MONTREAL, QC -- Canadien's GM Mike Cooley reached out to Andrei Vasilevskiy's agent on Monday offering the all-star goaltender a three year extension to remain in Montreal. A short time later, Cooley's phone began to ring. It was his star goaltender's agent with an answer. "After all that Vasy has done for us the past five seasons here in Montreal and making the playoffs four of the past five seasons, we knew it was a no brainer again to get him on a new contract. He has certainly earned every bit of it," stated GM Cooley.

 

The "Big Cat's" new contract will pay him $6.985 million per season over the next three years and has a no trade clause. The Habs have been approached multiple times in recent years with various offers for Vasilevskiy. "There have been quite a few offers for him (Vasilevskiy). We as an orgranization remain comitted to him and know that he will be a cornerstone for this team in the years to come," stated Cooley.

 

With Vasy inked to a new contract, a big piece to Montreal's puzzle is in place, but with the expansion draft and free agency right around the corner, the Habs know the off season for them is just beginning. Here's a look at the team's other players that are on expiring contracts:

 

C Ryan Getzlaf

LW/RW Evgenii Dadonov

D Matt Dumba

G Mike Smith

D Nik Hjalmarsson

LW/RW Marcus Foligno

RW Dale Weise

C/RW Derek Ryan

LW A.J. Greer

C Gerald Mayhew

D Logan Day

G Artyom Zagidulin

RW Mathieu Olivier

C Zach Magwood

LW/RW Charles Hudon

D Guillaume Brisebois

 

"Not everyone will be returning after the offseason. That's just the reality of it. Between the expansion draft, putting together a protection list and with free agency coming, guys will be leaving Montreal in the offseason. With as big of a roster turnover as we had after last season, not many expected us to be much of a playoff contender, let alone lead the Eastern Conference after an 82-game season and I think we fared very well. We fell short of the ultimate goal though. We will see what the future brings," remarked Cooley.

 

We will have to wait and see how things take shape this summer. With the expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken and free agency just around the corner, who knows what the future holds for the Habs and other teams around the Sim Net Hockey League. Only father time has that answer.