Canadiens Re-Sign Forward Latendresse & Defenseman Belle

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they have re-signed left wing Guillaume Latendresse to a one-year contract worth $803,000 and defenseman Shawn Belle to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of Belle’s deal were not disclosed. In 56 games last season for the Canadiens, Latendresse scored 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points. In 209 career games, all with the Canadiens, he has 46 goals and 36 assists for 82 points. Belle did not appear in any NHL games last season, instead playing in 60 games with the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Hamilton, scoring three goals and 10 assists for 13 points and 93 penalty minutes. The Latendresse signing is a decent one for the team, as he possesses plenty of offensive skill, especially on the power play, and is a decent passer. As a top-nine forward for the Canadiens next season, Latendresse will be an effective player. The Belle signing is really nothing more than a depth move, though he does provide plenty of toughness on defense. The Canadiens already have sufficient depth on their defense for next season, so Belle will likely spend another season in the minors.