Sabres Sign Defenseman Joe DiPenta to One-Year Contract

The Buffalo Sabres added some veteran depth to their blueline last weekend by signing defenseman Joe DiPenta to a one-year contract worth $550,000. DiPenta played in 47 games with Vastra Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League, scoring one goal and five assists for six points and 71 penalty minutes. He last played in the NHL during the 2007-08 season with the Anaheim Ducks. In 174 career NHL games with the Ducks and Atlanta Thrashers, he has six goals and 17 assists for 23 points and 110 penalty minutes. He won the Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007. Not a bad signing for the Sabres, as they were in need of a little bit more veteran experience on the blueline. DiPenta will bring the team lots of toughness and defensive skill as a sixth or seventh defenseman next season.