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Veteran UFA squeeze continues as Lapierre signs in Sweden

Pittsburgh Penguins v New York Rangers - Game Two

Pittsburgh Penguins v New York Rangers - Game Two

Bruce Bennett

Earlier today, we passed along word that 32-year-old Marcel Goc -- a veteran of over 600 NHL contests -- signed in the German League.

Now, another vet is taking his game overseas.

Maxim Lapierre, also with over 600 games on his resume, has signed with Modo of the Swedish Hockey League, per TVA. It’s a one-year deal with a second year option, and also has an out clause should Lapierre land an NHL contract in the next 15 days.

Lapierre, 30, split last season between Pittsburgh and St. Louis (he was traded for Goc, ironically enough). A known agitator, he finished the year with 11 points in 80 games, and appeared in all five games of the Pens’ opening-round playoff loss to the Rangers.

Prior to his time in Pittsburgh and St. Louis, “Yappy Lappy” played in Montreal, Anaheim and Vancouver. His best season came in 2009-10, when he scored a career-high 15 goals and 28 points, earning a handful of Selke votes.

It stands to reason that, given what we’ve seen recently, more veteran skaters will either be forced to take overseas gigs like Lapierre and Goc have, or wait for training camp PTOs.

The likes of Curtis Glencross, Brad Boyes, Lee Stempniak and Marek Zidlicky are all still without contracts.