Penguins Sign Boris Valabik to One-Year Deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have signed defenseman Boris Valabik to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $550,000 at the NHL level. In 59 games last season with Chicago and Providence of the AHL, he had 11 assists and 189 penalty minutes. He last played in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2009-10 season. Not a bad depth signing for the Penguins, as Valabik has tremendous size and brings lots of grit and toughness to the blueline, as well as some shutdown qualities. However, he is a bit slow, takes bad penalties from time to time, and doesn't have a lot of offensive upside. As a result, Valabik will likely be a seventh defenseman for the Penguins if he is successful in making the starting roster for the 2011-12 season.