Montreal Canadiens
Jeff Petry Signs Long-Term Extension With Canadiens
Jeff Petry has signed a long-term deal with the Montreal Canadiens and will stay for the next four seasons at $6.25 million per season.
According to reports on Friday, defenseman Jeff Petry has signed a long-term deal with the Montreal Canadiens. The blueliner will stay with the Habs for the next four seasons at a price tag of $6.25 million per season. Not bad money in a market where GMs are apparently looking to save some dough on their respective salary caps.
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The immediate reaction by a lot of fans is mixed. Petry is undoubtedly a steady defenseman but this now ranks him in the Top 20 for highest-paid blueliners in the NHL. Heading into a season where it is believed players were going to have to take discounts on their services because of a flat salary cap, this deal could have wide-reaching ramifications for other d-men looking to make good coin and feeling like they’re in a better position to demand it.
Others are suggesting Petry is the steadiest defenseman on the Canadiens roster — even more so than Shea Weber — and as such he could have gotten more on the open market as an unrestricted free agent. His 128 points over the last three seasons put him in the Top 20 for NHL defenders, he’s 6’3, plays 23 minutes a night, and puts up 40+ points a season. He plays both on the power play and the penalty kill. He could be worth every penny of this deal.
As per Eric Engels of Sportsnet, “Petry says the performance of Nick Suzuki and Jesperi Kotkaniemi in the playoffs was a big factor in his decision to sign.” He adds, that he likes the new direction of the team and felt he would be comfortable long-term.
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Petry’s New Deal is a Big One
The new contract breaks down as follows:
- 2021-22: $5.0MM salary
- 2022-23: $3.0MM signing bonus + $4.5MM salary
- 2023-24: $3.0MM signing bonus + $4.5MM salary
- 2024-25: $2.0MM signing bonus + $3.0MM salary
The only real concern here might be Petry’s age. He’s now 32 and will be 33 when this contract kicks in. That will put him in his later thirties when it expires. So too, Petry’s new deal has trade protection. It includes a no-movement clause with a 15-team trade list to be submitted.
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