The Canadiens got their offseason started Tuesday by locking up their most important unrestricted free agent.
Defenseman Jeff Petry has signed a new contract that will keep him in Montreal for the next six seasons, the team announced.
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ESPN reported the deal is worth a total of $33 million for an average annual cap hit of $5.5 million. It also includes a partial no-trade clause.
Petry, 27, was acquired from the Oilers at the trade deadline for second- and fourth-round picks in this month's NHL Draft. He had three goals and nine points in 19 regular-season games with the Habs and added two goals and an assist in the playoffs.
Between Montreal and Edmonton, Petry finished the 2014-15 regular season with seven goals, 15 assists and a minus-28 rating in 78 games.
He was set to become a free agent next month.