Alexei Emelin agrees to 4-year contract extension with Canadiens

Alexei Emelin hasn't played a game this year but has agreed to a new four-year contract.

By Matt Brigidi Oct 31, 2013, 12:18pm EDT

While he's yet to dress in a game this season, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin has 16.4 million reasons to celebrate.

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The Canadiens have come to terms on a four-year contract extension with the 27-year-old defenseman, according to media reports on Thursday afternoon. Emelin will receive $16.4 million over the course of the agreement, which will amount to a $4.1 million annual average value against the salary cap. Emelin is entering the final year of a two-year, $4 million contract and was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Unfortunately, he hasn't dressed since tearing a ligament in his left knee while attempting to check Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic last April. The injury required reconstructive surgery that is projected to keep him out of action until November.

In 38 games last season, he accumulated three goals and nine assists for 12 points with an average ice-time of 19:40, which included an average of 2:11 on the penalty kill.