The Florida Panthers have signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Jordan Leopold on a one-year contract worth $1.75 million.
Leopold's rights were trading to the Panthers last Friday, along with a 2009 third-round draft pick, from the Calgary Flames in exchange for the rights to defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.
"When we made the deal for Leopold last week, we did so knowing he was the kind of player and person that we wanted in our organization," Panthers assistant GM Randy Sexton said. "It took some time to reach an agreement that Jordan and his family were comfortable with, but we are thrilled to have him. That said, he’s a very mobile defenseman that logs considerable minutes and is solid in all three zones. He’s also a proven postseason performer from his time in college, with Calgary, and in pressure situations with the U.S. National Team."
Leopold, 28, played in 83 games last season with both Calgary and Colorado scoring seven goals with 17 assists and 24 penalty minutes.
The Golden Valley, Minnesota native was originally drafted by Anaheim with their first choice, 44th overall, in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
