Florida Panthers sign Shawn Thornton to two-year deal

The Florida Panthers continued to add to their roster, and eat up cap space, by signing enforcer-type Shawn Thornton to a two-year, $2.4 million contract.

The 36-year-old Thornton has spent the last seven season with the Boston Bruins and brings grit, experience and two Stanley Cup rings to South Florida. His best season was in 2009-10 when scored 10 goals and 10 assists in 79 games. The Oshawa, ON native has racked up 906 career PIM.

I'm a bit flummoxed by this signing. Yes, I know the Panthers are always short on toughness, but bringing in a 36-year-old to take up a spot on the fourth-line doesn't seem like the best of ideas. Let's hope Thornton has enough gas left in the tank to warrant bringing him in. Tallon loves his old Blackhawks, eh?