Bruins Sign Benoit Pouliot to One-Year Contract

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have signed left wing Benoit Pouliot to a one-year contract worth $1.1 million. In 79 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, he had 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points and 87 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for the Bruins, as Pouliot still has plenty of offensive upside. He can rack up plenty of points while he is on his game and is versatile enough to play on the wing. Inconsistency has plagued him throughout his NHL career, so hopefully he can add some consistency to his game while playing a top-nine role in Boston.

Canadiens Re-Sign Forwards Pyatt and Pouliot

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they have signed left wings Tom Pyatt and Benoit Pouliot to one-year contracts. Pyatt will make $500,000 next season, while Pouliot's contract is worth $1.375 million. Both players were eligible for restricted free agency on July 1. Pyatt, who was acquired from the New York Rangers last summer in the Scott Gomez trade, had two goals and three assists for five points in 40 games with the Canadiens last season. He also appeared in 41 games with Hamilton of the AHL, scoring 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points. Pouliot, who was acquired from the Minnesota Wild last November for Guillaume Latendresse, had 17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points with the Wild and Canadiens. He also appeared in three games with Hamilton on a conditioning assignment, scoring one goal and two assists. These aren't bad signings for the Canadiens, as Pyatt and Pouliot were both hard-working players for the team last season. Pyatt has plenty of speed and is a very versatile forward, as he can play both center and wing, making him a good fit for the fourth line next season. Pouliot played extremely well for the Canadiens after joining the team last November and should continue to be a good fit next season. Like Pyatt, Pouliot is a versatile player, as he can play both center and the wing. He also has plenty of offensive upside and can rack up points when he is on his game. If Pouliot can continue to improve his play next season with the Canadiens, he could potentially be a 20-30 scorer with the club.

Wild Re-Sign Four Players to New Contracts

The Minnesota Wild have retained several depth players by re-signing defenseman Clayton Stoner, right wing Danny Irmen, and left wings Benoit Pouliot and Robbie Earl to new contracts. Exact length and financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. Stoner did not play in any NHL games last season, instead appearing in 63 games with the Wild’s AHL affiliate in Houston, scoring two goals and 22 assists for 24 points and 81 penalty minutes. Irmen did not play in any NHL games last season as well, instead playing in 69 games with Houston, scoring seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points. Pouliot played in 37 games last season with the Wild, scoring five goals and six assists for 11 points. He also appeared in 30 games with Houston, scoring nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points. Earl did not play in any NHL games last season, instead splitting 2008-09 with Houston and the Toronto Marlies, scoring six goals and 13 assists for 19 points in 69 games. The Wild acquired the 24-year-old forward from the Toronto Maple Leafs in January for forward Ryan Hamilton.

These are really just depth signings for the Wild. Stoner plays with lots of toughness and has some offensive potential. He will likely spend most of next season in the minors, but could see some NHL action if there is an injury to the Wild’s blueline. Irmen has okay offensive potential and could become a top-nine forward in the league if given the chance. He likely won’t see much NHL action next season and will probably spend most of it in the minors. Pouliot has lots of offensive skill and could become a top-six forward for the Wild. He could start next season on the fourth line, and if he is impressive enough early in the season, could climb into a permanent top-nine role. Earl is likely to spend most of next season in the minors, where he will provide plenty of offensive depth for Houston.