Cullen signs with Penguins, reunites with Rutherford

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford knows precisely what veteran center Matt Cullen brings to the table.

After all, Rutherford held the same title with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 when Cullen aided the club in winning the Stanley Cup. With that in mind, the Penguins quickly signed the 38-year-old to a one-year deal worth $800,000 on Thursday.

Cullen is being reunited with Rutherford for the third time in his career, after having played under him with the Hurricanes in 2005-06 and again from 2007-10.

"Jim has had a huge impact on my career," Cullen said of Rutherford. "It's nice to go somewhere where there’s a familiarity and a comfort level."

Rutherford also shares that comfort level, as he already has a plan in place for Cullen.

"He'll play an important role on our fourth line in faceoffs, killing penalties, and he's also a player that’s capable on the short term of moving up into the top-nine if we need him."

Cullen scored seven goals and set up 18 others in 62 games with the Nashville Predators last season. He has recorded 219 tallies and 407 assists in 1,212 career contests with the then-Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild, Hurricanes and Predators.

(h/t Pittsburgh Penguins)