Bruins Sign Goaltender Sabourin & Defenseman Fata to One-Year Deals

The Boston Bruins announced on Tuesday evening that they have signed goaltender Dany Sabourin and defenseman Drew Fata to one-year contracts. Terms of both of their deals were not disclosed. Sabourin split last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers after being traded to the Oilers by the Penguins with Ryan Stone and a fourth round pick in 2011 in exchange for goaltender Mathieu Garon. In 19 games last season, Sabourin posted a 6-8-2 record with a 2.85 GAA and a .898 save percentage. Fata split time last season with the Phoenix Coyotes and Ottawa Senators organizations after being traded to the Senators from the Coyotes in exchange for forward Alexander Nikulin. Fata did not appear in any NHL games last season, but played in 75 AHL games with San Antonio and Binghamton, scoring seven goals and nine assists for 16 points and 141 penalty minutes. Sabourin gives the Bruins a more than capable backup to Tim Thomas, who will see the bulk of the starts next season. However, prospect Tuukka Rask will definitely challenge Sabourin for the backup role next season, as he is seen as the goalie of the future for the Bruins. Fata is a very tough and physical defenseman, but is nothing more than a depth defenseman. He will likely play most of next season in the minors, but if he does get recalled by the Senators, he will likely be the sixth or seventh defenseman.