MONTREAL (AP) -Forward Georges Laraque signed a three-year, $4.5-million contract with the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.
The 31-year-old Laraque spent last season with the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 6-foot-3, 243-pound Laraque had four goals and nine assists and 141 penalty minutes in 71 games last season. He added one goal, two assists and four penalty minutes in 15 playoff games for the Penguins, who lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals last month.
``A 10-year veteran, Georges is the kind of player who made his mark in the NHL,'' Canadiens GM Bob Gainey said in a statement. ``With his physical play and determination, we are convinced that he will add valuable energy to our group of players.''
The Canadiens also signed goalie Marc Denis. Denis, bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning last month, signed a one-year deal. He begins the season as the No. 3 goalie behind Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak and will likely begin the season in Hamilton of the American Hockey League.
The 30-year-old Denis is 112-179-28 for his NHL career with a 3.02 goals against average and .902 save percentage.
