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Lars Eller inks a two-year contract extension

Lars Eller

Montreal Canadiens’ Lars Eller tosses pucks into the crowd as he is presented as the first star of the game against the Winnipeg Jets during an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, in Montreal. Eller scored four goals to help his team beat the Jets 7-3. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

AP

Sportsnet is reporting that the Montreal Canadiens have signed restricted free agent Lars Eller to a two-year contract extension.

Eller was taken by the St. Louis Blues with the 13th overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, but shipped off to Montreal along with Ian Schultz in exchange for Jaroslav Halak.

The Halak deal was very controversial at the time and while it looks like St. Louis has gotten the better end of the deal so far, it certainly helps matters for the Canadiens that Carey Price has stepped up since Halak’s departure.

Eller built off his rookie season by scoring 16 goals and 28 points in 79 games in 2011-12. He also ranked second on the Canadiens with 66 penalty minutes.

He’s projected to start the 2012-13 campaign as the Canadiens’ third-line center, but he might eventually develop into a bit more of an offensive threat.