NEW YORK (AP) – Add Sean Hill to the ever-changing New York Islanders’ defense corps.

Hill, who spent last season with the Florida Panthers after a three-year stint with Carolina, received a one-year deal worth $600,000 from the Islanders on Tuesday.

He joins a revamped blue line that also added hard-hitting Brendan Witt and offensive-minded Tom Poti earlier in the free-agent signing period.

New Islanders general manager Garth Snow spoke to the 36-year-old Hill the past two weeks and convinced him to come to New York.

“We felt he would be an excellent addition,” Snow said. “He has been a very good defenseman in our league for a long time, a consistent player in all zones, a strong competitor and a leader.”

The Islanders now boast a veteran defense that will be anchored by Alexei Zhitnik – last season’s big free-agent acquisition – Witt, Hill and Poti. New York also has youngsters Chris Campoli, who had nine goals and 25 assists during his rookie season, and top prospect Bruno Gervais.

Hill had two goals, 18 assists and was a plus-3 in 78 games with Florida last season. He enjoyed his best offensive years with Carolina over two stints.

The 6-foot, 205-pound Hill had 13 goals and 31 assists for a career-best 44 points during the 1999-2000 season, despite playing only 62 games. In the season before the lockout, Hill matched his high of 13 goals and added 26 assists in 80 games.

Hill was selected by Montreal with the 167th pick in the 1988 draft and played with the Canadiens in the 1991 and 1992 playoffs – winning a Stanley Cup ring during his rookie year – before he ever dressed for an NHL regular-season game.

He got into 31 games during the 1992-93 season before being claimed by Anaheim in the expansion draft.

Hill played one year with the Mighty Ducks and then moved on to Ottawa, where he spent four seasons. He was traded to Carolina in November 1997 and then signed with St. Louis three years later.

The 12-year veteran, who was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic hockey team, returned to Carolina in December 2001. In 760 NHL regular-season games, Hill has netted 59 goals and 205 assists.