The Montreal Canadiens continued to re-vamp their roster on Wednesday by signing defensemen Jaroslav Spacek and Hal Gill. Spacek signed a three-year contract worth $11.5 million, which averages out to $3.83 million per season, while Gill signed a two-year contract worth $4.5 million, which averages out to $2.25 million per season. Last season with the Buffalo Sabres, Spacek appeared in 80 games, scoring eight goals and 37 assists for 45 points. In 62 games last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Gill scored two goals and eight assists for 10 points. He helped the Penguins capture their third Stanley Cup nearly a month ago.
These are okay signings for the Canadiens, as they definitely needed to add some veteran depth to their defense. Spacek is just coming off a career season in points and his offensive skills will be welcome on the blueline. However, Spacek is going to be under a lot of pressure to repeat the success he had in Buffalo last season and that pressure could hamper his performance. Gill gives the Canadiens a big, physical defenseman, but he is very slow and not very mobile. Gill will be Komisarek’s replacement on the blueline after the Canadiens let the latter depart via free agency, but Komisarek is an overall better defenseman. I don’t think Gill is going to be able to fill Komisaerk’s shoes completely. The other downside to these signings is that both players are paid a little too much money. If they can’t live up to expectation in Montreal, there’s no way any teams are going to want to take on those salaries.
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