Flames Sign Ben Walter and Clay Wilson

The Calgary Flames have announced that they have signed center Ben Walter and defenseman Clay Wilson to two-year contracts worth $1.075 million and $1.05 million, respectively. Walter's deal will average $537,500 per season, while Wilson's contract will average $525,000 per year. In 77 games last season with Lake Erie of the AHL, Walter had 23 goals and 47 assists for 70 points. Wilson appeared in 15 games with the Florida Panthers last season, scoring three goals and two assists for five points. He also played in 66 games with Rochester of the AHL, scoring 12 goals and 36 assists for 48 points. These are really just depth signings for the Flames. Walter brings some defensive skill to the forward lines, but doesn't have a lot of scoring upside at the NHL level. He will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors. Wilson brings some depth to the blueline, but will likely have to fight for a roster spot at training camp. If he does see an time with Calgary in 2011-12, it will likely be as a sixth or seventh defenseman.

Panthers Sign Defensemen Leopold & Wilson to Contracts

The Florida Panthers continued to retool their defense on Thursday by signing defenseman Jordan Leopold to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million and defenseman Clay Wilson to a two-year contract. The terms of Wilson’s deal were not disclosed. The Panthers acquired Leopold on June 27 in a trade with the Calgary Flames in exchange for the negotiating rights to star defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Leopold was traded to the Calgary Flames at the March 2009 traded deadline by the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defensemen Lawrence Nycholat and Ryan Wilson and a second round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft. In 83 games last season with the Avalanche and Flames, Leopold scored seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points. In 355 career games with the Flames and Avalanche, he has 29 goals and 80 assists for 109 points. Wilson started last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets but was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in January for Jason Williams. In seven games last season with the Thrashers and Blue Jackets, he scored one assist. Wilson split the rest of the season with Chicago and Syracuse of the AHL, appearing in 70 total games, scoring 14 goals and 31 assists for 45 points.

These are okay signings for the Panthers, who are in the process of rebuilding their blueline after the departure of Bouwmeester. Leopold brings lots of defensive depth to the Panthers and plenty of skill to their power play and penalty kill. The Panthers were wise to sign him to a one-year contract, as Leopold has a bit of an injury history. Wilson was likely a depth signing for the Panthers, as he is not quite ready to crack the NHL full time. He definitely has the skills to be a top-six defenseman in the league as long as teams give him the chance.

Blue Jackets Acquire Williams from Thrashers

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Wednesday that they have acquired right wing Jason Williams from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for defenseman Clay Wilson and the San Jose Sharks' 6th round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft, which was previously acquired by the Blue Jackets. In 41 games so far this season, Williams has seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points and eight penalty minutes. He was signed to a one-year contract by the Thrashers' this past summer. Wilson, who has played in five games so far this season and has one assist, was assigned to the Thrashers' AHL affiliate in Chicago. This is a good trade for the injury ravaged Blue Jackets. Williams will provide plenty of offensive depth for the team as well as bring plenty of experience to their power play. The Thrashers appear as if they are beginning to go into sell mode as the trade deadline approaches, as they are currently 14th in the Eastern Conference and 14 points out of the playoffs. It looks as if the Thrashers will miss the playoffs again, while the Blue Jackets are looking to make the playoffs for the first time in their existence, as they are currently sitting in the 8th spot in the Western Conference. A lot of their success this season can be given to the outstanding play of rookies Steve Mason, Derick Brassard, and Jakub Voracek. Don't be surprised if the Blue Jackets make more trades leading up to the trade deadline, as they are determined to make the playoffs this year.