Montreal Canadiens re-sign forward Alexei Kovalev and add Detroit's Dandenault

August 3, 2005
MONTREAL (AP) -- Alexei Kovalev and former Detroit forward-defenseman Mathieu Dandenault each signed four-year contracts with the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.

Kovalev, acquired at the 2004 trade deadline from the New York Rangers, decided to stay with the Canadiens after spurning other offers -- including one to return to Pittsburgh where he enjoyed his best seasons.

The right winger will earn $4.5 million per year. Dandenault will receive $1.7 million in 2005-06, $1.7 million in 2006-07, $1.75 million in 2007-08 and $1.75 million in 2008-09.

Kovalev, one of the top forwards available on the unrestricted free agent market, had 10 points in 11 playoff games with Montreal in 2004. He scored a career-high 44 goals during the 2000-01 season with Pittsburgh

Dandenault had spent his entire NHL with the Red Wings, winning three Stanley Cup titles in nine years in Detroit.