convert to a two-year, two-way NHL pact in 2023-24. When that happened, Gignac got into seven games with the Canadiens, scoring once while logging a little under 12 minutes a night of playing time. Meanwhile, he had a career year in the AHL with Laval that season, notching 55 points in 61 games.
Coming off that season, there was some thought that Gignac could push for a back-of-the-roster spot with Montreal this year or at least be in line for a recall when injuries arise. However, after clearing waivers in training camp, Gignac suffered a long-term injury that caused him to miss 53 games, putting an end to any hopes of a promotion. He returned for the playoffs and had just three points in 12 games.
Knowing that an NHL opportunity likely wasn’t going to be on the table this summer, Gignac’s options likely would have been limited to two-way offers next month. Instead of taking another one of those, he’ll now try his hand in a new league altogether.