Former Canadien Alex Galchenyuk signs with Senators

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price and Arizona Coyotes' Alex Galchenyuk wait for an incoming shot during first period at the Bell Centre in Montreal, on Jan. 23, 2019.

Alex Galchenyuk will have to tighten his belt this winter.

After more than two weeks on the NHL free-agency market, the No. 3 overall draft pick of the Canadiens in 2012 agreed to a one-year deal with the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. The deal is worth US$1.05 million but, with players facing major escrow rollbacks because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he’ll be earning a lot less.

Galchenyuk, 26, who has played for three teams since the Canadiens traded him to the Arizona Coyotes for Max Domi in 2018, had a cap hit of US$4.9 million last season when he collected eight goals and 24 points in 59 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild.

Galchenyuk had 19 goals and 41 points in 72 games with Arizona in 2018-19 and collected 19 goals and 51 points in 82 games in 2017-18, his final season in Montreal. His best season came in 2015-16 with the Canadiens when he had 30 goals and 56 points in 82 games.

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