The Minnesota Wild have signed free agent winger Brian Rolston to a three-year contract worth $9.4 million US with a team option for a fourth season.
Rolston, 31, will make $3 million the first season, and $3.2 million in each of the last two seasons of the deal. He collected 48 points in 82 games with the Boston Bruins last season.
"I wanted to come to a place that loves hockey," he said. "We know that the fans here are spectacular."
Familiarity also helps. Rolston played on Wild coach Jacques Lemaire's Stanley Cup champion Devils as a rookie in 1994-95.
"Jacque is a big plus," he said. "I'm comfortable with the way he coaches. It's always a team concept, and I'm going to be happy to be a part of that team."
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound right wing led the NHL with seven shorthanded points and recorded 59 points in 81 contests with the Bruins during the 2002-03 campaign.
''Brian is a very versatile player that can play both offense and defense,'' said Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough. ''He can play all three forward positions and has a strong winning and team background. We are excited to have him join the Minnesota Wild and continue to develop our team.''
He has tallied 432 points and 223 penalty minutes in 736 career NHL games with the New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche and Boston. Rolston was a member of the 1995 Stanley Cup champion New Jersey team coached by current Wild head coach Jacques Lemaire. He was originally selected by the Devils in the first round (11th overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft.