Foster signs free-agent deal with Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers admit that they need help on the blue line and took a significant step in that process Sunday, signing free agent Kurtis Foster.

Foster, 31, has been in the NHL for 11 seasons and has 41 goals and 114 assists to go along with 283 penalty minutes in 382 games.

Last season, Foster played for three NHL teams. He started the season with Anaheim, but was traded to New Jersey and then moved to Minnesota. He finished the season with four goals and 14 points in 51 games.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound defenseman played for Finnish club Tappara during the lockout, scoring three goals and three assists in 13 games.

Foster, who made his debut with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2003, has also had stops in Tampa Bay and Edmonton.