The Habs continued to add to their blueline depth on Saturday, as the team
has come to terms with free agent Alexandre Picard on a 1 year, two-way
contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Picard
split last season between Ottawa and Carolina, picking up 4 goals and 11 assists
with 26 PIMS. The 25 year old was not tendered a qualifying offer and
became a UFA on July 1.
The 6’2, 220 pound defenceman was originally a 3rd round pick (85th overall)
of the Flyers back in 2003 and has bounced around playing for Philadelphia,
Tampa Bay, as well as Ottawa and Carolina in his brief NHL career. He made
$850,000 last season on the second and final year of a 2 year, $1.6 million deal
he signed upon being acquired in part of the Andrej Meszaros to Tampa deal back
in 2008.
In 193 career NHL games, the Gatineau native has 16 goals and 41 assists with
65 PIMS. In the AHL, where he last played in 2007, he has amassed 16
tallies and 58 helpers with 115 PIMS in 135 career games. He becomes the
47th player to be signed under the 50-contract limit (which includes the junior
eligible players who are eligible to slide back a year). He will have to
clear waivers to join the Bulldogs. Interestingly enough, the now former UFA will be restricted next season with arbitration rights, just like newly acquired C Dustin Boyd.