Canadiens Acquire Paul Mara from Ducks

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they have acquired defenseman Paul Mara from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a fifth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. Mara, who has been a healthy scratch in 23 of the Ducks' last 25 games, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He is also beginning his second stint with the Canadiens. In 33 games so far this season, he has one goal and one assist, as well as 40 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth move for Montreal, as Mara played with the team last season and will already be familiar with their system, and will also bring some toughness and plenty of size to the team. More importantly, he will bring some much needed defensive depth to a club that is currently without Andrei Markov, Josh Gorges, Hall Gill, and Jaroslav Spacek because of injuries.

Ducks Sign Defenseman Paul Mara to One-Year Contract

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed defenseman Paul Mara to a one-year contract worth $750,000. In 42 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, he had eight assists and 48 penalty minutes. Mara missed 40 games and all 19 of Montreal's playoff games last season due to injuries, 30 of which he was sidelined with a shoulder injury. In 681 career NHL games with Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Boston, New York Rangers, and Montreal, he has 63 goals and 184 assists for 247 points and 688 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for the Ducks, as Mara brings some much needed veteran depth to the team's blueline. He also has lots of size, plays with plenty of toughness, and can contribute to the score sheet from time to time, so he should be a good addition to the Ducks' roster.

Canadiens Sign Defenseman Mara to One-Year Contract

The Montreal Canadiens continued to add veteran depth to their roster last Friday by signing defenseman Paul Mara to a one-year contract worth $1.675 million. In 76 games last season for the New York Rangers, Mara scored five goals and 16 assists for 21 points and 94 penalty minutes. In 639 career games with the Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Phoenix Coyotes, and Boston Bruins, he has 63 goals and 176 assists for 239 points and 640 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for the Canadiens as they continue to retool their roster with veteran players. Mara brings plenty of toughness to the team’s blueline as well as some offense, especially on the power play.