Penguins Sign Jeff Taffe and John Curry

[FightingIsGood]

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed center Jeff Taffe and goaltender John Curry to two-year contracts, it was announced Friday by Assistant General Manager Chuck Fletcher.

Taffe, 26, played 17 games with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2006-07 season and registered six points (4 goals, 2 assists). He made his NHL debut with Phoenix in the 2002-03 season playing 20 games and scoring four points (3 goals, 1assist). Taffe has played a total of 100 NHL games and tallied 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists).

The 6-3, 207-pound native of Hastings, Minnesota, began his professional career after spending three seasons at the University of Minnesota. During 43 games of the 2001-02 season, he ranked second in the nation in goals (34) and fifth in points (58). He also helped lead Minnesota to the 2002 NCAA Championship.

Taffe has played a total of 168 games in the American Hockey League (AHL), scoring 118 points (53 goals, 64 assists). During his first AHL season in 2002-03, he tallied 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) in 57 games with the Springfield Falcons. He led the club in scoring and was named to the 2003 AHL All-Star Game. Taffe was originally selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round (30th overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Curry, 23, played 36 games in net for Boston University during the 2006-07 season. He stopped 928 shots and posted a save percentage of .928, which ranked sixth in the nation. Curry was the leader in shutouts last season with seven and ranked fourth in the nation with a goals-against average of 2.01.

The 5-11, 185-pound native of Shorewood, Minnesota, was one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which annually honors the best player in college hockey. He was the winner of the Walter Brown Award, given to the best American-born Division I college hockey player in New England, in addition to claiming New England MVP honors.

Curry played in 107 career games with the Boston Terriers recording 2,606 saves and 13 shutouts. He finished his NCAA career with a save percentage of .923 and a goals-against average of 2.07.

[Bigman]

He should challenge for a roster spot. The Penguins could use a guy like him to fill out their roster.

[R.Middleton]

Taffe got a lot of chances to make the Coyote's roster and never did. That says something....

[Snipes19]

Originally Posted by Bigman

He should challenge for a roster spot. The Penguins could use a guy like him to fill out their roster.

If he can't make the Coyotes roster then how the hell would he make the Penguins roster? The Penguins are loaded with some of the best forwards in the league, so sorry buddy, but there's no roster space available for Taffe.

Jeff Taffe is a minor league player, and that's where he will be -- in the AHL. Not a huge signing here.

[avoidlloyd]

It's the typical, take a chance on a first round bust. See if the change of scenery does anything. I'm thinking, hell no. I've never seen the guy play, so I could be talking out of my a$$. The Pens have done this before with not much success. Wasn't the last first round bust they took a flier on was Dan Lacouture? Or maybe Jackman? Dunno.

[bengino]

he has had plenty of chances and hasn't been able to step up... so i think he will be more then likely in Wilkes-Barre.

[Orr=God]

jeff taffe is a joke. why is he still getting chances everyone knows hes a bust. i would be very surprised if he makes the pens roster and frankly i dont even think he has a shot.