Penguins sign Odelein
PITTSBURGH – Lyle Odelein signed Friday with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have been looking for a steady and physical defender to complement a group of mostly offense-minded defensemen. Odelein, 37, has played for four teams since being chosen as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first team captain in 2000. He spent 2003-04 with Florida, getting four goals and 12 assists while appearing in all 82 games, but was not re-signed after that season.
Odelein, a longtime Penguins antagonist while with the New Jersey Devils from 1996-2000, figures to be a No. 4, 5 or 6 defenseman for a rebuilding team that badly needed an experienced veteran player along its blue line.
The Penguins’ other top defensemen – Sergei Gonchar, Dick Tarnstrom and Ric Jackman – are valued more for their offensive skills than their defense. Odelein could also help bring along second-year defenseman Brooks Orpik, who is unsigned but is expected to return to the team.
Odelein can move the puck, an asset on a team that again plans to rely on an uptempo offense, and also brings an enforcer’s type presence that could help prevent teams from being too physical with No. 1 draft pick Sidney Crosby.
Since the NHL ended the labor impasse that shut down the 2004-05 season, the Penguins have been one of the most active teams in adding players, signing Odelein, Gonchar, forwards Zigmund Palffy and John LeClair and drafting Crosby, rated by scouts as the sport’s most gifted young player since the Penguins’ Mario Lemieux in 1984.
Odelein has played in 1,029 NHL games, winning a Stanley Cup championship with the Canadiens in 1993, and has 50 goals, 201 assists and 2,266 penalty minutes. While with the Devils, he had an extended feud with former Penguins forward Matthew Barnaby.
The Penguins on Friday also hired former All-Star forward Kevin Stevens as a scout. Stevens, 40, played on both Penguins Stanley Cup-winning teams in 1991 and 1992 and will scout amateur and professional players mostly in his native New England.
Stevens is fifth in Penguins history in goals scored, seventh in assists and sixth in points.
“We’re delighted to have Kevin back where he belongs, with the Penguins,” general manager Craig Patrick said. “Kevin brings a passion to the game that is second to none.”