Montreal Canadiens Sign Two Restricted Free Agents

The Montreal Canadiens have announced they have come to terms with two of the three remaining restricted free agents in the organization.

Defenceman Nicolas Beaudin, who was acquired in exchange for ECHL forward Cam Hillis, and forward Lucas Condotta, who signed a contract with the Canadiens in 2022-23, have signed new deals with the team.

Beaudin signed a one-year contract extension, whereas Condotta signed a two-year extension. Both deals are two-way contracts.

With both contracts in the books, Jesse Ylonen is the lone Montreal Canadiens player remaining in the organization that needs to have his contract situation resolved.

The Canadiens have agreed to terms on two-way contracts for defenseman Nicolas Beaudin and forward Lucas Condotta.#GoHabsGo

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 13, 2023

Beaudin, 23, scored two goals and 23 assists in 39 games for the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate last season, the Laval Rocket. He emerged as an important player on the blue line, playing heavy minutes for head coach Jean-Francois Houle.

Condotta, 25, scored 16 goals and 15 assists in 72 games, though it’s also worth pointing out that the was given an opportunity to make his NHL debut late in the season. Condotta rose to the occasion, scoring a goal on April 13 versus the Boston Bruins.

The two are destined to play the majority of the 2023-24 season in the AHL, where the Rocket will enjoy a revamped lineup both when it comes to their forwards and their defensive group.

Players like Lias Andersson, Joshua Roy, Riley Kidney, and Jared Davidson will help offset the loss of the team’s captain, Alex Belzile, as well as the team’s best goal-scorer, Anthony Richard. Belzile recently signed a two-year contract with the New York Rangers, whereas Richard signed a one-year deal with the Boston Bruins.

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Beaudin, on the other hand, will be one of a few defencemen returning to the team. The defensive group is expected to receive some reinforcements in the former of Logan Mailloux and Miguel Tourigny, and there’s a chance, albeit a small one, that the 5th overall pick at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, David Reinbacher, could join the fold.

But for the most part, the team will be counting on returning players such as Beaudin, Jayden Struble, and William Trudeau.