The Montreal Canadiens probably had the most interesting July 1st, but not because of who they signed. They only signed depth guys, but they also tendered an offer sheet to the Carolina Hurricane’s Sebastian Aho. I remain it was a very stupid thing for them to do because they lowballed him money-wise considering what he was reportedly after, but I’m not gonna get into that again now. If you want to know more about what I think, I did a separate post on the offer sheet, which you can find under Carolina’s page on the blog! Anyways, here’s a recap of the actual signings they made and a short write-up on each player.
- Keith Kinkaid, G. Kinkaid was signed to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. In 41 games played for the New Jersey Devils last season, he had a 3.36 GAA and 0.891 SV%. He was then traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the deadline for their 2022 fifth-round pick, but he did not appear in any games for them. Signed by the Devils as an undrafted free agent before the 2012-13 season, Kinkaid owns a 2.90 GAA and 0.906 SV% in 151 career games. The 30-year-old netminder is leaving the only organization he has known over his six-year NHL career in the Devils.
- Riley Barber, F. Barber was signed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000 at the NHL level. He did not appear in any NHL games last season, but in 64 games with the Washington Capitals’ AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, he produced 31 goals and 29 assists. He then added three goals and three assists in nine playoff games for them. Drafted in the sixth round (167th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Capitals, Barber has appeared in just three NHL games, all in the 2016-17 season, and he did not record any points in those games. However, he has been productive in the AHL, with 90 goals and 90 assists in 237 career games. The 25-year-old right wing is leaving the only organization he has known over his professional career in the Capitals.
- Phil Varone, F. Varone was signed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $700,000 at the NHL level. In 47 games played for the Philadelphia Flyers last season, he tallied three goals and four assists. In 22 games with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, he produced 11 goals and 17 assists. Drafted in the fifth round (146th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks, Varone has appeared in 97 career NHL games, recording eight goals and nine assists. The 28-year-old center is on his fourth team in five seasons.
- Ben Chiarot, D. Chiarot was signed to a three-year contract worth $10.5 million ($3.5 million AAV) on July 4th. In 78 games played for the Winnipeg Jets last season, he recorded five goals and 15 assists. He also played in six playoff games for the team but he did not have any points in them. Draft in the fourth round (119th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets), Chiarot has 12 goals and 52 assists in 305 career NHL games. The 28-year-old defenseman is leaving the only organization he has known over his six-year career in the Jets.
This post will be updated later with my thoughts on their day.
Hockey Addict 