PITTSBURGH - The
Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed defenseman
Brooks Orpik to a two-year contract and signed free agent defenseman
Matt Carkner to a one-year deal, it was announced Sunday by General Manager Ray Shero. Orpik’s arbitration hearing had been scheduled for July 24.
Orpik, 25, recorded nine points (2+7) and 124 penalty minutes in 64 games with the Penguins during the 2005-06 season, his second full NHL season. Orpik led the team in hits (203) and blocked shots (122) and improved his plus/minus by 33 points from his rookie season in 2003-04 (-36) to the 2005-06 season (-3).
The 6-2 and 228-pound native of San Francisco, California has played in 149 NHL games, all with the Penguins, recording 19 points (3+16) and 253 penalty minutes.
Orpik was drafted by the Penguins in the first round (18th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
Carkner, 25, appeared in 69 games with the Cleveland Barons of the American Hockey League during the 2005-06 season, tallying 31 points (10+21) and 202 penalty minutes. He set new career highs in goals (10), assists (21) and points (31), despite only playing in 69 games.
The 6-4 and 235 pound defenseman has appeared in 315 games for the Barons since 2001, recording 62 points (13+49) and 948 penalty minutes. He ranks first all-time on Cleveland’s games played list and was the team’s all-time leader in penalty minutes as well.
The native of Winchester, Ontario was originally selected in the second round (58th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. The
San Jose Sharks signed Carkner as a free agent on June 7, 2001.