Nov 13, 2011; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; New York Islanders forward Jay Pandolfo (29) and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo (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.

February 7, 2012; Philadelphia, PA USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier (14) is checked by New York Islanders left wing Jay Pandolfo (29) during the 3rd period of game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Islanders defeated the Flyers 1-0, winning the shootout, 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

He’s been with the Boston Bruins since their shortened training camp on a pro-tryout basis and it appears to have finally paid off.

38-year old, Jay Pandolfo, signed a one-year deal with a pro-rated value of $600,000 at the NHL level and $350,000 in the AHL according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie. Pandolfo still needs to clear waivers before he can join the Bruins.

Pandolfo is a local boy who was born in Winchester, MA and even attended Boston University for 4 seasons where he compiled 72 goals and 88 assists for a very respectable 160 points.

Although his offensive numbers were pretty good in college, it didn’t fully translate to the NHL where over his 14-year career he never scored more than 13 goals. Also, in those 14 NHL seasons, Pandolfo has scored a total of 100 goals and registered 126 assists.

He is known for being a very smart and defensive-minded forward who often drew comparisons to former Bruin, P.J. Axelsson, for his ability to kill penalties and take care of business in the defensive end.

I like the addition of Pandolfo and I doubt he sees much playing time. B’s head coach Claude Julien loves defensive forwards and players that are responsible in their own end, Pandolfo is just that. He’s also another veteran presence in the locker room and he knows what it takes to stay fresh to be ready if/when his time comes. Did I mention his contract is pretty cheap?

Now that the B’s have dealt Tim Thomas and shored up their already impressive penalty kill while adding a little depth upfront, maybe the time is now for Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli and company to make a move for a forward who can get that anemic power play going. Just a thought.

Oct 8, 2011; Uniondale, NY, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Jose Theodore (60) drops down as defenseman Brian Campbell (left) and New York Islanders right wing Jay Pandolfo (29) wait for the deflection during the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

During the 2012-13 Training Camp, the Bruins signed Jay Pandolfo to a PTO (Professional Tryout Contract). Pandolfo is still under his PTO with the Bruins and traveled with the team to Buffalo for practice before the game Sunday. The question that is hanging in my mind is, will the Bruins do anything with Pandolfo?

I said before in an article about  Jay that he played under Claude Julien before as a member of the New Jersey Devils and his defensive play almost won him a Frank J. Selke trophy in 2006-07. Pandolfo plays very much like former Bruin PJ Axelsson and having another defensive minded winger in the system would not be bad for the Bruins. While the penalty kill has been tremendous for the Bruins as of late, shorthanded production could be improved.

Pandolfo could be a press-box warmer if the Bruins do sign him and could easily be slotted in on the third or fourth line incase of injury. The Providence line that played against Montreal looked strong, but having a veteran winger to replace a man down would be a much better fit for Boston.

Pandolfo is still skating with the B’s (which is obviously a good sign) and I do think Claude Julien really wants him signed. Couple that with Tim Thomas being traded to the Islanders and opening up 5 Million in salary (which many people are think is opening up space for Jarome Iginla), Pandolfo might be suiting up for the Bruins before the season is over.