Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey is still seeking an impact
forward via the UFA market but he still had time to ensure one of his promising
young forwards remained a Hab.
Gainey re-signed winger Andrei Kostitsyn to a three-year
contract worth $3.25 million per season, which has to be considered an
affordable signing for the Habs as it was speculated he could net over $4
million per season, particularly as he could’ve been a target for an offer
sheet.
Kostitsyn is also believed to have received offers from
Russia worth over $5 million per season but spurned those to remain with the
Habs to play alongside his brother Sergei.
In his first full NHL season this past year Kostitsyn
established himself among the Habs top six forwards, with 26 goals and 53
points in 78 games.
Should he continue to improve his new contract could look like a bargain in a couple of years.
kostitsyn is the most talented forward drafted by montreal since ribeiro. it was critical to keep him in the lineup. i was expecting a five year $19 million deal. this signing serves as a blueprint for what komisarek, plekanec and higgins can expect - namely a shorter term deal at the midrange of salaries. hopefully gainey will sign those three to contract extensions before the end of next season.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
