As NHL teams unleashed a flurry of signings on the first day of free-agency, the Montreal Canadiens signed Russian forward Alexander Radulov to a one-year contract.

The former Nashville Predators first-round pick has played the last four years for CSKA Moscow in the KHL. Last season, he scored 23 goals and 42 assists in 53 games.

Radulov last played in the NHL in 2011-12, posting three goals and four assists in nine games for the Predators.

It was the second go-around in the NHL for the skilled forward, who turns 30 on July 5. He first skated for Nashville in 2006-07, scoring 37 points in a 64-game rookie campaign. In his sophomore year, he added another 58 points, including 26 goals, in 81 games.

However, after that season, Radulov signed a contract with UFA Salavat Yulayev in the KHL, despite having one more year on his NHL deal.

Radulov’s return to the NHL proved just as tumultuous. He was suspended by the team during the Predator’s second-round playoff series after being caught in a bar after curfew the night before game 3 and did not have his contract renewed.

"I've met with Alex face to face," said Habs General Manager Marc Bergevin. "We've done our work, everything checked out good. The rest is going to be up to him. I believe he has matured, but time will tell."

The Habs also announced the signing of veteran goalie Al Montoya to a one-year contract. Montoya spent the last two seasons playing for the Florida Panthers. Last season, he posted a 12-7-3 record with a 2.18 GAA and .919 save percentage in 25 games.

 

 

The club agreed to a two-year deal with defenceman Zach Redmond. The 27-year-old played 37 games for the Colorado Avalanche last season, posting two goals and four assists and a +5 plus/minus.