The Vancouver Canucks answered the question of who will back up goaltender Roberto Luongo next season, signing former Colorado Avalanche netminder Andrew Raycroft.
Financial terms weren't immediately available but I'm guessing it's probably a one-year contract.
Raycroft, 29, is a former NHL Rookie of the Year whose stock has slipped considerably since his impressive debut back in 2003-04 with the Boston Bruins.
Injuries plagued him during the 2005-06 season and he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the summer of 2006. Despite playing in 72 games in 2006-07 and winning 37 games Raycroft was often made the scapegoat for that club's inability to make the playoffs.
He saw considerably less playing time the following season and was bought out by the Leafs in June 2008. The Avalanche signed him as an unrestricted free agent last July but had an unmemorable performance last season, appearing in 31 games, winning 12, posting a 3.14 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage.
Heading into this summer there was talk that Raycroft might not find another NHL team to sign with and could be forced to play next season in Europe.
This move by the Canucks also means they probably won't be using prospect goaltender Cory Schneider as Luongo's backup next season, which should probably spark speculation he'll be shopped.