(Jul 4) MONTREAL (CP) - The Montreal Canadiens made what should be their only dip into the free agent market this summer when they signed right-winger Randy McKay on Thursday.

McKay, 35, a big, physical Montreal native who joins a team short on muscle up front, signed a two- year contract worth $2.125 million US per season. It's a slight cut from the $2.175 million he made last season. "We certainly like his character, determination, experience and leadership," said general manager Andre Savard, who joined McKay on a conference call with the media. "We have talent. We have a good team when we're healthy. But we needed a bit of size and we needed his character."

"The first time I put on that sweater, I'll have goosebumps," said McKay, who left the city at 17 to attend Michigan Tech before beginning his NHL career in 1988 with Detroit. He was traded to New Jersey in 1991.  TSN.ca