New York Islanders re-sign Doug Weight
The New York Islanders have re-signed forward Doug Weight to a one-year contract. Weight became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2009-10 season. The signing retains the veteran for at least one more season.
Weight was selected 34th overall by the New York Rangers in the second round of the 1990 National Hockey League entry draft. He would spend the better part of two NHL seasons with the Rangers before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers. Weight spent eight seasons with the Oilers making a name for himself as a skilled offensive centre-man. His best year came in 1995-96 when he amassed 104 points in 82 games. Weight moved to the St. Louis Blues for the start of the 2001-02 season and remained with the squad until 2005-06 when he went through a brief end of year stint with the Carolina Hurricanes. The following season Weight returned to St. Louis for a full season, and was then traded to the Ducks during the 2007-08 campaign. Weight has spent the last two seasons as the Islanders captain, but has had difficulty remaining in the line-up due to injury.
At 39 years old Weight is expected to retire after the 2010-11 season and although he is no longer the offensive juggernaut he was in the past he is still capable of contributing. With such a young crop of forward the Islanders are in need of veteran leadership up front, Weight will be able to provide that guidance. Expect the Michigan native to slot in on New York’s second line giving Josh Bailey another year to develop on the third unit.
The Weight signing was a solid move by general manager Garth Snow. Bringing back a centre with 19 years of NHL experience to help develop a plethora of young talent is important for the Islanders development.
Last season with the Islanders Weight registered one goal and 16 assists in 36 games.
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