Pittsburgh Penguins sign Mike Comrie
The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have signed forward Mike Comrie to a one-year deal worth $500,000. Comrie spent last season with the Edmonton Oilers and became an unrestricted free agent at the beginning of the off-season.
Comrie was drafted 91st overall by the Oilers in the third round of the National Hockey League entry draft. He joined Edmonton full time for the 2001-02 season, demonstrating exceptional skill for a youngster, registering 33 goals and 60 points. In 2003-04 he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers where he only played 21 games before being shipped off to the Phoenix Coyotes. He would spend the entire 2005-06 season with the Coyotes before being moved to the Senators the following season. The veteran centre-man then experienced a brief stint with the Islanders before heading back to Ottawa for 22 games, finally spending last season with the Oilers.
Comrie has had a difficult time remaining healthy throughout his career and has therefore had trouble finding a permanent NHL home. Nevertheless, with Jordan Staal expected to be out of the line-up for training camp Comrie supplies some depth at the centre position. Moreover, Comrie is expected to be placed on the wing upon Staal’s return, perhaps playing on the first line with Sidney Crosby. Comrie is still a capable scorer and could be very effective playing on a line with either Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.
The Pens lack depth on the flanks and with a salary of $500,000 and a one-year deal Comrie could end up being a steal for Pittsburgh in 2010-11. The Alberta native is going to be given several opportunities to excel on offence and if he is able to capitalise he could be looking at a long term deal at year’s end. For all intents-and-purposes this is Comrie’s last shot to find a home in the NHL, he will have to elevate his game if he hopes to remain in the League next season.
Last year with the Oilers Comrie tallied 13 goals and eight assists for 21 points in 43 games.
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