Panthers Sign Zednik for Two Years, McLean for Three

[JKidd]

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager and Head Coach Jacques Martin announced today that the club has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with LW Richard Zednik and a a three-year contract with C Brett McLean.

Zednik, 31, has played in 621 career NHL games for Washington (1995-01, 2006-07), Montreal (2001-2004), NY Islanders (2007), recording 320 points (168-152-320). For his NHL career, Zednik has appeared in 48 postseason contests scoring 16 goals with 10 assists. Last season, while playing for both Washington and the NY Islanders he tallied 21 points (7-14-21) in 42 games played. He scored 20 goals three times for the Canadiens, including a career-high 31 in 2002-03.

“Richard is a hard working forward who possesses exceptional speed and a scoring touch,” said Martin. “He can play at left or right wing and will complement our nucleus of forwards very well. Additionally, he is a clutch player who has performed very well in postseason competition. He will be counted on as we look to bring continued stability and success to the Panthers organization.”

The Banska Bystrica, Slovakia native has represented his native country in seven international competitions that include one Olympics, three world championships, two World Cups of Hockey and one World Junior Championship.

Zednik was drafted by Washington with their tenth choice (249th overall) in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

McLean, 28, posted career-high marks last season in goals (15), plus/minus (+8) and game-winning goals (3). He also notched 20 assists in 78 games while playing for the Colorado Avalanche last season. McLean recorded all 15 of his goals while playing at even strength and he went two for three in shootouts with a game-winner. The Comox, British Colombia native has appeared in 238 NHL games with 106 points (35-71-106), throughout his four year career while playing for both Chicago (2002-04) and Colorado (2005-07).

“Brett is a gritty, tough and competitive power forward who will make an immediate impact in our line-up,” Martin said. “He is a high character and versatile player who gives us more depth at the forward position. Brett perfectly fits the mold of a Panthers player who we are confident will contribute to this organization in both his on and off-ice efforts.”

McLean was drafted by Dallas with their ninth choice (242nd overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

[forsberg21]

McLean is probably being overpaid a little, hes really the product of the team around him. but hes worh while. Zednik was decent too.

[bengino]

McLean gets more then Zednik? ok, sure it was a bad year for him, but damn.

[Isles4life]

Wow that's a lot for McLean. Have fun with Zednik, he's worthless.

[IslesFan92]

I thought Zednik was going to be a good pickup for us last year but he didnt do a thing. And he left at one point and didnt come back for a while and I forgot he was on the team.

[BrianTheAdsFan]

If Zednik bounces back he'll be a good pickup. McLean is pretty decent.