HabsWorld.net -- 

The Habs have added some extra depth on the back end.  The team announced Wednesday that they’ve signed blueliner Reilly Walsh to a one-year, two-way contract.  The deal pays $850,000 in the NHL, $375,000 in the AHL, and has a guaranteed salary of $450,000 per PuckPedia.

The 27-year-old has been a quality offensive producer in the lower levels but it hasn’t materialized in much of the way of an NHL opportunity.  Walsh, a right-shot rearguard, has just one career NHL game under his belt, that coming back in 2022 where he had an assist in a little over 14 minutes of playing time.

Over his six-year professional career, Walsh has primarily played at the AHL level.  Over five seasons in the systems of the Devils, Bruins, and Kings, he has 38 goals and 121 assists in 304 regular season games, plus nine points in 13 playoff contests.

Walsh decided to try something different last year, signing a two-year deal with Barys Astana in the KHL.  He went on to tie for the team lead in scoring with 16 goals and 30 assists in 68 games.  His 46 points ranked fourth among all KHL defenders.  Walsh elected to terminate the final season of his contract on Monday, paving the way for him to return to North America and sign with Montreal.

Walsh, who is waiver-eligible, is likely ticketed to play with Laval next season.  The Rocket aren’t exactly deep on the right side of their back end, with David Reinbacher, Ethan Samson, and rookie Bryce Pickford are the only NHL-contracted right-shot blueliners.  However, Pickford’s shoulder surgery will keep him out for a while, likely causing him to miss the start of the season.  That should open up a spot for Walsh to step in and play a big role offensively for Laval in the fall.