Today it was announced that the Montreal Canadiens reached an agreement with free agent forward Niklas Sundstrom. The deal is reportedly worth 2.5 million dollars over 2 seasons, with additional money available based on performance-based incentives. The deal lowers his salary from the 1.9 million he earned for the 2003-2004 season.
Last season, Sundstrom played in 66 games, netting 8 goals and adding 12 assists. When in the lineup, he spent most of his time on the lower lines, while adding time on the penalty kill. He missed the last part of the regular and much of the playoffs after a concusion early in March.
Sundstrom is known as a defensive forward, and will give the Habs more options on the 3rd and 4th lines. It is likely that he will spend most his time on these lines, as well as being an important part of the penalty kill. But if a prospect out performs Niklas in camp, the lower salary will allow the Habs to put him in the pressbox without having to bench a 2 million dollar player. It appears to be a good move for a team that has dumping a good deal of dead weight this offseason.