HabsWorld.net -- 

On Monday afternoon, the Habs announced the signing of their second player
from last month’s draft as Swiss-born winger Sven Andrighetto has signed his
three year entry level contract.  As per club policy, financial terms of
the contract were not disclosed.  The Canadiens also issued a press release
that UFA forward Blake Geoffrion has officially announced his retirement.

Andrighetto was selected by Montreal in the 3rd round (86th overall) in
June’s draft in his third year of draft eligibility.  The 5’9 winger
finished sixth in QMJHL scoring (fourth in terms of points-per-game) as he
scored 31 goals and added 67 assists in just 53 regular season games with
Rouyn-Noranda.  His assist total ranked him second behind Ben Duffy, who
he’ll have a chance to play with in Hamilton as Duffy inked a minor league deal
with the Bulldogs last week.  Andrighetto picked up the pace in the
playoffs, collecting an astonishing 30 points in just 14 contests, good for
fourth in the league (behind three players from league champion Halifax).

Given the offensive woes in Hamilton, the speedy 20 year old winger should be
given a chance to play on the top three lines fairly quickly.  Had
Andrighetto not signed, he would not have returned to Rouyn-Noranda for his
overage year as he had signed a three year deal with Geneve-Servette of the NLA;
he used the NHL out clause in his deal to sign with Montreal.

This deal gives the Habs 47 signed contracts out of the limit of 50 with RFA
Dustin Tokarski still to sign.  However, with four of those being junior
aged still, the club will inevitably have 44/50 committed contracts.

Geoffrion was acquired by the Canadiens prior to the trade deadline in 2012
in exchange for Hal Gill.  He spent a good portion of the rest of that year
with Montreal, collecting a pair of goals in 13 contests while adding 12 points
in just nine games with Hamilton.  He had been converted to centre prior to
the start of this past season but saw his season (and career) end prematurely on
a hit from former Montreal prospect J-P Cote in November.  Geoffrion did
not rule out a return to the game down the road, however.  Here is his
statement:

“After suffering an injury in November and taking time to recover and
reflect, I have decided to step away from the game of hockey for the time being. 
I would like to thank Geoff Molson, Marc Bergevin, the entire Montreal Canadiens
organization as well as the Hamilton Bulldogs organization for everything they
have done for me.  They have been unwavering in their support,
professionalism and kindness.  I cannot thank them enough.” 

Andrighetto’s Stats

Andrighetto’s QMJHL highlights