Florida sends Parros to Montreal for pick
The Montreal Canadiens acquired enforcer George Parros from the Florida Panthers Friday.
Montreal sent prospect Philippe Lefebvre and a 2014 seventh-round pick to Florida for the 6-5, 228-pound Parros, who was born in Washington and played on the Stanley Cup-winning team of the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. It is the same seventh rounder Montreal acquired from the Panthers at the NHL draft last week.
Parros had one goal, one assist and 57 penalty minutes last season. In 452 NHL games, he has 18 goals, 17 assists and 1,007 penalty minutes.
The Canadiens were likely looking to take some of the fighting workload off Brandon Prust by dealing for Parros, one of the league’s best-known heavyweights.
“Brandon’s got the heart of a lion,” Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin said. “He’s a warrior. He stands up for his teammates. You tell him not to do it and he can’t help himself. So adding George will help him.”
Bergevin didn’t sign anyone as the NHL free agent market opened Friday, but he swung a deal to land Parros.
“I felt it was an important element to add to our lineup,” he said. “We’re bringing in a guy with a lot of character.
“We know what he brings, and it’s an aspect that at this time we feel is important.”
Parros said he hopes to help the Canadiens by playing hockey as well as fighting, but acknowledged that dropping the gloves is how he has made his mark in the NHL.
“I play my game,” Parros said on a conference call. “I stick up for my teammates no matter how small or tall they are.
“I bring a level of protection, and I hope they feel comfortable with me in the lineup.”
Drafted 22nd overall by Los Angeles in 1999, Parros has also played for the Kings, Colorado, and Anaheim.
Alfredsson to Detroit, Iginla to Boston: Daniel Alfredsson bolted from the Ottawa Senators to sign with the Detroit Red Wings, sensing that was the best move he could make in his drive to win a championship before his career ends.
“It’s all about trying to get the Stanley Cup,” he said.
It is for Jarome Iginla, too.
Iginla signed a one-year deal with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins. The longtime Calgary Flames and short-time Pittsburg Penguins forward will make $1.8 million guaranteed and can make up to $6 million with Boston.
The Senators, refusing to settle after losing Alfredsson, responded with a bold move to acquire Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks. NHL teams made a big splash on the first day of free agency with a slew of signings and some trades.
Devils sign Clowe: The New Jersey Devils are investing a lot of money in a banged-up player, hoping he’s healthy enough to provide a good return when he makes a move across the river.
The Devils opened free agency on Friday by signing forward Ryane Clowe to a five-year, $24.25 million contract. They then followed up by adding two more forwards by signing Michael Ryder to a two-year, $7 million contract and Rostislav Olesz to a one-year, $1 million deal.
Islanders re-sign Nabakov: The New York Islanders re-signed goalie Evgeni Nabokov and defenseman Travis Hamonic, and still had time and money to add two forwards in free agency.
Nabokov will return after signing a one-year, $3.25 million contract. Hamonic agreed to a seven-year, $27 million deal after the Islanders had previously retained the rights to the restricted free agent.
New York then added to its roster by signing forwards Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Peter Regin both to one-year deals. Bouchard’s contract is worth $2 million.