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Flyers sign right winger Aaron Palushaj

Another day, another player bolting from the KHL. The Flyers signed free agent right wing Aaron Palushaj to a deal on Thursday.

THE FLYERS signed free-agent right wing Aaron Palushaj to a one-year deal yesterday, with the hope that he can parlay a successful season in the world's second-best league into to a full-time NHL depth position.

According to a source, Palushaj's deal is a two-way (NHL/AHL) contract that will pay him $575,000 in the NHL and $225,000 in the AHL.

Palushaj, 25, is an American who spent the last season playing in Russia's KHL, scoring 21 points in 53 games. A precipitous drop in the Russian ruble last December halved the value of most contracts, making guaranteed American money a lot more attractive to players, especially those who hail from North America.

Palushaj, pronounced PUH-loo-SHY, was drafted in the second round (44th overall) by St. Louis in 2007. The Michigan native starred for two seasons at the University of Michigan - and represented Team USA at the World Junior Championships in 2009 - before leaving school to turn pro. He played 68 NHL games with the Canadiens, Avalanche and Hurricanes over parts of five seasons until signing in Russia.

Palushaj proved to be a reliable and productive player at the AHL level (with 194 points in 258 games) but didn't get as much an opportunity or role in his brief stays in the NHL.

His biggest asset is speed, a trait desperately needed on the Flyers, and one new coach Dave Hakstol craves. Palushaj is also strong in shootouts. During his AHL career, Palushaj went 12-for-28 (.40) in shootout attempts, a figure topped on the Flyers by only Claude Giroux.

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