The Bruins sign Jay Pandolfo to a 1 year contract for the remainder of the 2012-13 season, Placed on Waivers

Nov 13, 2011; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; New York Islanders forward

(29) and Vancouver Canucks defenseman

(6) chase a loose puck during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins have finally signed Jay Pandolfo to a one year contract for the remainder of the 2012-13 season. Pandolfo , who had been on a PTO contract with the Bruins since training camp, is not expected to play with the team against the Rangers. He was placed on waivers and is Providence bound to provide veteran presence with the P-Bruins and to give him some playing experience on the season.

Pandolfo signed obviously for bottom 6 depth brings a lot to the table in Boston. Like Mark Recchi and Brian Rolston before him, he brings in veteran leadership as well as Stanley Cup winning experience.  Pandolfo previously played for the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders before coming to Boston.

Pandolfo is a former Selke Finalist (2006-07) and won both of his Stanley Cups with New Jersey in 1999-2000 and 2002-03. This is more than likely Pandolfo’s final NHL season. Now 38 years old and playing since 1996, Pandolfo hasn’t had a “high production season” since 2007-08 and his defensive style of play is only gonna get him so far at 38. If and when he does play for Boston he will be wearing number 29 and probably take over duties on the penalty kill. But maybe playing alongside Chris Kelly , Rich Peverly, Chris Bourque, Daniel Paille, Gregory Campbell, or Shawn Thornton could instill new life into the aged forward very much like what happened with Brian Rolston during the 21 game stint he played in Boston at the end of the 2011-12 season. Rolston who hadn’t produced more than 20 goals since 2007-08 and was on a downward spiral after leaving Minnesota and an injury filled horror show in Long Island, Rolston would record 15 points in 21 games playing with Chris Kelly and Benoit Poliout. Given a full season Rolston probably would have produced 20 – 25 goals easy playing with Kelly and Peverly / Bourque now.

Pandolfo is on a two-way contract being paid 600,000 when he’s in Boston and 350,000 when in Providence.