Flames Sign Corey Potter

With just two weeks until the opening of main camp, the Calgary Flames made a minor move, signing defenseman Corey Potter to a one-year, two-way deal.

Potter, 30, fits a specific role for the franchise, in that he’s 6’3″ and 205 pounds. Oh, and he’s been yo-yoing between the NHL and AHL since he turned pro in 2006, so it’s not like he’ll complain about it. At his age, Potter is what he is – a dependable veteran depth guy. He’s a bigger Derek Smith with slightly less scoring punch.

Potter’s played 123 NHL contests with the Rangers, Penguins, Oilers and Bruins. He’s also played 327 AHL games with the Charlotte Checkers, Hartford Wolf Pack, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Oklahoma City Barons. He played four years of college with the Michigan State Spartans.

He’s big. He’s (probably) cheap. He’ll probably clear waivers if he doesn’t make the NHL club as a #7 defender. He’ll be perfectly content sitting in the press box in Calgary or being a good veteran leader in Adirondack.

This is a very low-risk, pretty smart signing. Financial terms weren’t immediately available, but I cannot fathom this move breaking the bank.