After a long two years marked by injury, Simon Despres is back in the NHL. Or at least he will have a chance to play again in the best league in the world.
The Montreal Canadiens announced on Thursday that they have invited the Penguins' former first-round pick to attend their training camp in September on a professional tryout offer (PTO).
Despres last played in the NHL in 2016-17 when he appeared in just one game for Anaheim. Prior to that, he appeared in just 49 games from 2014-2017 due to concussions. Last summer he was bought out by the Ducks, who had acquired him from the Penguins on March 2, 2015, in exchange for Ben Lovejoy.
The Laval, Quebec native was selected 30th overall in the 2009 Draft by the Penguins. He appeared in 144 games for Pittsburgh from 2011-15, recording five goals and 28 assists for 33 points, to go along with 120 penalty minutes.
Despres spent last season with Bratislava Slovan in the KHL, posting 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 44 games.