Canadiens avoid arbitration, agree to 4-year deal with center Lars Eller

The Montreal Canadiens avoided arbitration with center Lars Eller, agreeing to a four-year contract on Thursday.

Eller was scheduled to have an arbitration hearing on Friday.

"Very happy to be part of the Montreal Canadiens for 4 more years," Eller wrote on Twitter.

"We are very pleased to have agreed upon a long term agreement with Lars Eller," general manager Marc Bergevin said in a statement. "He is an important part of our group of young veterans.