by The Canadian Press , The Hamilton Spectator

The Russian winger ended up on the outside looking in after Habs' GM Bob Gainey remade his team's forward corps last week, but he didn't need long to find a new home.

"He's one of the high skilled guys in the NHL," said Senators' GM Bryan Murray. "He thinks we have a good club here and he thinks he can be a nice addition to it."

The Toronto Maple Leafs, another Northeast Division rival, continued their makeover under new GM Brian Burke by signing free agent defenceman Francois Beauchemin to a three-year deal and first-round pick Nazem Kadri, 18, to an entry-level contract.

The Vancouver Canucks, meanwhile, landed Andrew Raycroft to be their backup goalie and re-signed defenceman Shane O'Brien, the San Jose Sharks re-signed Ryan Clowe and the New York Rangers agreed to terms with Chris Higgins on a busy day of NHL manoeuvring.

Kovalev, a 16-year veteran, spent the past six seasons in Montreal. The Russian sniper had 26 goals and 65 points in 2008-09.

The signing of Beauchemin reunites the physical defenceman with Burke, who was his GM with the Anaheim Ducks. He feels his game is suited to what Burke is trying to establish in Toronto.

"I try to play an aggressive style of game. Solid in the D-zone, I try to contribute offensively when I can, I just try to be hard to play against."

The 29-year-old missed 62 games with a knee injury last season but returned to play in the final two regular season games and all 13 post-season games for Anaheim.

"Francois will be a welcome addition to our blue-line," said Burke. "He's a rock solid, steady defender that will add character to our team."

The Maple Leafs gave Kadri, the seventh overall pick in the June 26 draft, a three-year entry level deal.

The Leafs also re-signed forwards Ben Ondrus and Ryan Hamilton to one-year contracts and added free-agent forwards Jay Rosehill (two years), Tim Brent (one year) and Richard Greenop (three-year entry level contract).

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