Sabres sign DiPenta

July 12, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

The phrase earth shattering will never be associated with Buffalo GM Darcy Regier. Today, he signed free agent defenseman Joe DiPenta. Really?

That’s the Sabres in a nutshell. DiPenta, 30, played last season overseas totaling six points for Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League. His last NHL team was Anaheim where he was used as a depth defenseman, helping the Ducks win a Stanley Cup in 2006-07.

Prior to a three-year stint in Southern California, he only played three NHL games all with Atlanta in 2002-03. In fact, the former Panthers’ 1998 third rounder bounced around the league (Fla, Phi, Atl, Van, Ana) before earning a spot with Anaheim where he played 171 of 174 career games. He’s 6-17-23 with 110 penalty minutes and a plus-15.

Now, DiPenta returns to the NHL where he’ll likely play a minor role on a Buffalo team that has Henrik Tallinder, Toni Lydman, Craig Rivet, Steve Montador and Nathan Paetsch. Buffalo must also re-sign RFA Andrej Sekera. He could get competition from Chris Butler, Mike Weber and Marc-Andre Gragnani.

DiPenta’s signing spells the end for veteran Teppo Numminen, who’s had an outstanding 20-year career with Winnipeg/Phoenix, Dallas and Buffalo. He signed with the Sabres following the lockout providing leadership along with his usual steady play. After missing almost all of 2007-08 due to heart surgery, he returned last season getting into 57 games while posting two goals and 15 assists for 17 points.

If it’s the end, Numminen finishes with 1,372 games tallying 117 goals and 520 assists for 637 points with a respectable plus-56 rating. Over that span, the Finn only had 513 penalty minutes never racking up more than 36 in any season. Tremendous considering how many big minutes he logged. He was always reliable and could contribute offensively posting seven seasons of 40-or-more points topping 50 twice including a career best 54 in 1995-96 with the Jets.

Might he one day make the Hockey Hall Of Fame? Looking at how consistent he was, he should at least get consideration. Numminen turned 41 earlier this month. He can probably still help a team who needs a veteran. So can ageless wonder Chris Chelios along with former Ranger blueliners Sergei Zubov and Mathieu Schneider.

Buffalo signs Ellis: Yesterday, the Sabres also signed forward Matt Ellis to a one-year deal. In 45 games last season for Buffalo, he set new career highs with seven goals, five assists and 12 points including a career best three-point game versus Boston on Jan.3.

In 115 career NHL games with Detroit, LA and Buffalo, Ellis has totaled 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points.