V. Orzagh signed by basement Blues

Blues swoop in for Orszagh

Sportsnet.ca -- The basement-dwelling St. Louis Blues have picked up Vladimir Orszagh off of waivers, Sportsnet has learned, a day after the forward was signed by the Phoenix Coyotes.

Orszagh, who has been playing in Sweden since the lockout, had to clear waivers as a member of the Coyotes, meaning another team could swoop in to claim the right winger. Enter the Blues, who sport the worst record in the NHL at 9-22-4 with 22 points. He is expected to join the club sometime during the next seven days, once the immigration process is completed.

Phoenix had signed Orszagh to a deal reportedly worth $625,000. He's played 82 games for Nashville in 2003-04, scoring 16 goals and adding 21 assists.

"Vladimir is the type of player who can excel in many different situations, including at both wing positions," Blues genearl manager Larry Pleau said. WWe are excited to add him to our organization, and I anticipate that he will make a strong contribution to the Blues for the next couple of years as a solid forward."

Orszagh played the 2004-05 season with Zvolen KHK of the Slovak League, collecting 30 points (16 goals, 14 assists) in 37 games. The Banska Bystrica, Slovakia native played with the Nashville Predators from 2001 to 2004. He set career highs in the 2003-04 season with Nashville in points (37), assists (21), goals (16) and games played (82). He has appeared in 273 career NHL games, amassing 110 points (50 goals, 60 assists) along with 180 penalty minutes.

The 5-11, 195-pound forward began his NHL career with the New York Islanders in 1997-98. He was originally the Islanders' fifth-round selection, 106th overall, in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.