Montreal Canadiens Offer Contracts To Komisarek, Kovalev, RFAs

With the 2009 NHL Entry Draft behind him, Montreal Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey is on the free agent hunt now.

According to RDS, the Canadiens have made a contract offer to potential unrestricted free agent Alex Kovalev.

Late last week, the network also reported that Kovalev had met with the new team owners, the Molson brothers, Gainey, and new head coach Jacques Martin.

It is the second reported contract offer to a potential UFA.

Defenseman Mike Komisarek has reportedly been offered a four-year deal in the range of $20 million.

"We have offered a contract to Alex Kovalev Sunday and we can negotiate with him and Komisarek by Wednesday," said Gainey.

Gainey also stated that he did not have time to get a contract offers to forwards Saku Koivu and Alex Tanguay, but will have discussions with them after July 1.

The Canadiens have also extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Christopher Higgins, Tomas Plekanec, Guillaume Latendresse, Matt D’Agostini, Gregory Stewart and Kyle Chipchura.

In other Habs news:

Guy Boucher has been named the new head coach of the teams AHL affiliate Hamilton  Bulldogs.

Canadiens great Jean Beliveau has been named the Honorary Captain of Team Canada's 2010 Olympic Hockey Team, one of several awards and honors the Hall of Famer has received in his post-hockey career.