Peter Bondra finally finds a suitor
CHICAGO (CP) — The Chicago Blackhawks signed winger Peter Bondra to a US$500,000, one-year deal plus incentives Sunday, hoping the veteran sniper can provide a boost to one of the lowest-scoring clubs in the NHL.
Bondra scored 21 goals with 18 assists in 60 games last season with the Atlanta Thrashers but went unsigned afterwards. The 38-year-old is scheduled for a physical Monday morning and could be in the lineup Tuesday night when the Blackhawks visit St. Louis.
Heading into Sunday’s action, Chicago ranked 27th in goals for with 67.
“He’s a proven goal scorer,” general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. “He’s a tremendously fit athlete who will add more speed and skill to our lineup. He will help our power play and his experience will greatly help our younger players.”
A two-time 50-goal-scorer, Bondra needs two more goals to reach the 500 mark for his career. He also has 380 assists in 1,044 games with Washington, Ottawa and Atlanta..
Current Blackhawks Bryan Smolinski and Martin Havlat played with him in Ottawa. Source:http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20061210_135708_4376
Well hopefully this will give the Blackhawks some scoring relief or at the very least, help them out till Havlat and Handuz comes back. I personnaly was hoping for Bondra to sign with the Canucks who scoring woes have them placed in 2nd last in the NHL. However, Nonuts is apparently not willing to take a chance on a proven goal scorer, albeit a 38 year old, proven none the less. 21 goals and 18 assists in 60 games in the new NHL is a worthwhile investment for 500k in my honest opinion. How do you think this aqquisition will pan out?