The Canadiens have agreed to terms with another one of their pending restricted free agents, announcing the re-signing of defenseman Victor Mete to a one-year contract. The deal will pay him $735K, meaning that he accepted his qualifying offer.
The 22-year-old was a fourth-round pick of Montreal back in 2016 (100th overall) but made the NHL roster just one year later. He has played in 171 career regular season contests during that span which makes a deal at this price tag seem a little low. However, his role with the Canadiens decreased as this past season went on and when the playoffs arrived, he averaged just 12:30 per night. It’s possible that his spot in the lineup is further diminished for 2020-21 with the acquisition and signing of Joel Edmundson and the arrival of prospect Alexander Romanov who is expected to contend for a roster spot right away.
With the move, the Canadiens have roughly $4.5MM in cap room to work with this offseason with a couple of spots to fill up front. Meanwhile, the one-year term will give Mete arbitration eligibility next offseason and potentially a shot at a bigger pay day then.