Habs News: NHL, Montreal Canadiens, Paul Byron, Artturi Lehkonen, Mathieu Perreault, Eric Raymond, Michael McNiven, RFA

ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The Canadiens training camp will begin with another name added to the injury list. On Friday, the team announced that forward Paul Byron underwent hip surgery in New York earlier in the week.

Byron will require five months for a full recovery, which means that he won’t be ready until the end of December.

In 2019-20, the forward scored five goals and added 11 assists for a total of 16 points in 46 games. In 22 playoff games, he scored three goals and three assists for six total points.

Byron played in a bottom-six role, and was on the second penalty kill unit.

Artturi Lehkonen Contract

On Saturday, Artturi Lehkonen signed a one-year contract with the Canadiens worth $2.3-million. His deal is $100,000 lower than the average of his expiring contract, and he will remain a restricted free agent at the end of the 2021-22 season.

In 47 games last season, Lehkonen scored seven goals and added six assists for a total of 13 points. In 17 playoffs games, he scored three goals and one assist for a total of four points. Two of his goals in the post season were game-winning goals.

Lehkonen is appreciated by his coaches for his play without the puck, his work ethic, and his contribution on the penalty kill. Lehkonen co-led the team with two shorthanded goals in the regular season.

The organization has four outstanding restricted free agents to sign: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Ryan Poehling, Michael Pezzetta, and Michael McNiven. All four received a qualifying offer on July 26th. McNiven filed for arbitration on Sunday, with a hearing to be scheduled between August 11th and 26th.

Mathieu Perreault

The Canadiens newest addition Mathieu Perreault met the media on Friday after signing a one-year contract worth $950,000 on Thursday.

“When I became a free agent and Montreal showed interest, there was a small flame that lit up inside of me. I wouldn’t experience that with any other team. I’ve realized a childhood dream. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to jump on the ice at the Bell Centre wearing a Canadiens jersey. I was so happy when everything came together. It was an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to get started,” Perreault said.

The forward took a significant pay cut from his previous contract with the Jets that paid him on average $4.125-million for four years. “I’ve reached a point in my career where money is less important. I wanted to find a place where I could feel comfortable and happy. Montreal checked all the boxes. It was the best decision for me and my family,” explained the forward.

During his National Hockey League (NHL) career, Perreault has played all three forward positions. “I have experience at the center position and I’m comfortable going back there. I told [Ducharme] that if he needed me at center, I was ready,” Perreault said. The Drummondville native added that Paul Maurice moved him to the wing several years ago in Winnipeg due to back problems while taking faceoffs.

The Jets used Perreault on the power play, and Dominique Ducharme will likely use him as a net-front presence when the Habs have an extra attacker on the ice.

Eric Raymond Appointed Goalie Coach

The Canadiens announced on Friday that Eric Raymond was appointed goalie coach for the team. Raymond coached with the Rangers organization from 2016-17 through 2019-20 overseeing the club’s American Hockey League’s (AHL) goaltenders.

“I worked closely with Eric for many years. Along with being an excellent communicator, he has a modern approach and emphasizes modern techniques. He creates genuine chemistry with his goaltenders and has an excellent track record. Eric also has a lot of experience at all levels, most notably on the international scene. I’m excited about his addition to our group,” Ducharme said via statement.

Raymond and Ducharme worked together with the Montreal Junior and Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL, and at the World Junior Hockey Championship. The two individuals also played together in France, and in the ECHL.

“Things couldn’t have worked out better. [Ducharme]’s a very good coach and a very good person. We have a good relationship. It’s easy to work with him. We understand each other. That’s a plus. We have a special relationship,” Raymond said.

The new goalie coach hasn’t spoken with Carey Price, but he will reach out to him later in the summer. “We have two well-established goaltenders. My philosophy isn’t to reinvent them. I want to work with them and get to know them, I want to build a relationship based on trust, I want to keep things as simple and efficient as possible,” Raymond spoke about the duo.

Benoit Allaire, current Director of goaltending of the New York Rangers, has been Raymond’s mentor since the age of 15. Allaire coached Raymond and later hired him as coach in the Rangers organization.

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By Chris G., Senior Writer
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