The Columbus Blue Jackets announced a slew of signings on the first day of free agency by inking goaltenders Curtis Sanford and Mark Dekanich to one-year contracts and centers Nicholas Drazenovic and Andrew Joudrey to one-year, two-way contracts. Sanford's deal will pay him $600,000, while the financial terms of the other three contracts were not disclosed. In 40 games last season with Hamilton of the AHL, Sanford posted a 22-13-2 record, five shutouts, a 1.93 GAA, and a .916 save percentage, while Dekanich posted a 23-12-5 record, four shutouts, a 2.02 GAA, and a .931 save percentage in 43 games with Milwaukee of the AHL. He also appeared in one game with the Nashville Predators, allowing three goals and posting a 3.60 GAA and .880 save percentage. Drazenovic played in three games with the St. Louis Blues last season, scoring no points. He also appeared in 75 games with Peoria of the AHL, scoring 23 goals and 23 assists for 46 points. In 66 games last season with Hershey of the AHL, Joudrey had seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. These are really just depth signings for the Blue Jackets, as all four players will likely play much of next season in the minors. Although, Sanford and Dekanich could battle for the backup role in Columbus next season at training camp in September if a more capable backup netminder isn't signed by then.
***UPDATE***
Andrew Joudrey's contract is actually a two-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $575,000 at the NHL level and $115,000 at the AHL level for the 2011-12 season and $600,000 at the NHL level and $125,000 at the AHL level for the 2012-13 season.
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