Panthers Sign Goalie Burke

The Florida Panthers, hoping to fill a void left by the loss of John Vanbiesbrouck, have signed free-agent goaltender Sean Burke.

The Panthers announced on Friday that they have signed the much-traveled Burke, but would not release details until a news conference on Saturday.

The Miami Herald in its Saturday editions said that NHL sources estimated the deal to be worth $4.3 million.

Vanbiesbrouck, the Panthers' top goaltender since they came into the league in 1993, signed with the Philadelphia Flyers earlier this summer.

Burke made $2.5 million with Carolina, Vancouver and Philadelphia last season. Burke turned down a three-year, $10-million offer from Carolina last year. He was asking for $4 million per year.

"This guy, when he plays well, is a very good goaltender," Panthers general manager Bryan Murray said of Burke. "He's a big guy, 6-4, 210 pounds, takes up a lot of space, and he's quick. He's played on some not-great hockey teams in the past, but we've always had him rated fairly high."

Last season, Burke had a 7-11-5 record before Carolina traded him to Vancouver, where he was 2-9-4. Philadelphia, looking for a goalie upgrade entering the playoffs, obtained Burke from Vancouver.

Burke had a 7-3 record for the Flyers before Philadelphia lost to Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs.

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