The 33-year-old forward scored 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 56 regular-season games with the Winnipeg Jets last season, and two points (one goal, one assist) in eight Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"I didn't know the market, it was a new experience for me," Perreault said Friday. "I'd been fortunate in Winnipeg to be successful and have a lucrative contract ($4.125 million average annual value), which has been amazing. So I'm at a point in my career where the monetary aspect is a little less important. It was really more about finding a place where I was going to be comfortable and happy, and Montreal filled all the boxes.
"We were really happy when Montreal showed interest. I told my agent that Montreal was at the top of my list."
The Quebec native said his role with the Canadiens may be similar to that of forward Corey Perry, who left Montreal to sign a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.
"It could be," Perreault said. "I had a bit of a Swiss Army-knife role in Winnipeg and I think that's kind of the same thing (coach) Dominique [Ducharme] sees in me. Of course, Corey and I are different players, but it's a role that I would definitely enjoy here in Montreal. I can bring energy, leadership, experience, and maybe, with my offensive skills, help on the power play.
"When you come to a new team, you've got to prove what you can do and earn your spot in the lineup. I've built a career on that. I came into the league that way. Always played every game like there's a chance I'm out of the lineup next game, so I have to perform that night. And I'm coming to Montreal with the same idea of, if you play your best game, you have a chance to stay in the lineup, if you don't, you might come out. This is how I see it and we'll go from there."
Perreault, who can play any of the three forward positions, said he is unsure where the Canadiens will utilize him.
"When I was playing center I went to the wing because I started having a little bit of back problems with taking face-offs," he said. "I started playing the wing and things were going well. So that's how I became a winger in Winnipeg. ... Playing center, obviously it would take maybe a little bit of time to get back into exactly knowing where to go on the ice and what to do... but I've done it before, so I don't seeing it being a problem as all."
Selected by the Washington Capitals in the sixth round (No. 177) of the 2006 NHL Draft, Perreault has scored 343 points (139 goals, 204 assists) in 683 regular-season games with the Jets, Anaheim Ducks and Capitals, and 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 51 playoff games.
Perreault, who is a native of Drummondville, is among several Quebec natives on the Canadiens, including forwards Jonathan Drouin and Cedric Paquette, and defenseman David Savard.
"It's very exciting to have the chance to play with some French Canadians," Perreault said." ... I'm very excited to get to meet all the guys, and obviously the French guys on the team, that will be special."
