Canadiens sign Chiarot to 3-year contract with $3.5M AAV

The Montreal Canadiens signed free-agent defenseman Ben Chiarot to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $3.5 million, the team announced Thursday.

Chiarot, who spent the past six seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, should strengthen the left side of a Habs blue line that needed reinforcement this summer.

"We are very happy to have come to an agreement with Ben Chiarot today," general manager Marc Bergevin said. "He is a very reliable defenseman and a solid player who will fill a need for our club. He is the type of player who can play some big minutes and be used in different situations. We are convinced he will improve our defensive group."

Chiarot put up 20 points and averaged 18:37 of ice time across 78 games in 2018-19.