Ilya Kovalchuk signs NHL contract!

The Montreal Canadiens weren't done making moves it seems... 

The team has just announced that it has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with free agent forward Ilya Kovalchuk. The deal will pay Kovalchuk $700,000 at the NHL level and $70,000 in the AHL.

This is a low risk contract for the Canadiens, who have lost several forwards to injuries in the past weeks. With Jonathan Drouin and Brendan Gallagher for the next couple of weeks, GM Marc Bergevin is giving his team a chance to remain in the playoff race. 

Kovalchuk last appearing in a game on Nov. 9 against the Canadiens, but he continued to skate and travel with the Kings before leaving the team back in December. 

The 36-year-old was reportedly willing to play on a minimum salary to join a Stanley Cup contender as it seems like the Habs had the best deal in place. 

Kovalchuk received the final signing bonus in his contract on Dec. 15 - for $2.65 million - and has only a salary of $700,000 remaining for this season. He will, however, continue to count against the Kings’ salary cap at a hit of $6.25 million through next season, after inking a three-year, $18.75 million contract with the Kings in 2018.

He collected just three goals and nine points in 17 games with the Kings this season. The veteran forward had 16 goals and 34 points in 64 games last season, his first since returning to the NHL after five years in the KHL. In a total of 897 career games, Kovalchuk has 436 goals and 859 points in the NHL.