"The Canadiens' defence appears to be shaping up for next season with a report that Hal Gill is close to signing a one-year contract.
Renaud Lavoie of RDS is reporting that the 36-year-old Gill will pass up the opportunity to test free agency and will sign for $2.25 million, the same amount he has received in each of the past two seasons.
The Canadiens are expected to retain unrestricted free agent Andrei Markov and restricted free agent Josh Gorges, and they will form the No. 1 pair, while Gill will continue to serve as a mentor and steadying influence on P.K. Subban."
