Marc Bergevin added to Montreal’s defensive depth on Tuesday, signing veteran Mark Streit to a one-year, one-way contract worth $700,000. The deal also contains potential performance bonuses of $300,000. Streit, who started his career with the Canadiens in 2005, most recently played for the Stanley Cup Champions, Pittsburgh Penguins.
At one time an elite point-producing defenceman, Streit’s game has deteriorated over the years, but he still possesses the ability to contribute on the powerplay and play carefully-managed minutes. Of his 27 points last season (68 GP), 13 came with the man-advantage.
In his 12-year NHL career, the 39-year-old has played in 784 games, recording 96 goals and 338 assists.
With this signing, the Canadiens potentially have 9 NHL-calibre defencemen on the roster and that still doesn’t include Andrei Markov, whose future with the team is even more in question now. Although it’s doubtful that Streit will start the season in the minors, his cap hit will come off the books if he’s sent to play in Laval.