Defenceman Barberio agrees to two-year, one-way contract with Canadiens

MONTREAL - Defenceman Mark Barberio has agreed to a two-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, the NHL club announced Monday.

It is a one-way contract, reportedly worth US$1.5 million, so he will get the same salary in the NHL or if he is demoted to the St. John's IceCaps. The deal suggests the Canadiens intend to keep him in Montreal. Barberio signed a two-way deal with the Canadiens as an unrestricted free agent last summer.

After starting the season in the AHL, the left-shooting Montreal native had two goals and eight assists in 30 NHL games for the Canadiens before his campaign ended March 19 with a concussion.