Clemmensen Staying With Panthers
SUNRISE (AP) — Goaltender Scott Clemmensen is staying with the Florida Panthers, and defenseman Filip Kuba is returning after more than a decade away.
The Panthers announced a two-year extension for Clemmensen on Sunday, their first official move in the NHL's free agency period. Not long afterward, the team announced another two-year deal with Kuba — a 1995 draft pick by Florida who last played for the Panthers on Jan. 6, 2000.
Clemmensen was 14-6-6 in 30 regular-season appearances last season for the Southeast Division champions, and was 1-2 with a 2.35 goals-against average in the playoffs against New Jersey.
"Scott is a high-character, hard-working player who is a true professional in every sense," Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. "He stepped in and played very well in some tough games for us last season. ... We are very pleased to have him back with our club."
Clemmensen will be entering his fourth year with the Panthers this fall.
Kuba was an eighth-round pick by the Panthers 17 years ago. He was traded to Calgary in March 2000, then claimed in the expansion draft by Minnesota three months later. Kuba played five seasons with the Wild, two more with Tampa Bay and the last four with Ottawa.
He has 69 goals and 254 assists in 792 NHL games.
"Filip is an experienced player who adds further depth to our blue line," Tallon said. "He is a big, strong and responsible, shutdown defenseman who averaged more than 23 minutes of ice time per game last season. We are confident that he will fit very well into our top six and help our power play."
Also Sunday, the Panthers announced one-year, two-way contracts with center Greg Rallo and goaltender Dov Grumet-Morris. Both were with Florida's AHL club in San Antonio last season.
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