NHL Uses the "Buddy System"

It isn't any more obvious that the one trend in this frenzied off season that the NHL is allowing some veteran players to sign on to teams where they are comfortable playing with familiar teammates.

Such is the case with Free Agent Winger John LeClair, who some feel may have been disrespectful by the Flyers in a salary dump, signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"John is a big strong winger who is a proven and consistently productive goal-scorer," [GM Craig] Patrick said. "His presence further strengthens the group of forwards we're assembling here in Pittsburgh."

Of course, the lure to Pittsburgh LeClair found was the chance to play again with former Flyer Mark Recchi.

Recchi and LeClair's careers once again cross paths when they were traded for one another in Feb. 1995, but found each other as teammates when Recchi joined the Flyers again in 1998.

Understanding that LeClair's health may be the measuring stick as to how far he goes this season, the Penguins are hoping that he is able to play for them the way he has while wearing the orange and black.

[Via: Yahoo! Sports]