Montreal Canadiens Sign Defenseman Reilly Walsh to Boost Roster Depth
The Montreal Canadiens have recently signed 27-year-old defenseman Reilly Walsh to a one-year, two-way contract. Walsh, a right-shot defenseman, adds to the Canadiens' roster depth at that position, joining other recent additions like Ethan Samson, Timofei Runtso, and Cooper Cleaves. His signing provides Montreal with an option as a seventh defenseman and could prevent the team from having to recall prospects like David Reinbacher or Bryce Pickford during the season.
Walsh spent the previous season playing in the KHL with Barys Astana but decided to terminate his contract to sign with the Canadiens. While he only has one NHL game under his belt from the 2021-22 season with the New Jersey Devils, Walsh has primarily played in the AHL, most recently with the Ontario Reign two seasons ago. In his last season in the KHL, Walsh recorded 46 points, including 16 goals, which tied for the team lead in Astana. However, he also had a team-worst -24 goal differential and has struggled with a negative plus-minus rating in recent seasons.
Known for his offensive capabilities, Walsh is expected to contribute in offensive-zone shifts and power-play situations for the Canadiens. His signing adds another dimension to Montreal's defensive lineup and provides valuable experience to the team.