Predators Re-Sign Forward Jessiman

The Nashville Predators announced on Tuesday that they have re-signed right wing High Jessiman to a one-year, two-way contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been eligible for free agency this summer. The Predators acquired Jessiman from the New York Rangers in October in exchange for future considerations. He didn't see any time with the Predators this season, spending most of it with their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee. In 67 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, Jessiman scored 20 goals and seven assists for 27 points. He has yet to play in an NHL game. With the Predators still watching their spending, this is likely just a depth signing for the team. However, his 20 goals at the AHL level has likely impressed management and he will likely get a shot at making the team at training camp this fall, though if he makes the team, he will probably be little more than a fourth line forward.

Red Wings Sign Franzen to 11-Year Contract

The Detroit Red Wings have locked up another important part of their team by signing left wing Johan Franzen to a whopping 11-year contract worth $43.45 million. The deal averages out to $3.95 million per season in what is being called a salary cap-friendly contract. This is the second big contract the Red Wings have given out to one of their star players this season, having re-signed Henrik Zetterberg to a 12-year contract back in January. Both Zetterberg and Franzen would have been unrestricted free agents on July 1. In 71 games this season, Franzen scored 34 goals and 25 assists for 59 points for the defending Stanley Cup champions, also a career season for the 29-year-old forward. This is an excellent signing for the Red Wings, as Franzen has developed into one of their top goal scorers over the past two seasons. He brings lots of goal-scoring ability to the team, as well as some grittiness. Signing him to an 11-year contract is a bit risky if his offensive stats begin to decline in a few years, but his $3.95 million per season is a bargain compared to the $5 million it was expected he could have earned via free agency. With Zetterberg and Franzen now under contract, the Red Wings are focusing their efforts on re-signing impending free agent Marian Hossa. With the Red Wings already pushing close to the salary cap for next season, it will be difficult for the Red Wings to re-sign Hossa and still try to re-sign Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson, who are also free agents this summer. The Red Wings are a team that's committed to winning and many of the players on the team have accepted less than market value to play for them, so it is possible they could re-sign Hossa for less, but it could come at the expense of sacrificing depth to other areas of the team, particularly their struggling goaltending.

Flames Sign Moss to 3-Year Extension

The Calgary Flames have announced that they have signed right wing David Moss to a three-year contract extension worth $3.9 million. The deal averages out to $1.3 million per season. He would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 81 games this season with the Flames, Moss had 20 goals and 19 assists for 39 points, a career season for the 27-year-old forward. In three seasons with the Flames, he has played in 163 games, scoring 34 goals and 34 assists for 68 points. This is a decent signing by the Flames, as Moss improved his game in nearly every area this season. He gives the team skill on the power play, evident from his eight power play goals this season, and another legitimate 20-goal scorer. He's a bargain at $1.3 million per season and could have easily gotten more on the open market. Moss will likely be an important part of the Flames power play over the next three seasons and could likely he his offensive numbers increase.

Islanders Sign Weight to One-Year Extension

The New York Islanders have announced that they have signed center Doug Weight to a one-year contract extension worth $2 million. The 38-year-old forward has played in 51 games this season, scoring nine goals and 27 assists for 36 points with the Islanders. He signed as a free agent with the team last summer. Weight has battled injuries all season, recently missing 19 games due to an MCL sprain, while missing seven games in January with a leg injury and three games in December with a groin injury. In 1182 career games, he has 274 goals and 731 assists for 1005 points with the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, and New York Islanders. He won his first Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006. This is a good signing for the Islanders, as Weight was one of the few bright spots on a team that struggled all season. He brings lots of veteran experience and leadership, as well as offensive depth, to the young Islanders team. Weight could be a good mentor for some of the younger players on the Islanders next season, such as Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey.

Bruins Sign Goaltender Thomas to Four-Year Extension

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Tim Thomas to a four-year contract extension worth $20 million. The deal averages out to $5 million per season. He would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Thomas has enjoyed a fine season as the Bruins' starting goaltender, posting a 34-11-7 record in 52 games so far this season with a league-leading GAA of 2.07 and a save percentage of .933, while also playing in the 2009 & 2008 all-star games. He has played his entire career with the Bruins and previously played in Finland before heading to the NHL prior to the 2002-03 season. This is an excellent signing for the Bruins as Thomas has steadily improved his play over the past few seasons. Many hockey pundits and followers believe Thomas' stellar play this season will earn him the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender and has also helped the Bruins reach the 50 win plateau since the 1992-93 season. With both Thomas and backup Manny Fernandez set to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, Thomas was the obvious choice for the Bruins to re-sign as their starting goalie for next season and beyond, which will likely make prospect Tuukka Rask the backup for the 2009-10 season. His fine goaltending skills this season could help the team advance deep in the playoffs in the coming months. The only roadblock the Bruins may run into with Thomas' contract is that it may be difficult for them to re-sign impending restricted free agents Phil Kessel, David Krejci, and Matt Hunwick. All three have played well this season and are due for decent raises, and with the team currently sitting $11 million under the salary cap for next season, may be forced to make a salary-dumping trade in order to re-sign these three players.