Pezzetta re-signs with Canadiens

Michael Pezzetta is staying in Montreal.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced Friday that the 25-year-old left-winger has agreed to terms on a two-year, one-way contract that has an annual salary-cap hit of US$812,500.

Pezzetta posted 7-8-15 totals in 63 games with the Canadiens this season, along with 77 penalty minutes and a minus-4 differential while averaging 9:19 of ice time per game. The 6-foot-1, 216pound Pezzetta also had nine fights, tying him for fifth in the NHL.

The Canadiens selected Pezzetta in the sixth round (160th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. In 114 career NHL games, Pezzetta has 12-14-26 totals and 158 penalty minutes.

This is a contract that works well for both sides. The Canadiens keep a rugged fourth-liner who is well-liked by his teammates and the coaching staff with a minimal salary-cap hit, while Pezzetta gets the security of a one-way contract on a two-year deal. Pezzetta is coming off a one-year, one-way contract that paid him US$750,000. (Postmedia)