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Montreal’s Eller signs in Finland

Lars Eller

Montreal Canadiens’ Lars Eller tosses pucks into the crowd as he is presented as the first star of the game against the Winnipeg Jets during an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012, in Montreal. Eller scored four goals to help his team beat the Jets 7-3. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

AP

The SM-liiga’s top team bolstered its roster on Monday as Jyvaskyla JYP agreed to terms with Montreal Canadiens foward Lars Eller on a lockout deal.

Eller, 23, tweeted Sunday night that he was “excited to go to Europe” and would unveil the team of his choosing today. Turns out JYP beat him to the punch by updating its website with the news.

St. Louis’ 13th overall pick at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Eller was a key part of the trade that saw Jaroslav Halak leave Montreal in 2010.

Eller debuted with the Habs that same year and, in 2011-12, posted career-highs across the board in games played (79), goals (16), assists (12) and points (28).

In January, Eller became the first Canadien in six years to score four goals in a game when he potted four in a 7-3 win over Winnipeg.

With Jyvaskyla, Eller will play alongside Boston Bruins forward Rich Peverley -- who signed a lockout deal back in September -- and a pair of ex-NHLers in Eric Perrin and Ramzi Abid.

Of note: Eller is the eighth Montreal player to land overseas during the work stoppage, joining Alexei Emelin (KHL), Andrei Markov (KHL), Max Pacioretty (Switzerland), Tomas Kaberle (Czech Extraliga), Yannick Weber (Switzerland), Rahpael Diaz (Switzerland) and Tomas Plekanec (Czech Extraliga).

That said, both Kaberle and Pacioretty left their respective teams and returned to North America.