Coyotes Sign Owen Nolan to One-Year Contract

[penguinsfan1]

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Michael Barnett announced today that the Coyotes have signed right wing Owen Nolan to a one-year contract.

Nolan, a five-time NHL All-Star, has registered 349 goals, 386 assists, and 735 points in 915 career NHL games with Quebec, Colorado, San Jose, and Toronto. He has also played in 58 playoff games, collecting 18-17-35. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound right wing has scored 30-or-more goals six times in his career and 40-or-more goals twice (1991-92 and 1999-2000). Most recently, Nolan scored 19 goals in 2003-04 with Toronto and 29 goals in 2002-03 with San Jose and Toronto.

“A healthy Owen Nolan can help our hockey club,” said Barnett. “After considerable due diligence, we’ve found his injuries to be well healed. He’s fit, focused and anxious to get back battling on NHL ice.”

The 34-year-old native of Belfast, Ireland has recorded 60-or-more points six times in his career and registered three 70-plus point seasons (1991-92, 1992-93 and 1999-2000). His best season came in 1999-2000 when he set career highs in goals (44), assists (40) and points (84) in 78 games with San Jose. Nolan is the Sharks’ all-time leader in goals (206), assists (245), and points (451).

“Owen is one of the league’s premier power forwards,” said Coyotes managing partner/head coach Wayne Gretzky. “His size, strength, goal-scoring ability and leadership will be a big asset to our team.”

In his last season with Toronto (2003-04), Nolan ranked tied for second in the NHL in game tying goals. He also finished first on the Leafs in shorthanded goals (2), tied for first in game tying goals, first in multiple goal games (6), tied for second in shorthanded points, second in multiple point games (12), third in penalty minutes (110), third among team forwards in average ice time (17:56), fourth in assists (29), fourth in game winning goals (3), fourth in shots (154), fifth in goals (19) and tied for fifth in points (48).

In 2002, Nolan helped lead Team Canada to a Gold Medal at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Nolan finished the tournament with three assists in six games. He has also played in five NHL All-Star Games (1991-92, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1999-2000 and 2001-02).

Nolan was originally drafted by the Quebec Nordiques (1st choice overall) in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.

[BGDDYKWL]

Good to see it's official. Word is the contract is for $1-1.25 mil. Great signing by the Yotes, especially for that price. I can't wait to watch this team all year.

[Podollan]

This sucks. Why Phoenix?

[JKidd]

Wonder what kind of playing shape he'll be in. He hasnt played in a very long time...

[jay miller fan]

Good player and tough as nails but Gretz calling him one of the premier power forwards in the game is a stretch. Hasn't played an NHL game in over 2 years and the game has changed a lot since he's been out. I don't see him putting up Iginla or Shanahan-type numbers. But Phoenix is looking like a good club so maybe.

[wellzy]

coyotes are getting better every week it seems. wonder if him and doan will be on a line.

[mongoose]

Originally Posted by jkidd

Wonder what kind of playing shape he'll be in. He hasnt played in a very long time...

i was thinking the same thing.

[doaner]

Originally Posted by wellst

coyotes are getting better every week it seems. wonder if him and doan will be on a line.

Be nice to see doaner, comrie and nolan on a line together.

[canuck2]

Gretzky has a tendency to hype a player a bit too much. Every player the coyotes have obtained Gretzky has gone a bit overboard.

I remember last year how he sang the praises of Jamie Lundmark. Couple of weeks later he was traded.

I am not expecting much from Nolan but the coyotes will sure have some interesting dynamics if anything once the season starts.

[Mike Kole]

The press release said it all- "a healthy Owen Nolan can help our club".

That was often true in San Jose, and always true in Toronto. When he's healthy, Nolan's a tank.

[HordiBrusk29]

For the price it's totally worth the gamble. He gives the Coyotes another scoring threat which was exactly what they needed. Now they are pretty much ready to start the season.