Winnipeg Jets Sign Randy Jones and Rick Rypien

The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they have signed defenseman Randy Jones to a one-year contract worth $1.15 million and right wing Rick Rypien to a one-year contract worth $700,000. In 61 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jones had one goal and 12 assists for 13 points. He missed the last 16 games of the regular season and eight playoff games with an ankle injury. Rypien appeared in nine games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, scoring one assist. He was suspended six games last November for an altercation with a fan during a game against the Minnesota Wild. He would go on to miss the majority of the 2010-11 season because of personal reasons. He also appeared in 11 games with Manitoba of the AHL, scoring two assists. These aren't bad depth signings for the Jets. Jones will add some offensive skill and puck-handling skills to the blueline as a sixth or seventh defenseman, while Rypien will bring lots of grit and toughness to the checking lines.