By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff

The 24-year-old was the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft. Minnesota traded Pouliot to Montreal for Guillaume Latendresse on Nov. 23, 2009.

This past season, Pouliot scored 13 goals and 17 assists in 79 games. Pouliot was a healthy scratch for four games in the first round against the Bruins.

"He's been a healthy scratch in Montreal," acknowledged GM Peter Chiarelli. "He certainly has shown some flashes. He's got to earn a spot, as will everyone else. He's anxious to come here and prove himself. We think he's got a pretty good package."

The 2005 draft included Sidney Crosby, Carey Price, Bobby Ryan, Jack Johnson, Marc Staal, Anze Kopitar, Paul Stastny, and Keith Yandle. Framed against those players, Pouliot has been a major disappointment. In 183 games, Pouliot has scored 37 goals and 35 assists. The left-shot forward will be a reclamation project for the Bruins, who like his size (6-foot-3, 199 pounds) and skill.

In Boston, Pouliot is best known for one-punching David Krejci during the regular season. In the playoffs, Pouliot took a run at Johnny Boychuk, which brought Andrew Ference calling.

Pouliot becomes the third former Canadien that GM Peter Chiarelli has signed upon the opening of free agency. On July 1, 2008, the Bruins signed Michael Ryder. A year later, they signed Steve Begin.

* The Bruins have signed Trent Whitfield and Anton Khudobin to two-year extensions.

* The Bruins are still talking with Tomas Kaberle.

@GlobeFluto