Wild Sign Jeff Taffe to One-Year Contract

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have signed center Jeff Taffe to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He appeared in one game last season with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring no points. He also played in 74 games with Rockford of the AHL, scoring 30 goals and 37 assists for 67 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Wild, as Taffe will likely play much of next season in the AHL. If he sees any NHL action in 2011-12, it will likely be on Minnesota's fourth line and as an injury replacement.

Panthers Acquire Marty Reasoner from Blackhawks for Jeff Taffe

The Florida Panthers have announced that they have acquired center Marty Reasoner from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for left wing Jeff Taffe. The Blackhawks originally acquired Reasoner from the Atlanta Thrashers on June 24 in the Dustin Byfuglien trade. In 80 games last season with the Thrashers, Reasoner had four goals and 13 assists for 17 points. Taffe played in 21 games last season with the Panthers, scoring one goal and one assist. He also appeared in 61 games with Rochester of the AHL, scoring 28 goals and 28 assists for 56 points. Not a bad move for the Panthers, as Reasoner will bring some experience at center and skill to the checking lines. For the Blackhawks, it's another salary dumping trade, as they will free up $1.15 million, which will likely go toward re-signing goaltender Antti Niemi. Taffe doesn't really have a lot of upside at the NHL level and could play much of next season in the minors. If he does play any games with the Blackhawks, it will likely be on their fourth line.

Panthers Sign Forward Jeff Taffe to Two-Year Deal

The Florida Panthers added some depth to their offense on Monday night by signing center Jeff Taffe to a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Taffe played in eight games last season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring two assists. He also appeared in 74 games for the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, scoring 25 goals and 50 assists for 75 points. In 153 career NHL games with the Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes, and New York Rangers, he has 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points. This is mainly a depth signing for the Panthers, as Taffe is nothing more than a fourth line forward. He was once tabbed to become a top-six forward, but could never play up to his potential. Still, he will bring the Panthers plenty of offensive depth.