MONTREAL (Ticker) -- Doug Gilmour just isn't the retiring type.

The 39-year-old center on Friday signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, who hold an option for the 2003-04 campaign.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Fifth among active players with 1,384 points, Gilmour will be entering his 20th NHL season and his second with the Canadiens.

He played 70 games for Montreal last season, recording 10 goals and a team-high 31 assists.

The Canadiens ended a three-year playoff drought last season before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"Doug Gilmour is a true leader and a proven competitor," Canadiens general manager Andre Savard said. "His NHL experience, his great desire to win and his pride to wear the Canadiens' uniform largely contributed to the success of our team last season. We are very pleased to have Doug back with us for a second season."

Selected in the fourth round of the 1982 draft by the St. Louis Blues, Gilmour has played 1,412 games -- seventh among active players -- with St. Louis, Calgary, Toronto, New Jersey, Chicago, Buffalo and Montreal.

Gilmour, who won a Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1989, has three 100-point seasons, including a career-high 127-point campaign for the Maple Leafs in 1991-92.

Gilmour also has been a clutch playoff performer, totaling 188 points in 182 games to rank sixth all-time in postseason scoring and second behind Mark Messier among active players.