Blues Sign Defensemen Richmond & Fletcher

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Danny Richmond and signed defenseman Justin Fletcher to contracts. Exact length and financial terms of their deals were not disclosed. Richmond was traded to the Blues from the Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2009 trade deadline for defenseman Andy Wozniewski. Richmond did not appear in any NHL games last season, instead playing in 73 AHL games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Peoria, scoring four goals and 18 assists for 22 points and 129 penalty minutes. He has appeared in 49 NHL games with the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks, scoring three assists and 75 penalty minutes. Fletcher did not play in any NHL games last season, instead playing in 68 AHL games with Peoria, scoring eight goals and 24 assists for 32 points and 50 penalty minutes. These are really just depth signings for the Blues. Richmond is a very physical blueliner, while Fletcher plays with a bit of offense to his game. Both players will likely spend most of next season in the minors given the team’s depth on defense.

Kings Re-Sign Defenseman Bagnall & Forward Purcell

The Los Angeles Kings have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Drew Bagnall and right wing Teddy Purcell to one-year contracts. Terms of both of their deals were not disclosed. Bagnall did not appear in any NHL games last season, instead playing in 79 games with the Kings’ AHL affiliate in Manchester, scoring six assists and 150 penalty minutes. Purcell appeared in 40 games with the Kings last season, scoring four goals and 12 assists for 16 points. He also played in 38 games with Manchester, scoring 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points. Bagnall is really nothing more than a depth signing for the Kings. He is a big, physical defenseman, but could have a hard time cracking the Kings’ lineup given the number of high-end defensive prospects they have. Purcell is not a bad signing for the Kings. He has the potential to become a scoring winger in the NHL, and if he can improve his production next season, he could get a contract extension from the Kings next summer.

Canadiens Sign Goalie Sanford to One-Year Contract

The Montreal Canadiens have continued to retool their roster by signing goaltender Curtis Sanford to a one-year, two-way contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 19 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks, Sanford posted a 7-8-0 record with a 2.59 GAA and a .906 save percentage. He also played in 16 games with the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Manitoba, posting a 7-3-3 record with a 1.73 GAA and a .936 save percentage. Not a bad back-up goalie signing for the Canadiens, as Sanford has been a very steady goaltender the past couple seasons in Vancouver. He will likely spend quite a bit of time in the minors next season, but if Carey Price or Jaroslav Halak should struggle or miss time due to an injury, Sanford will definitely get the call in goal as the back-up.

Bruins Re-Sign Defenseman Hunwick to Two-Year Contract

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Matt Hunwick to a two-year contract worth $2.9 million. The deal averages out to $1.45 million per season. In 53 games last season with the Bruins, Hunwick scored six goals and 21 assists for 27 points. In 66 career games with the team, he has six goals and 22 assists for 28 points. This is a decent move for Boston, as Hunwick has good puck-moving skills and some offensive potential, as well as the potential to become a top-four defenseman. If he can continue to improve his skills over the next couple of seasons, the Bruins could look to keep Hunwick long-term.

Sabres Re-Sign Defenseman Sekera and Forward MacArthur

The Buffalo Sabres announced that they have re-signed defenseman Andrej Sekera to a two-year contract worth $2 million and left wing Clarke MacArthur to a one-year contract worth $522,500. Sekera’s deal averages out to $1 million per season. In 69 games last season with Buffalo, Sekera scored three goals and 16 assists for 19 points. In 108 career games, all with the Sabres, he has five goals and 22 assists for 27 points. MacArthur played in 71 games last season with Buffalo, scoring 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points. In 127 career games, all with the Sabres, he has 28 goals and 25 assists for 53 points.

These are decent signings for the Sabres. Sekera is very mobile, great with the puck, and also skilled on the power play. He should develop into a top-four defenseman for the team in the future. MacArthur is a skilled two-way player who is a great playmaker and has decent skill on the power play. If he can continue to improve his offensive play every season, he should develop into a top-six forward for the Sabres.

Blackhawks Sign Forward Bois to One-Year Contract

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed right wing Danny Bois to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Bois appeared in 66 games last season with Binghamton of the AHL, scoring 12 goals and 12 assist for 24 points and 149 penalty minutes. He has appeared in only one NHL game, doing so with the Ottawa Senators during the 2006-07 season. This is really just a depth signing for the Blackhawks, as Bois will probably spend most of next season in the minors. If he does play with the team next season, he will provide lots of toughness and offensive depth to the team.

Hurricanes Re-Sign Defensemen Carson and Rodney

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have re-signed defensemen Brett Carson and Bryan Rodney to one-year, two-way contracts. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. Carson appeared in five games for the Hurricanes last season, scoring no points. He also played in 69 games with the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate in Albany, scoring six goals and 29 assists for 35 points. Rodney appeared in eight games with the Hurricanes last season, scoring two assists. He also played in 58 games with Albany, scoring three goals and 33 assists for 36 points.

These aren’t bad depth signings for the Hurricanes. Carson and Rodney will likely spend most of next season in the minors given the team’s depth on defense for next season, but both could see some action if injuries start to mount. They both could earn regular spots on the team over the next couple of seasons with their fine defensive play if they are given the chance.

Flames Acquire Defenseman Seabrook from Capitals

The Calgary Flames have acquired prospect defenseman Keith Seabrook from the Washington Capitals in exchange for future considerations. Shortly after making the deal, the Flames signed the young defenseman to an entry-level contract. Seabrook played 64 games last season with Calgary of the WHL, his junior team, scoring 15 goals and 40 assists for 55 points and 58 penalty minutes. Not a bad move for the Flames, as Seabrook has the potential to become am offensive-minded defenseman with a physical edge in the NHL. I’m a bit puzzled as to why the Capitals only acquired future considerations for Seabrook, but I’m sure they had their reasons. However, if he develops into a top-four defenseman or better in the NHL, the Capitals are going to regret letting him go for so little.

Kings Re-Sign Defenseman Johnson to Two-Year Deal

The Los Angeles Kings have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Jack Johnson to a two-year contract worth $2.85 million. The deal averages out to $1.425 million per season. In 41 games last season with the Kings, Johnson scored six goals and five assists for 11 points and 46 penalty minutes. He missed the first 41 games of last season with a shoulder injury. In 120 career games, all with the Kings, he has nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points and 140 penalty minutes. This is a great signing for the Kings, as Johnson has great offensive skill and potential, especially on the power play, and plays with plenty of toughness. He is very affordable at $1.425 per season and is poised to have a break-out season within the next two years. If he does, look for the Kings to try to lock him up long-term two years from now.

Wild Sign Goalie Dubielewicz, Add Forwards DiSalvatore and Milroy

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have signed goaltender Wade Dubielewicz and right wings Jon DiSalvatore and Duncan Milroy to one-year contracts. Terms of the three deals were not disclosed. Dubielewicz appeared in only three games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, posting a 1-2-0 record with a 3.55 GAA and a .870 save percentage. He spent most of last season playing in the KHL with Kazan prior to playing with the Blue Jackets. In 40 career games with the Blue Jackets and New York Islanders, he has a 17-15-1 record with a career 2.63 GAA and a .916 save percentage. DiSalvatore did not appear in any NHL games last season, instead playing in 76 games with the Lowell Devils of the AHL, scoring 20 goals and 33 assists for 53 points. Milroy played in 49 games last with Ingolstadt of the German league, scoring 14 goals and 34 assists for 48 points.

Dubielewicz is a decent back-up goalie signing if Niklas Backstrom or Josh Harding should be sidelined a lengthy period of time with an injury or if the team decides it wants to trade Harding to bring in some scoring depth. DiSalvatore and Milroy are really just depth signings for the Wild. DiSalvatore has been a very steady scorer the last several seasons at the AHL and should be a great scorer for the Wild’s AHL affiliate in Houston, but has not been able to crack the NHL full-time. If he plays for the Wild next season, it will likely be on the fourth line. Milroy has also been a steady scorer at the AHL level, but not been able to jump to the NHL full-time. He will likely spend most of next season in Houston, providing the team with plenty of offensive depth.

Thrashers Re-Sign Lehman, Lewis, and Stapleton

The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have re-signed defensemen Scott Lehman and Grant Lewis and center Tim Stapleton to new contract. Exact length and financial terms of their deals were not disclosed. Lehman played on only one game last season with the Thrashers, scoring no points. He also appeared in 50 games with the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate in Chicago, scoring two goals and three assists for five points and 86 penalty minutes. Lewis played in only one game for the Thrashers last season, scoring no points. He also played in 54 games for Chicago of the AHL, scoring 22 assists. The Thrashers acquired Stapleton from the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1 with Pavel Kubina in exchange for Garnet Exelby and Colin Stuart. In four games with the Maple Leafs last season, Stapleton scored one goal. He also played in 70 games with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, scoring 28 goals and 51 assists for 79 points.

These are nothing more than depth signings for the Thrashers. Lehman, who will likely spend most of next season in the minors, has decent size and plays with plenty of toughness. If the Thrashers give him a chance, he could develop into a decent physical, depth defenseman. Lewis will likely spend most of next season in the minors as well, giving the Chicago Wolves plenty of defensive depth and experience. Stapleton has the skills to develop into a top-nine forward at the NHL level, as long as the Thrashers give him a chance to do so.

Devils Sign Defenseman Murphy to One-Year Contract

The New Jersey Devils have added some depth to their defense by signing defenseman Cory Murphy to a one-year, two-way contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Murphy played in 32 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers after being claimed off waivers by the Lightning from the Panthers in January, scoring five goals and 11 assists for 16 points. He missed a combined total of 42 games last season with a shoulder injury and a broken foot. In 79 career games with the Lightning and Panthers, he has seven goals and 26 assists for 33 points. Not a bad signing for the Devils, as Murphy has lots of offensive skill on the blueline, especially on the power play. Despite being on a two-way contract, I think Murphy will probably spend most of the season with the Devils as a top-six defenseman.

Rangers and Avalanche Swap Minor-League Defensemen

The New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche have swapped minor-league defenseman, with the Rangers acquiring Nigel Williams in exchange for Brian Fahey. Williams appeared in 70 games last season for the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL, scoring seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points and 55 penalty minutes. Fahey played in 66 games for Hartford of the AHL last season, scoring four goals and 20 assists for 24 points and 67 penalty minutes. This is a pretty even trade for both teams, as Williams and Fahey are both offensive-minded defensemen who play with some toughness. Both players will probably start next season in the minors, but could see time with their respected teams if injuries begin to mount.

Sharks Re-Sign Vesce, Sign Four Others to One-Year Deals

The San Jose Sharks have added several depth players to their team by re-signing center Ryan Vesce to a one-year contract and signing right wing Jed Ortmeyer, center Dwight Helminen, and defensemen Joe Callahan and Danny Groulx to one-year contracts. Terms of all five deals were not disclosed. Vesce played in 10 games last season with the Sharks, scoring no points. He also appeared in 67 games with the Sharks’ AHL affiliate in Worcester, scoring 24 goals and 47 assists for 71 points. Ortmeyer played in only two games last season with the Nashville Predators, scoring no points. He also appeared in 55 games with the Predators’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, scoring 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points. He also missed 24 games last fall with a knee injury. In 23 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, Helminen scored one goal and one assist for two points. He also played in 54 games with the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate in Albany, scoring 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points. Callahan appeared in 18 games with the New York Islanders last season, scoring two assists. He also played in 56 games with the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, scoring four goals and nine assists for 13 points. Groulx played in 80 games for Rockford of the AHL last season, scoring six goals and 34 assists for 40 points and 58 penalty minutes. He has never appeared in an NHL game.

These are all really just depth signings for the Sharks. Vesce gives the team lots of offensive depth for their minor league team, and will likely spend most of next season in Worcester. Ortmeyer gives the Sharks plenty of offensive fourth line depth on the wing. Helminen gives the Sharks plenty of depth at center for the fourth line, as well as plenty of scoring depth for Worcester if he should spend most of the season there. Callahan could see time on the Sharks next season as a sixth or seventh depth defenseman if he makes the team at training camp or if there are any injuries. With Groulx being 28-years-old and never having played in the NHL will probably keep him in the minors for the duration of the 2009-10 season. However, his toughness and offensive skill on the blueline should help keep Worcester competitive defensively in the AHL next season.

Lightning Re-Sign Forwards Jones and Tukonen

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have re-signed center Blair Jones and right wing Lauri Tukonen to new contracts. Exact length and financial terms of their contracts were not disclosed. Jones did not appear in any NHL games last season, instead playing in 80 games with the Lightning’s AHL affiliate in Norfolk, scoring 20 goals and 34 assists for 54 points. Tukonen appeared in 35 games last season with Lukko and Ilves of the Finnish League, scoring eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points. The Lightning acquired the Finnish forward from the Dallas Stars last November in exchange for defenseman Andrew Hutchinson. These aren’t bad depth signings for the Lightning. Jones has the potential to become a top-nine scoring forward and could possibly make the team next season. If he does, he will likely center the third or fourth line. Tukonen doesn’t have bad offensive skill and could be a fourth line forward next season if he makes the Lightning.

Coyotes Re-Sign Defenseman Yandle to Two-Year Deal

The Phoenix Coyotes have locked-up one of their top defensive prospects by signing defenseman Keith Yandle to a two-year contract worth $2.4 million. The deal averages out to $1.2 million per season. In 69 games last season with the Coyotes, he scored four goals and 26 assists for 30 points. This is a great signing for the Coyotes, as Yandle has the potential to become a top-four defenseman in the NHL. He has plenty of offensive skill, is great on the power play, and plays with a little bit of toughness. It would not surprise me if the Coyotes sign Yandle to a long-term contract after his current one expires in two years.

Oilers Re-Sign Goalie Dubnyk, Sign Defenseman Arsene

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Devan Dubnyk to a one-year contract and have also signed defenseman Dean Arsene to a contract. Financial terms of Dubnyk’s contract were not disclosed, while exact length and financial terms of Arsene’s contract were not released. Dubnyk, who has yet to appear in an NHL game, played in 62 games last season with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Springfield, posting an 18-41-2 record with a 2.97 GAA and a .906 save percentage. Arsene, who also has yet to appear in an NHL game, played in 46 games last season with the Washington Capital’s AHL affiliate in Hershey, scoring one goal and 10 assists for 11 points and 99 penalty minutes. These are really nothing more than depth signings for the Oilers. Dubnyk was not very impressive last year for Springfield and was likely retained as a depth goalie for that team. Arsene will bring plenty of toughness and defensive depth to Springfield next season, but likely won’t see any NHL action given the Oilers’ depth on defense.

Predators Sign Forward Olvecky to One-Year Contract

The Nashville Predators have announced that they have signed left wing Peter Olvecky to a one-year, two-way contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 31 games last season with the Minnesota Wild, Olvecky scored two goals and five assists for seven points. He also appeared in 41 games with the Wild’s AHL affiliate in Houston, scoring six goals and 17 assists for 23 points. This is not a bad depth signing for the Predators, as Olvecky has the skills to become a top-nine forward in the NHL. He gives the team plenty of offensive depth and some skill on the power play and penalty kill.