Last July, Tom Gilbert signed a 2 year contract as a UFA with the Montreal Canadiens. He was leaving Florida after he had one of the best seasons with the Panthers, picking up 28 points in 73 games after establishing a regular position within the blue line.
This was the 1st time since the 2009-10 season with the Edmonton Oilers, where he had 31 points in 82 games, that Gilbert was looking productive. His final season in Edmonton was okay and his 2 seasons with the Minnesota Wild were mediocre at best so when the Habs picked him up during the 1st hour of the free agency for a contract worth $2.