The Canadiens players were back in training after taking advantage of a few vacation days and the All-Star Game break. For this return to work, there was a new face in the team's locker room.

This morning, the Habs announced that they had offered Brandon Gignac a two-season (two-part) contract. As a result of this agreement, the 26-year-old Repenignois was automatically recalled from the major club. Beyond this simple formality, the Rocket's top scorer should remain with the Habs for some time.

You only had to listen to Martin St-Louis talk about him at the end of training to be convinced.

“His willingness to fight and his skating are at the National League level. “It’s fascinating to see what kind of career a player with fighting spirit can have,” said the Canadian head coach.

“We want to build a culture, and that requires examples like these. I wouldn't be surprised if the boys accepted that. We saw it with Belzile and Harvey-Pinard. These are examples that help us,” he added.

St-Louis took the opportunity to point out that he liked what he had seen from him in the last two training camps.

“In the NHL, nothing is given for free. Everything is earned. “He’s a player who doesn’t give up,” praised St-Louis.

A childhood dream

Indeed, Gignac is not the type to give up. He returns to a Bettman Circuit team for the first time since the game he played with the Devils, his only one in the NHL, on March 9, 2019.

A five-year wait during which he even played 35 games for the Jacksonville Icemen in the ECHL.

“I always believed in myself, but I don't want to hide the fact that when I went to the East Coast it was difficult for morale. But I didn’t let myself get discouraged and I’m very happy today,” explained the main person concerned.

He has reason to be satisfied with the reward he receives. The third round pick (80th^e (overall) of the Devils in 2016 will have the opportunity to wear the jersey of the team he loved growing up.

“Surely everything was spinning in my head [quand il a appris la nouvelle]. I didn't want to think about it too much, but it's difficult. Wanting, not wanting, that's what we've dreamed of since we were little,” Gignac said, admitting he had trouble falling asleep Saturday night.

“A complete player”

The 26-year-old Gignac is known for his certain offensive talent. His 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) in 43 games in his third season in a Rocket jersey clearly prove this. However, the midfielder believes it was the improvement in his defensive play that enabled him to land this deal.

“I used to concentrate a lot on the attack. Then I realized that if I wanted to have a chance in the NHL one day, I needed to refine my defensive game.

Rafaël Harvey-Pinard had the opportunity to work with Gignac for just over a season and a half before being recalled by the Canadian in January 2023. He can describe it well.

“He is a complete player. Anthony Richard and him are probably the two fastest skaters I've played with. In addition, he is a player who is persistent. He always gives 100%. I never saw him dragging his boots,” said the proud Arvida.

We may see him in Washington on Tuesday against the Capitals. Unless St-Louis announces the return of Alex Newhook.