Habs acquire Russell, sign Lahti

In a move that had been widely speculated this
week, the Canadiens officially signed 24 year old forward Janne Lahti to a
one-year contract.  In other news, the club acquired C Ryan Russell from
the New York Rangers in exchange for a 7th round draft pick, and signed him to a
3-year, entry level contract.  As per team policy, financial details were
not disclosed.

Lahti, never drafted, has spent the last 6 seasons playing with HPK Hameenlina
of the Finnish Elite League.  Last season, the 6’2, 200 lb forward led the
club with 20 goals in 54 games, to go along with 14 assists (20-14-34), with 87
PIMS (also club high), and a -3 rating.  In the playoffs, Lahti also led
the squad in scoring, with 8 goals and 1 assist (8-1-9) in 9 games.

Russell was the Rangers’ 9th round pick (211th overall) in the 2005 draft. 
The 5’11, 170 lb centre scored 30 goals along with 46 assists in just 58 games
with the Kootenay Ice (WHL) this past year, to go along with 9 points in 7
playoff contests (3-6-9).  He was a teammate of 2007 2nd round pick Ben
Maxwell, and is the twin brother of Canadian World Junior defenceman Kris
Russell. 

Elsewhere, Sportsnet is reporting that D Sheldon Souray has rejected the team’s
offer made earlier today, and is now expected to test the free agent market. 
However, his agent Paul Theofanous denies that statement, noting
"It’s May, late May, but
it’s still early, and we’re just going to sit here and evaluate Sheldon’s
free-agent options over the next couple of weeks.".

Janne Lahti:

Ryan Russell: