HabsWorld.net -- 

In light of a difficult start to the pre-season and the continued doubt surrounding Andrei Markov’s health, the Montreal Canadiens added some insurance by signing defencemen Chris Campoli to a one-year, $1.75 million contract.

The blueliner entered the summer as a restricted free agent and had an arbitration hearing scheduled for August 3rd. However, the Blackhawks, who traded for Campoli at the end of February, were not prepared to match the eventual award and, as a result, the hearing was moved up and the two parties agreed to a $2.5 million settlement. The Blackhawks walked away from the decision, allowing Campoli to become an unrestricted free agent.

Last season, the North York native split the campaign between Ottawa and Chicago, recording 21 points in 77 games, plus 1 assist in 7 playoff contests. In 397 career NHL contests, Campoli has 33 goals and 102 assists.

In other news, ten players have been cut from the Canadiens training camp. Olivier Archambault, Nathan Beaulieu and Morgan Ellis will join their junior teams. Meanwhile Alexander Avtsin, Andrew Conboy Dany Massé, Mark Mitera, Joe Stejskal, Robert Mayer and Peter Delmas are destined for Hamilton. Finally, reports also seem to indicate that Brock Trotter’s name has been put on waivers

Louis Moustakas is an editor at HabsWorld.net and works for the Coaching Association of Canada in Ottawa. He can be reached at [email protected].