Music: {allcanada} Gorges not expecting to return to Canadiens

Monday, June 30, 2014

{allcanada} Gorges not expecting to return to Canadiens

Platinum - Miranda Lambert / First Love - Jennifer Lopez

Defenseman Josh Gorges told reporters Monday he does not expect to return to the Montreal Canadiens for the 2014-15 season, with a trade the most likely outcome.

"It's out of my hands whether I'll be back or not," Gorges told La Presse. "But it's my understanding it's not going to be the case."

He also told the Montreal Gazette, "I want people to know that I never wanted to leave Montreal. In no way has this been my decision."

Gorges has four seasons left on his contract, which has an average annual value of $3.9 million.

The Montreal Gazette reported the Canadiens had a trade worked out that would have sent Gorges to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the Leafs are one of the teams Gorges listed in his contract that he could not be traded to without his permission.

Gorges had 14 points, a plus-6 rating and 12 penalty minutes in 66 regular-season games in 2013-14 and two assists in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He averaged 21:14 in ice time per game during the regular season, but that number rose to 23:26 per game during the playoffs. He's also been first or second on the team in shorthanded ice time for five straight seasons.

The 29-year-old has spent the past eight seasons with the Canadiens; he was acquired from the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 25, 2007 along with the Sharks' 2007 first-round draft pick, which the Canadiens used to select forward Max Pacioretty, in exchange for defenseman Craig Rivet.

In 464 games with the Canadiens he has 13 goals, 88 points and a plus-34 rating.

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