2012 NHL Free Agents: Phoenix Coyotes Re-Sign Kyle Chipchura to One-Year Deal

The Phoenix Coyotes re-signed versatile center Kyle Chipchura to a one-year deal worth $675,000, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

The 26-year-old Chipchura is coming off of one of his best NHL seasons. He played in 53 games for the Coyotes last season, recording three goals and 13 assists for 16 points, and he had 42 penalty minutes. His 13 assists and 16 points were career highs.

The 6'2", 205-lb forward played on the Coyotes' third and fourth lines last year, and his physical presence was a welcome sign for the Coyotes.

Coyotes GM Don Maloney expressed his satisfaction with the signing.

“Kyle is a hard-working, versatile forward who brings toughness and grit to our lineup," Maloney said, as reported by The Republic. "We are happy to have him back.”

Chipchura has played in 216 NHL games in his career with Montreal, Anaheim and Phoenix, amassing 44 points and 161 penalty minutes.

The best part of this deal for the Coyotes is the salary. Chipchura rejoined the Coyotes for a minimal raise over what he was paid the previous season. The $125,000 raise was well deserved and the Coyotes did very well retaining his services for this amount.