Canadiens sign forward Brandon Gignac to two-year contract

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Brandon Gignac to a two-year contract, the team announced on Sunday. The deal will cover the remainder of the current season as well as the 2024-2025 campaign. Gignac, who has been playing for the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the past three seasons, will now be eligible for a call-up to the NHL.

Gignac, a 26-year-old native of Repentigny, has been a standout player for the Rocket, leading the team in scoring with 42 points in 43 games (14 goals, 28 assists). Known for his speed and explosiveness, Gignac has been on a hot streak recently, tallying seven points in his last four outings.

With the departure of Sean Monahan in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets, the Canadiens find themselves with a void at the center position. Currently, Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans are the only healthy centers on the roster, with Alex Newhook nearing a return from injury. This presents an opportunity for Gignac to once again make his mark in the NHL, as he has only previously played one game at the highest level, back in the 2018-2019 season with the New Jersey Devils.

In addition to the signing of Gignac, the Canadiens also announced the recall of forward Lucas Condotta, who had appeared in the team’s last two games prior to the break.

The Canadiens will resume practice on Sunday afternoon in preparation for their upcoming game against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.