The door seems to have officially shut on Dennis Seidenberg — and perhaps Anton Babchuk — today with the signing of veteran defenseman Andrew Alberts to a two-year, $2.1 million contract. He will earn $800,000 next season and $1.3 million in 2010-11.
Here's the official release:
HURRICANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH ANDREW ALBERTS
6’5’’ defenseman led Philadelphia Flyers in hits, ranked third in blocked shots in 2008-09
RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Andrew Alberts on a two-year contract. The deal will pay Alberts $800,000 in 2009-10 and $1.3 million in 2010-11.
"Andrew is a big, physical defenseman who should be just coming into his prime at the NHL level," said Rutherford. "He had a good year for the Flyers after suffering an injury the previous season, and should help solidify our blueline with his defensive presence."
Alberts, 28, earned career highs in games played (79), goals (1), assists (12), points (13) and plus/minus (+6) in 2008-09 after being acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade on Oct. 13. The Minneapolis, MN, native led all Flyers skaters in hits (157) and ranked third on the team in blocked shots (133). He ranked third among Flyers defensemen in total shorthanded time on ice, and fourth among Philadelphia blueliners in plus/minus (+6). Alberts (6’5", 218 lbs.) skated in all six Flyers playoff games, earning one assist and totaling 10 penalty minutes during the team’s six-game series against Pittsburgh.
Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round, 179th overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Alberts has totaled two goals, 30 assists (32 points) and 292 penalty minutes in 263 career NHL games with the Bruins and Flyers. Prior to turning professional, he played four seasons at Boston College, where he was a two-time NCAA East First-Team All-American. His complete career statistics are listed below.
