Penguins sign Martin Skoula to One-Year Contract

From the Penguins: The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Martin Skoula to a one-year contract, it was announced by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero. Financial terms were not disclosed. Skoula adds nine years of NHL experience, including a Stanley Cup championship in 2001 with Colorado, to the Penguins’ roster. He has played in 724 career games and 79 playoff contests during stints in Colorado, Anaheim, Dallas and Minnesota. Skoula, 29, has posted career totals of 41 goals, 144 assists, 185 points and a plus-13 rating, as well as 14 post-season points (1G-13A). The reliable blueliner has appeared in at least 78 games in each of his nine seasons. Skoula broke into the league in 1999, seeing action in 80 regular-season games and 17 post-season matchups at just 19 years old after the Avalanche selected him in the first round (17th overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. At the age of 20, Skoula totaled 25 points (8G-17A) in 82 games and five points (1G-4A) in 23 post-season games to help Colorado capture the Stanley Cup title in 2001.  The Litomerice, Czech Republic native played the last three-plus seasons with Minnesota.