Canadiens finalize contract terms with defenseman Alexander Romanov

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced on Monday that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Alexander Romanov on his entry-level contract.

The three-year agreement (2019-20 to 2021-22) will see Romanov earn $832,500 at the NHL level in each season, with signing and performance bonuses starting in the 2020-21 season. The average annual value of the contract is $1.17 million. He is set to make $70,000 per season at the AHL level.

Romanov will be eligible to join his new team to take part in the club's training camp for Phase 3 of the NHL's Return to Play Plan. He will have to undergo a quarantine of seven days before taking part in the camp. He will also be allowed to travel with the Canadiens to the Hub City of Toronto to practice with his teammates during Phase 4. However, Romanov will not be eligible to play in the qualifying round.

Romanov, 20, amassed seven assists and a +21 differential in 43 games with CSKA Moscow in the KHL. The Moscow native played 86 career games with CSKA since making his KHL debut in 2018-19. Romanov registered 11 points (1 goal, 10 assists) and 26 penalty minutes while displaying a +37 differential. He also appeared in eight career playoff contests, helping his team win the Gagarin Cup in 2018-19.

On the international stage, the 5'11'' and 185 lbs defenseman suited up for Russia at the 2018 U18 World Championship. Romanov also played at the World Junior Championship in 2019 (bronze medal) and 2020 (silver medal), and was named to the WJC All-Star Team on both occasions. In his first appearance at the WJC, Romanov was named the best defenseman of the tournament after leading all players in assists (7) and differential (+12), and leading all blueliners with 8 points (tied for third among players).

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Romanov was selected by the Canadiens in the second round, 38th overall, at the 2018 NHL Draft.