Senators Sign Drew Bannister

The Ottawa Senators announced today that they have signed free-agent defenceman Drew Bannister to a one-year, two-way deal.

The 35-year old Bannister spent the past seven years playing in Europe, and prior to that was in North America with a number of different franchises: Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. In 164 career NHL  games, he amassed 25 points and 161 penalty minutes. Bannister was drafted by the Lightning in the second round (26th overall) of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.

Obviously, this is a depth signing. Ottawa doesn't have room for another bottom pairing defenceman, but Binghamton could likely use a solid, experienced veteran like Bannister.