The Florida Panthers have announced the signing of veteran center John Madden, which should help shore up their front line which has been decimated by injuries in recent weeks. Our Florida Panthers blog Litter Box Cats has more on Madden.
Madden has won multiple Stanley Cups, most recently in 2010 as a member of the Blackhawks. While in New Jersey, in addition to Cup wins in 2000 and 2003, he won the Selke trophy, awarded to the League's best defensive forward, for the 2000-2001 season. He brings experience, plus good faceoff and penalty killing skills to the Panthers, both areas that have needed improvement this season.
Details of the contract were not readily available. Madden has 345 points in his career, and has averaged just under 24 a season in his last three, spent as a member of the Devils, Blackhawks and most recently Wild. He will be a strong veteran presence for the Panthers, and perhaps more importantly, a warm body to throw out on the ice while they struggle to get healthy.
For more on this signing and all things Panthers hockey, head over the aforementioned Litter Box Cats.