The Carolina Hurricanes signed defenseman Andrew Alberts, who had a team-high 157 hits and blocked 133 shots for the Philadelphia Flyers last season.
It's a two-year deal that will pay him $800,000 this season and $1.3 million next year.
Alberts is 6-foot-5 and 218 pounds.
"These last two days have been real good to us, getting players that play with a little bit more edge and some size," said Jim Rutherford, Hurricanes general manager and president, who also signed 6-foot, 200-pound wing Tom Kostopoulos on Tuesday.
Rutherford described Alberts as “a big, physical defenseman who should be just coming into his prime at the NHL level."
Alberts, of Minneapolis, is 28 and is coming off a season in which he accumalted career highs in games played (79), goals (1), assists (12), points (13) and plus/minus (+6) after an Oct. 13 trade to the Flyers, a season after an injury in the previous season.
He played in all six of the Flyers' playoff games last season, earning an assist and totaling 10 penalty minutes against Pittsburgh.
The Boston Bruins drafted him in the sixth round of the 2001 draft. He scored two goals, 30 assists (32 points) and 292 penalty minutes in 263 career NHL games with the Bruins and Flyers.
He was a two-time NCAA East First-Team All-American at Boston College, where he played four seasons.
Rutherford said the signing doesn't rule out re-signing defenseman Dennis Seidenberg.
"We're still working on adding one more defenseman," he said.
That, Rutherford added, would allow the team to buy out the final year of defenseman Frank Kaberle's contract at about two-thirds of the $2.2 million he would have otherwise made this year and spread the payments over the next two seasons.
Defenseman Anton Babchuk, Rutherford said, does appear to be out. Babchuk, with no arbitration rights, wants more than the $1 million he's been offered, and has threatened to play in Russia next season.
"I don't believe so," Rutherford said of Babchuk still being an option. "Based on conversations with his agent, his position hasn't changed and ours' hasn't changed."
Javier Serna has covered sports for The News & Observer since 2007. He previously covered growth for the North Raleigh News, and sports at The Truth in Elkhart, Ind. E-mail
Comments
Good signing
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 10:01 — HockeydogGood deal ! The Canes needed a big, strong stay at home blueliner, and Alberts fits the bill. The coffee has been smelled, and JR is making some moves that will make the Canes more unpleasant to play against this fall. If they can get Seidenberg back in the mix I'll really like the look of the defensive unit. Bye bye Babchuk, the team won't miss you as much as you will miss the NHL.
If JR can get Seidenberg signed, I'll say he's done well this summer with the budget he has. Ruutu will be signed and back, but I'd rather it be on good terms instead of arbitration.
Interesting Training Camp
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 23:29 — gmwannabeeI think this is the same Alberts that Walker fought with...and Kostopoulos. Nothing wrong with some edge in the room when introductions are made in camp. I always like a team that does not rely on one guy to stick up for everyone. I also think Rutherford looks at what your history is in the playoffs before he signs or trades for you. Need to sign Rutuu. Seidenberg is a player I have always liked, so I hope they resign him and dump Kaberle and Babchuck.
Yes
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 08:26 — rocheccwThis is the same Alberts that fought Walker & Kostopoulos. These things happen on the ice, and stay on the ice. I'm sure it will be brought up by the media, but the players will have let it go from day one.
Good signing!
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:35 — rockstar15I really like the signing of the "Assassin" Andrew Alberts! He's a big stay at home mauler who will hit you and hit you hard! Good moves these last few days JR! Lets get RUUTU re-signed, get a winger who can score to help Staalsy, and waive bye bye to Babchuck (I like him, but I think he and his agent have really overpriced themselves...take the tender and hit the unrestricted FA market next summer dude) I think this team will be tough to deal with in 2009-10 and I can't wait!!! GO CANES!!!!!!!
Agreed
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:57 — bigblue01This is a great upgrade i/m/o opinion. Although i have not seen him play, the stats are quite pretty for the D-Man.
"...had a team-high 157 hits and blocked 133 shots "
If we don't sign Seidenberg we should be in good shape with a bigger guy who can get in the lane and block shots. If Seidenberg IS signed and Franky is out, then we'll definitely be in better shape on D than last year.
If Pete Friesen can get this guy skating a bit quicker, he would be a good pair with Gleason to wear down other teams forwards with all those hits.
Looking forward to the new season! Go Canes!
I've seen him play
Thu, 07/16/2009 - 08:37 — JRs_Fault... and this guy is a beast. I remember 2 or 3 years ago when he was on a bad (at the time) Boston team, he was one of the more disruptive guys to the Canes forwards in the neutral zone, at one point launching one of them (don't recall who) clean into the bench, much to the dismay of the RBC faithful.
He also fit right into the gritty Philly style of play last year... nothing splashy, but made guys pay down low.
Hmmmm
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:34 — RipskinnyI dunno. We're getting bigger, but slower. We might find ourselves still getting beat on defense, just for different reasons. Signing Seidenberg is a must - he brings a little bit of everything. We've got some 'B' and 'C' level defensemen, but no 'A' guys.
I see what you are saying,
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 20:57 — jgrant641I see what you are saying, but in theory if we have more bulk on the defense it can hinder a speedy opposing offense, while giving our fast guys (mainly forwards) room to skate wide open. we still have corvo and pitkanen who may benifit by not having to play physical ALL the time. if our forwards don't have to play on their heels as much, as they have the past 3 years, they can leave the defense to the defense and they can take care of the offense.
Please Don't faint folks
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:31 — esteban1949But believe it or not i agree to what most of you have said...Now if we can keep Seidenberg...that's a good thing, as i think Seidenberg & This fella Alberts will do more than bolster the back end. But I feel personally Anton is beating a dead horse, and as much as many of us like Mr. K. as he did good...but from the business end it's time for the Canes to cash him out and move on...gee I'm sounding almost business like...Anybody seen my digital ( oral ) thermometer ? i think I'm sick !!! :-0
Go canes !!
good summer
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:07 — jgrant641This looks to be a good move.
I think the signings we have make this to be a good summer.
A lot of our issues, besides blue-line bulk, has been depth. While we have some good young guys, you never want to just throw those young guys into the fire. to have a good mix of young prospects and nhl ready "two-way" vets matters a lot. With that a lot of these 3rd and 4th line, and bottom pair, players can make the difference in an 82 game season.
While some debate each player we signed, the makeup of the team seems to have shifted and that is good.
I would think this signing
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 17:47 — James_I would think this signing means Babchuk is out. Kaberle is all but bought out now, and Rutherford implied he wants to trade a forward for a d-man now.
Alberts reminds me of Commodore- big physical, and will lay the body, good in the defensive zone but can be beat by quick forwards due to the lack of agility that comes with having a large frame.
Babchuk and Alberts
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 17:26 — abramsdougI would like to think that the Hurricanes could find a reasonable resolution with Babchuk and that they would be able to sign both Babchuk and Alberts. I'll remain cautiously optimistic until proven otherwise. Alberts seems like a great find for the Hurricanes.
Seid's>Bab's
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 17:43 — GoShelfI think at this point I'd rather have Seidenburg, we have enough offense on our back-line. The first job of an NHL dman is keeping the puck out of the net, clearly Seidenburg is a better defensemen, so I don't see much need in re-signing Babchuk.
Seidenberg and Babchuk
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:02 — abramsdougI agree. It seems highly unlikely that Babchuk will be re-signed and a trade appears to be the likely result. Things in the NHL can change rapidly; but given Babchuk's previous behavior, I would think there is about a 90% chance Babchuk will be traded, if another team is willing to make a trade, or Babchuk will play in Russia. It's a foolish decision by Babchuk. He'd make far more money next year simply by playing this year for the $1,000,000.00 he's been offered.
Now we talkin'
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 17:25 — CanesGo6-foot-5 and 218 pounds !
This is good per pound pricing.