Dandenault Signs with Montreal

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Wednesday that they had signed Mathieu Dandenault, the free agent defenseman from the Detroit Red Wings. The four-year deal was reportedly worth $7 million.

Dandenault had spent his entire 9-year NHL career with Detroit, where he broke into the league as a forward in 1995-96. He returns to the area where he grew up, having played for his hometown of Sherbrooke in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

In 616 NHL games, Dandenault has 48 goals and 101 assists for 149 points. His plus/minus rating is +46, one of the better ratings among Red Wings defensemen in recent years.

The Canadiens hope Dandenault can fill the hole left by the departing Patrice Brisebois, who – conincidentally – has been rumored to be a target of Detroit general manager Ken Holland in previous years.