NHL lockout: Dustin Jeffrey signs with Dutch team

Pittsburgh Penguins center Dustin Jeffrey has signed with the Tilburg Trappers, a Dutch team in the Eredivisie, or top division, in the Netherlands, according to Shelly Anderson.

Jeffrey is the second Penguin to sign with a foreign team, joining Evgeni Malkin who is playing for his hometown Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Kontinenal Hockey League.

The Penguins selected Jeffrey in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL draft. In his first few seasons, the Ontario native bounced between Pittsburgh and their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre. Jeffrey is set to enter the second year of a two-year contract worth $1.15 million.

Last year, the center appeared in 26 games for the Penguins, scoring four goals. On his career, he has played in 66 games and notched 12 goals.

For a young player like Jeffrey, this is an excellent way to get additional experience. Not to mention, as Anderson points out, Jeffrey is likely in need of the paycheck.