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Penguins sign Taffe to one-year deal
Taffe
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
John Grupp can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7930 / Grupp's blog
But this time there's no need for a locker room meet-and-greet.
Taffe, who last year helped the Penguins battle through some midseason injuries on their way to the Stanley Cup Finals, will return after re-signing on Monday.
Taffe, 27, an unrestricted free agent, inked a one-year deal. Terms were not disclosed, but Taffe made a reported $500,000 last season.
"Jeff did a real good job for us last year," general manager Ray Shero said. "He was looking for an opportunity, and we gave him that. He took advantage of it. He's a guy who's hungry to play."
The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Taffe signed as a free agent last July, and was promoted from Wilkes-Barre in December -- where he was the team's leading scorer with 21 points in 27 games -- as the Penguins were dealing with a spate of front-line injuries.
Taffe's role was increased a week-and-a-half after his call-up, when left wing Gary Roberts sustained a broken leg.
"He was one of the many guys that took advantage of a chance, and he ended up staying," Shero said. "He's got to battle for his job (this year), but we look forward to having him back."
Taffe tallied five goals and seven assists in 45 games. The highlight for the St. Louis Blues' 2000 first-round draft pick was a game-winner against Montreal on Jan. 19.
In 145 games with the Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes and New York Rangers, Taffe has 20 goals and 20 assists.
Taffe is a likely fourth-line winger, although Shero said he's versatile enough to play center or move up a line.
"He has good speed and skill; that's what got him drafted so high," Shero said. "He has enough skill that he can play up in the lineup and he's smart enough and good enough to play a certain style."
Taffe was among three players the Penguins re-signed, joining forward Jonathan Filewich, who inked a two-year deal, and defenseman Paul Bissonnette, who signed a one-year contract.
Filewich, 23, recorded 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last season. The former third-round pick by the Penguins and Fastest Skater winner at the 2007 AHL All-Star game spent five games with the Penguins.
Bissonnette, 23, played last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Wheeling, W. Va., the Penguin's ECHL affiliate. He combined for 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) and 188 penalty minutes in 68 games.
