Flyers re-signs D Kukkonen to two-year deal

May 17, 2007 - 8:24 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday re-signed defenseman Lasse Kukkonen to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Kukkonen, 25, appeared in 20 games with the Flyers last season after being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks for Kyle Calder on February 26, 2007.

"We felt that Lasse was a nice addition to our team when we acquired him in February," Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. "He showed that he can move the puck extremely well and that he is a really steady defender. We look forward to him being part of our defense for the next two seasons."

Although he failed to record a point with Philadelphia, Kukkonen finished with five goals and 14 points in 74 games last season. He did lead all NHL rookie defensemen in blocked shots with 151.

A fifth-round pick of the Blackhawks in 2003, the native of Finland has five goals and 15 points in 84 career games.