Rob Parent of the Delaware County Times reported on Thursday that the Philadelphia Flyers were interested in signing free agent defenseman Kurtis Foster.
The Flyers have made the signing official this morning, now that the “memorandum of understanding” between the NHL and NHLPA has been finalized.
Foster’s contract, per Anthony San Filippo, is for one year at $950 K. He will be wearing #3.
The signing adds additional depth to the Flyers’ depleted blue line. The 31-year old broke his femur in a race to negate an icing in 2008 but bounced back in the following season with 8 goals and 42 points in 71 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Foster’s production dropped off last season between stints with the Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild, earning just 4 goals and 14 points. He has slowed down half a step, but still has a booming shot that can help the powerplay while Andrej Meszaros remains hurt.
Ideally, Erik Gustafsson would be able to serve as the 7th defenseman, but he is still coping with an ankle injury. That means, to start the season, the Flyers will ice Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Luke Schenn, Nicklas Grossmann, Bruno Gervais, Andreas Lilja and Foster.For the latest Flyers news and updates, you can follow me on twitter (@JoshJanet).
