NHL Wreckin' Ball back with Penguins

Mark Recchi has a three-year contract with the Penguins.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Seven-time NHL All-Star Mark Recchi signed a three-year contract Friday to return to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he started his professional career 16 years ago.
Recchi, 36, led the Philadelphia Flyers in goals, assists and points last season at the team made it to the Eastern Conference finals. A right wing, he scored more than 20 goals in each of the last five seasons.
Recchi's agent, Rick Curran, wouldn't provide details on the deal, nor would the Penguins. Curran said Recchi is "absolutely delighted" to be in Pittsburgh, where he has kept a home for several years.
"We're thrilled to bring a talent like that back," said general manager Craig Patrick, adding that Recchi would be a great example for younger Penguins.
Patrick said he lives about a mile from Recchi and knows his work habit and training routines.
"He plays with so much energy and fire every single night that I believe he is ... the best player at his age in the National Hockey League," Patrick said. "Not only is he a great player, but he's also has great person, a great character, a great leader for young people."
Unrestricted free agent
Recchi, known as "The Wrecking Ball" when he played for the Pens, became an unrestricted free agent July 1. Flyers general manager Bob Clarke had said he wouldn't attempt to sign Recchi until there was a collective bargaining agreement in place.
Patrick said he contacted Recchi on July 1, but Recchi wanted to check the market. In the end, "after a lot of scraping," Patrick said the team was able to offer an acceptable deal.
Recchi joined the NHL in 1988, playing with the Penguins until 1992. During that time, he had 252 points and led the team in scoring during the 1990-1991 regular season. In 24 playoff games that year, he had 34 points as the Penguins clinched their first Stanley Cup.
Recchi was later traded to the Flyers. He played for the Canadiens from 1995 to 1999, before being traded back to the Flyers that year.
Patrick said the team was still looking for other players, noting that some players in free agency weren't getting the big deals they were looking for, and that could play into the Penguins' hands.