Deslauriers: No place like home

PHILADELPHIA -- There's no place like home for Nicolas Deslauriers.

The Quebec-born forward agreed to a new two-year contract extension with the Canadiens on Monday, keeping him in La Belle Province until 2020 -- and the decision was a no-brainer for the 26-year-old.
"It's what we wanted. My family and I wanted to stay in Montreal, so we're happy that the deal is done," underlined Deslauriers, who ruled out entertaining offers from other clubs while evaluating his options with the Habs. "Everyone wants more money, but I was looking for security. I have a family and kids, and I love Montreal. It's the place where I want to play, and I haven't been shy about saying so. I love this place, and we're happy to be staying."

Indeed, Deslauriers hasn't been shy about his intentions with the organization since being picked up from Buffalo in exchange for Zach Redmond on Oct. 4.
The fifth-year NHLer started the season with the AHL's Laval Rocket, but quickly earned himself a call-up on Nov. 15 thanks to his strong play, and has stuck around ever since.
"I was clear when I first arrived, that I would work hard in Laval to eventually wear the Canadiens jersey for as long as possible," recalled Deslauriers, who had five points and a plus-six differential in 14 games in Laval. "Two more years is a lot of fun."
But while the six-foot-one, 215-pounder took charge of his own hockey destiny after first landing in Montreal, when it came to extending his stay, he let someone else handle the paperwork.
"It wasn't me personally, it was my agent. I don't know how often [he and general manager Marc Bergevin] went back and forth," precised Deslauriers, while addressing the media from the team's hotel in Philadelphia on Monday afternoon. "My agent and I kept our communication to the strict minimum -- he knows I like to concentrate on hockey. Today though, he called me after practice to say that we had a good offer on the table, and the deal was done 30 seconds later."

In his 36 games with the Canadiens, the gritty forward has racked up a career-high seven goals, in addition to picking up three assists and dishing out 160 hits.
Still, it's been tough for Deslauriers to fully appreciate his personal success under the bigger picture of his team's on-ice struggles.
"I've been in this situation before with Buffalo. It's not fun for the players or the organization, but we're expecting better next year," acknowledged the former Los Angeles draft pick from 2009. "I'm happy to finish the year here, but the next two years are going to be a lot better than this one."
Luckily when it comes to making promises in Montreal, Deslauriers has thus far been a man of his word.
"It's special to play here, especially as a Quebecer. I'm proud to wear this jersey," concluded Deslauriers. "I was proud to play in Laval, just to be part of the organization, but that wasn't where I wanted to be. I want to play for the Canadiens, and I want to stay here as long as possible. I've given it my all so far, and have even more to give moving forward. I'm happy to have another two years to show that I love this city, that we have the best fans, and that it's an organization that deserves success."