The free agent frenzy slowed down a touch on day two of the NHL’s open market, but another Jets player found a new landing spot, while a Manitoban found himself involved in a trade.
The Montreal Canadiens announced they’ve signed forward Mathieu Perreault to a one-year contract as the 33-year-old will now play for his hometown Habs.
Perreault will earn $950,000 with his new contract, a sharp pay cut from the $4 million he earned last season in the final year of a four-year contract signed with the Jets.
A fan favourite, Perreault played the last seven seasons in Winnipeg. He registered nine goals and 10 assists in 56 games last season.
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The 33 year old native of Drummondville, Quebec said during a zoom call media chat on Friday morning that Jets Head Coach Paul Maurice had indicated during their end of season exit meeting back in early June that he wanted Perreault to return for an eighth campaign – but obviously at a reduced salary from the 4.125 million he had been making on his previous four year deal.
“I told him I was going to go and see what else is out there for me because the way the last couple of years went, it wasn’t the best case scenario for me minute-wise and stuff like that,” said Perreault. “They were kinda ready to move on as well and give some other guys a chance to play in that role. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about Paul and Chevy and Winnipeg for all they’ve done for me. They basically made my career – all the good money I’ve made in this league comes from them, giving the trust in me. I can never be thankful enough for what Paul and Chevy and Mark Chipman’s done for me.”
Perreault is the sixth Jets’ player to sign a new contract with another team since free agency opened on Wednesday.
The Vegas Golden Knights traded Winnipeg’s Ryan Reaves to the New York Rangers Thursday night.
Reaves was sent to the big apple for the price of just a third round draft pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Reaves spent four seasons in Vegas. The Rangers are his fourth NHL team, also playing the St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The former member of the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings scored just one goal with four assists in 37 regular season games last year.
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