Habs News: Montreal Canadiens, Marc Bergevin, NHL, Corey Perry, David Savard, Cedric Paquette, Chris Wideman, Mike Hoffman

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | MONTREAL, QC. — It was no secret. The names had been widely circulated in the media for several days. But GM Marc Bergevin looking to fill holes in his roster given recent departures. His top priority was to address the loss of the Canadiens captain to the lineup and dressing room.

“We wanted to make up for the loss of Shea (Weber) as best we could. I think everyone knows that Shea to irreplaceable, both on the ice and in the dressing room,” said Bergevin. “By bringing David (Savard) to Montreal, we envision a similar player on the penalty kill. He has very good size. He’s really intense. He brings toughness in front of the net. We want to build a similar quartet on defense. I think David can fill the hole left by Shea in that regard.”

David Savard

The Montreal Canadiens have signed right-handed defenceman David Savard to a four-year contract at $3.5 million per season. The 30-year-old Savard skated with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020-21 recording one goal, five assists for six points in 54 games. In the playoffs, Savard won his first Stanley Cup as the Lightning defeated the Canadiens in five games.

“It’s a team I didn’t face during the regular season, but they impressed me a lot in the Final. They have a lot of talent. The young guys have really developed over the last few years. They elevated their game and they’re playing important roles now. The club also has one of the best goaltenders in the world. They’re extremely competitive. I just want to help and bring experience. I want to play the same style of game like I did with Columbus and Tampa Bay. I’m going to try and play well defensively. I want to be physical and tough to play against.” — David Savard

Mike Hoffman

The Montreal Canadiens signed forward Mike Hoffman to a three-year contract at $4.5 million per season. The 31-year-old Hoffman is coming off a 52-game season with the St. Louis Blues where he recorded 17 goals (seven on the power-play), 19 assists for 36 points. Hoffman played his junior hockey in the QMJHL with the Gatineau Olympiques, Drummondville Voltigeurs and Saint John Sea Dogs.

Cedric Paquette

The Montreal Canadiens have signed defensive forward Cedric Paquette to a one-year contract worth $950,000. The 27-year-old Paquette skated with the Ottawa Senators and  Carolina Hurricanes in 2020-21 recording four goals, four assists for eight points in 47 games. Paquette played four of Carolina’s 11 playoff games registering one assist.

“There’s still some time before training camp. I think I’m a fourth-line player who can also play on the third line. I’m a center who can help out on the wing. I played a lot of wing this past season, so I’m used to it. I also think I can help the youngsters at center.” — Cedric Paquette

Chris Wideman

The Montreal Canadiens have signed defensive forward Chris Wideman to a one-year contract worth $750,000. The 31-year-old Wideman skated with the Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo in 2020-21 recording nine goals, 32 assists for 41 points and 73 penalty minutes in 59 games. Wideman led all defencemen in points in the KHL last season.

Help on the way for Laval

The Montreal Canadiens also signed two players to one-year, two-way contracts to add to the roster of the Laval Rocket.

Forward Jean-Sébastien Dea skated last season with the AHL’s Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres) registering six goals, nine assists for 15 points in 15 games.

Defenceman Louie DelPedio played with the Iowa Wild (Minnesota Wild) in 2020-21 tallying tree goals, five assists for eight points in 23 games.

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