Penguins Sign Defenseman Letang to Four-Year Extension

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have signed defenseman Kris Letang to a four-year contract extension worth $14 million. The deal averages out to $3.5 million per season. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. In 67 games this season with the Penguins, he has three goals and 24 assists for 27 points. In 211 career NHL games, all with the Penguins, he has 21 goals and 58 assists for 79 points. He won the Stanley Cup with the team in 2009. This is a decent signing for the Penguins, as Letang has lots of offensive potential on the blueline. He's a great puck-moving defenseman who doesn't shy away from physical play and, despite having a bit of a down year offensively, should become one of the Penguins' top two defenseman in the future. However, his contract pushes the team's payroll to $44 million for next season, which doesn't leave them a lot of room to re-sign all of their impending free agents. This could lead to the departure of defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who could get offers of $6 million on the open market and is reportedly not willing to accept a hometown discount. Either way, the team has locked up an important piece of their future in Letang and he should continue to improve over the course of the next four seasons.

Coyotes Sign Forward Bissonnette to Two-Year Extension

The Phoenix Coyotes announced on Monday that they have signed left wing Paul Bissonnette to a two-year contract extension. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been a restricted free agent this summer. In 40 games this season with the Coyotes, he has three goals and two assists for five points and 112 penalty minutes. In 55 career NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes, he has three goals and three assists for six points and 134 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Coyotes, as Bissonnette is a hard-working player on the ice and plays with a lot of toughness. He should continue to fill the enforcer role in Phoenix quite nicely over the next two seasons.

Bruins Sign Defenseman Ference to Three-Year Extension

The Boston Bruins announced today that they have signed defenseman Andrew Ference to a three-year contract extension worth $6.75 million. The deal averages out to $2.25 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 50 games so far this season with the Bruins, Ference has eight assists. He has missed 22 games this season because of a groin injury. In 569 career NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, and Boston Bruins, he has 24 goals and 117 assists for 141 points. In my opinion, this isn't such a wise move on the Bruins' part. Ference has been a reliable defensive blueliner for the Bruins since being acquired in 2007, but they are paying him way too much money for his skill level. The team probably could have let him depart via free agency this summer and replaced him with a minor league defenseman of comparable skill and point production and a much cheaper contract, or, found a much better defenseman on the free agent market that they could have thrown that kind of money at. The Bruins now have $47 million committed to 13 players next season, and if the salary cap stays close to $56 million for next season, will have roughly $9 million to spend on re-signing impending free agents or bringing in new players via free agency. Signing Ference to the contract that they did does not leave the Bruins with much salary cap space to bring in more offensive depth, which saw a significant decrease this season compared to last season.

Canucks Sign Ryan Kesler to Six-Year Extension

The Vancouver Canucks announced today that they have signed center Ryan Kesler to a six-year contract extension worth $30 million. The deal will pay him $5 million per season. He would have been a restricted free agent this summer. In 71 games so far this season with the Canucks, Kesler has 21 goals and 45 assists for 66 points. In 391 career NHL games, all with the Canucks, he has 86 goals and 120 assists for 206 points. He won a silver medal playing for the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. This is a great signing for the Canucks, as Kesler is quickly developing into a very skilled offensive forward. He's a great two-way player, has great skill on the power play, and is developing into a leader on the ice. Plus, $5 million per season is not too bad for a player of his caliber, especially if he continues to improve over the next few seasons.

Capitals Sign Forward Aucoin to Two-Year Contract Extension

The Washington Capitals announced today that they have signed center Keith Aucoin to a two-year contract extension. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In nine games with the Capitals this season, he has one goal and four assists for five points. He has spent the majority of the season with the Capitals' AHL affiliate in Hershey. Not a bad depth signing for the Capitals, as Aucoin has provided steady offensive depth on the checking lines the past couple of seasons with the team. It's also a good depth move for their minor league team in Hershey, as Aucoin has always been a prolific scorer at the AHL level.

Senators Sign Defenseman Lee to Two-Year Extension

The Ottawa Senators announced today that they have signed defenseman Brian Lee to a two-year contract extension. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been a restricted free agent this summer. In 18 games this season with the Senators, he has two goals and one assist for three points. He has also spent part of the season with the Senators' AHL affiliate in Binghamton. Not a bad move for the Senators, as Lee has proven to be a decent depth defenseman for the team. He could likely crack the Senators' lineup full-time next season, where he would likely be a third-pairing defenseman.

Avalanche Sign Goaltender John Grahame

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that they have signed free agent goaltender John Grahame to a contract. The deal is likely for the remainder of the 2009-10 season. He last played in the NHL during the 2007-08 season with the Carolina Hurricanes, posting a 5-7-1 record, with a 3.75 GAA and a .875 save percentage in 17 games. In 224 career NHL games, he has a 97-86-4 record, 12 shutouts, a 2.79 GAA, and a .898 save percentage. Not a bad depth move for the Avalanche, as Grahame has always been a fairly steady backup goaltender. Along with Craig Anderson and Peter Budaj, the Avalanche have a fairly stable goaltender rotation going into the playoffs.

Flames Acquire Defenseman Delmore from Red Wings for Armstrong

In a trade that slipped under the radar on Trade Deadline Day, the Calgary Flames have acquired defenseman Andy Delmore from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for left wing Riley Armstrong. Delmore had signed as a free agent with the Red Wings last summer. In 283 career NHL games, Delmore has 43 goals and 58 assists for 101 points with the Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Buffalo Sabres, and Columbus Blue Jackets. He has not played in an NHL game since the 2005-06 season. Armstrong, who has not played in the NHL this season, signed as a free agent with the Calgary Flames last summer. He appeared in two NHL games with the San Jose Sharks during the 2008-09 season. This is nothing more than a minor league depth move for both teams. Delmore will provide plenty of offensive depth on defense for the Abbotsford Flames of the AHL, while Armstrong will bring lots of toughness to the offense of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.

Coyotes Acquire Nokelainen from Ducks

In the last trade on Trade Deadline Day, the Phoenix Coyotes have acquired center Petteri Nokelainen from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a sixth round draft pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. In 50 games this season with the Ducks, he has four goals and seven assists for 11 points. Not a bad move for the Coyotes, who have stocked up on players for a playoff run. Nokelainen should bring plenty of offensive depth to their third line.

Rangers Acquire Eriksson from Coyotes for Wiikman

The New Rangers announced on Wednesday that they have acquired veteran defenseman Anders Eriksson from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for goaltender Miika Wiikman and a seventh round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Eriksson, who signed as a free agent with the Coyotes on December 21, has three assists in 12 games this season and was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. In 564 career NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames, and Phoenix Coyotes, he has 22 goals and 152 assists for 174 points. Wiikman has yet to play a game in the NHL. This is really just a depth move for the two teams. Eriksson will provide the Rangers with plenty of veteran depth on the blueline if he is recalled from the minors. Wiikman has the potential to become at least a backup goaltender in the NHL, so he is not a bad pick-up for the Coyotes.

Coyotes Acquire Picard from Blue Jackets for Kolarik

The Phoenix Coyotes continued to be busy right up until the 3 PM trade deadline by acquiring left wing Alexandre Picard from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for right wing Chad Kolarik. In nine games with the Blue Jackets this season, Picard has no points. He has two assists in 67 career games with the Blue Jackets. Kolarik has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth move for both teams. Picard will give the Coyotes suitable offensive depth on the wing on their checking lines, while Kolarik could give the Blue Jackets decent offensive depth on the wing if he is able to make the team next season.

Avalanche Acquire Yelle, Reed from Hurricanes for Lalonde-McNicoll

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that they have acquired centers Stephane Yelle and Harrison Reed from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for center Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll and a sixth round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. This will mark Yelle’s second stint with the Avalanche, having previously played there from 1995 to 2002. In 59 games this season with the Hurricanes, Yelle has four goals and three assists for seven points. In 980 career games with the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, and Carolina Hurricanes, he has 96 goals and 168 assists for 264 points. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Both Reed and Lalonde-McNicoll have yet to play in an NHL game. Not a bad move for both teams, as Yelle will bring lots of leadership and veteran depth to the Avalanche. He will also bring lots of skill to their penalty kill units. Reed could become a decent checking line forward for the Avalanche in the future, while Lalonde-McNicoll gives the Hurricanes another offensively talented forward to help rebuild their team.

Flames Acquire Defenseman Staios from Oilers for Johnson

The Calgary Flames announced today that they have acquired defenseman Steve Staios from the rival Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Aaron Johnson and a third round draft pick. In 39 games with the Oilers this season, Staios has seven assists and 57 penalty minutes. In 878 career NHL games with the Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, Atlanta Thrashers, and Edmonton Oilers, he has 52 goals and 147 assists for 199 points and 1227 penalty minutes. He still has one more year left on his current contract. In 22 games this season with the Flames, Johnson has one goal and two assists for three points and 19 penalty minutes. The world must be coming to an end, the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers have made a trade with each other! In all seriousness, this is not a bad move for the Flames, as Staios will bring lots of grit, leadership, and defensive depth to the team. Johnson will bring plenty of toughness to the Oilers’ roster, though he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and likely won’t be retained by the team.

Predators Acquire Forward Boyd from Flames

The Nashville Predators added some offensive depth to their roster on Wednesday by acquiring center Dustin Boyd from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 60 games this season with the Flames, he has eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points. In 192 career games, all with the Flames, he has 28 goals and 29 assists for 57 points. He will be a restricted free agent this summer. This is a decent move for the Predators, as Boyd brings them plenty of offensive depth. If he is given more of a chance in Nashville to play up to his potential than he was given in Calgary, Boyd could be a good pick-up for the Predators.

Maple Leafs Acquire Defenseman Peluso from Penguins

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have acquired defenseman Chris Peluso from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. He is currently playing at Bemidji State and was a seventh round pick of the Penguins in 2004. This is really just a minor trade for the Maple Leafs. If Peluso is able to make the Maple Leafs in the future, it will likely be as a depth defenseman.

Ducks Acquire Visnovsky from Oilers for Whitney

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that they have acquired defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Ryan Whitney and a sixth round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 56 games this season with the Oilers, Visnovsky has 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points. In 605 career NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers, he has 88 goals and 254 assists for 342 points. Whitney has four goals and 24 assists for 28 points in 62 games this season with the Ducks. This is a decent move for Anaheim, as Whitney was not able to live up to the team’s offensive expectations of him. Visnovsky brings lots of offensive depth and goal-scoring skill to the Ducks blueline, especially on the power play. With the possibility that Scott Niedermayer could retire this summer, Visnovsky is insurance that the Ducks will still have a number one defenseman on their team next season. Whitney has decent offensive skill on the blueline, but has not been able to repeat his success of past season in Pittsburgh. Perhaps a change of scenery will help Whitney improve his production.

Panthers Add Defenseman Roy from Columbus

The Florida Panthers announced today that they have acquired defenseman Mathieu Roy from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for the rights to center Matt Rust. In 31 games with the Blue Jackets this season, Roy has 10 assists and 17 penalty minutes. Rust has yet to play in an NHL game. This is a relatively minor deal on Trade Deadline Day. Roy brings the Panthers lots of toughness and grit to their blueline, while Rust gives the Blue Jackets another talented young forward to help build around.

Canucks Acquire Defenseman Alberts from Hurricanes

The Vancouver Canucks announced today that they have acquired defenseman Andrew Alberts from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a third round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 61 games this season with the Hurricanes, Alberts has two goals and eight assists for 10 points and 72 penalty minutes. In 324 career NHL games with the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Carolina Hurricanes, he has four goals and 38 assists for 42 points and 364 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth move for the Canucks, as Alberts is a very physical, defensive defenseman who plays with lots of grit. He should be a good addition to their blueline.

Ducks Acquire Goaltender MacDonald from Maple Leafs

The Anaheim Ducks added some more goaltending depth to their roster today by acquiring goaltender Joey MacDonald from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a seventh round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Earlier in the day, the Ducks dealt goalie Vesa Toskala to Calgary for goalie Curtis McElhinney. In six games with the Maple Leafs this season, he has posted a 1-4-0 record with a 3.20 GAA and a .892 save percentage. Not a bad depth move for the Ducks, as MacDonald can be a decent backup when he is on his game. He could easily jump into the backup role if the newly acquired McElhinney should begin to struggle for the Ducks.

Kings Acquire Forward Modin from Kings

The Los Angeles Kings announced today that they have acquired left wing Fredrik Modin from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional draft pick. In 24 games this season with the Blue Jackets, he has two goals and four assists for six points. He has missed 40 games this season with knee and foot injuries. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Not a bad trade for the Kings, as Modin brings plenty of veteran depth to the team. He also brings lots of offensive skill, especially on the power play, and plenty of two-way play to the team.

Capitals Acquire Defenseman Corvo for Pothier, Osala

The Washington Capitals added some more depth to their team today by acquiring defenseman Joe Corvo from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Brian Pothier, left wing prospect Oskar Osala, and a second round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. In 33 games this season with the Hurricanes, Corvo has four goals and eight assists for 12 points. He missed 28 games this season with a leg injury. In 41 games this season with the Capitals, Pothier has four goals and seven assists for 11 points. He has missed 17 games this season due to injury. Osala last played in the NHL during the 2008-09 season, appearing in two games and scoring no points. Both Corvo and Pothier will be unrestricted free agents this summer. This is a good move for the Capitals, as Corvo has lots of offensive skill on the blueline. He’s also a good puck-mover that has excellent skill on the power play. Pothier will bring plenty of veteran depth and skill to the Hurricanes’ defense, while Osala gives the team another talented prospect forward to build their team around.

Coyotes Acquire Stempniak from Maple Leafs for Jones, Draft Picks

The Phoenix Coyotes continued to bolster their roster today by acquiring right wing Lee Stempniak from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Matt Jones and a fourth and seventh round draft pick. In 61 games this season with the Maple Leafs, Stempniak has 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Jones has not played in any NHL games since the 2007-08 season since being sidelined with a concussion. This is a decent move for the Coyotes, as Stempniak brings the team lots of offensive depth on the wing and skill on the power play. He should fit in nicely with the Coyotes. Jones should provide the Maple Leafs with plenty of defensive depth as a third-pairing defenseman.

Capitals Re-Acquire Defenseman Jurcina from Blue Jackets

The Washington Capitals continued to add depth to their roster on Wednesday by re-acquiring defenseman Milan Jurcina from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a sixth round draft pick. The Capitals traded Jurcina to the Blue Jackets in December with Chris Clark for Jason Chimera. In 44 games this season with the Capitals and Blue Jackets, he has one goal and six assists for seven points. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. This is an okay deal for the Capitals, as they have brought in a familiar face in Jurcina and he will provide plenty of defensive depth for the team. However, he has developed a bit of a bad reputation for his defensive blunders and turnovers. The Capitals probably could have found a better defenseman on the market than Jurcina, but the cost could have been a lot more than a sixth round draft pick.

Thrashers Acquire Forward MacArthur from Sabres

The Atlanta Thrashers added some toughness to their team on Wednesday by acquiring left wing Clarke MacArthur from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a third and fourth round draft picks. In 59 games this season with the Sabres, he has 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points and 47 penalty minutes. He will be a restricted free agent on July 1. This is a decent trade for the Thrashers, as MacArthur plays with plenty of toughness and has some offensive skill. He also has some skill on the power play, so this should be a good pick-up for the Thrashers.

Sabres Acquire Torres from Blue Jackets for Paetsch

The Buffalo Sabres announced today that they have acquired left wing Raffi Torres from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Nathan Paetsch and a second round draft pick. In 60 games this season with the Blue Jackets, Torres has 19 goals and 12 assists for 31 points and 32 penalty minutes. In 11 games this season with the Sabres, Paetsch has one goal and one assist for two points. Both players will be unrestricted free agents this summer. This is a good trade for the Sabres, as Torres has lots of offensive skill, plays with lots of grit and toughness, and has good skills on the power play. He should fit in very nicely with the Sabres. Paetsch was a frequent scratch this season with Buffalo and never really got a chance to land a regular role with the team. He should provide plenty of defensive depth for the Blue Jackets and could improve his play if he is able to land a regular role with the team.

Flames Acquire Toskala from Ducks for McElhinney

The Calgary Flames bolstered their goaltending today by acquiring goaltender Vesa Toskala from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goaltender Curtis McElhinney. Toskala, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, was sent to Anaheim on January 31 by the Toronto Maple Leafs along with Jason Blake for Jean-Sebastien Giguere. In 26 games this season with the Maple Leafs, he posted a 7-12-3 record, with a 3.66 GAA and a .874 save percentage. He did not suit up in a game with the Ducks. In 10 games this season with the Flames, McElhinney posted a 3-4-0 record, with a 3.22 GAA and a .885 save percentage. This is a decent trade for the Flames, as Toskala will be a more suitable and experienced backup goaltender for the team than McElhinney. He could also easily jump into the starter's role if Miikka Kiprusoff should struggle or suffer an injury. McElhinney has the potential to become a decent backup goaltender, but has struggled mightily in that role in Calgary. Perhaps playing on a new team can turn his game around.

Capitals Acquire Belanger from Wild

The Washington Capitals added some more offensive depth on Wednesday by acquiring center Eric Belanger from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 60 games this season with the Wild, he has 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points. This is a great move for the Capitals, as Belanger will bring plenty of grit and offensive depth to the team. He's a decent two-way player who is a great contributor on the power play, though he will likely be only a playoff rental for the Capitals.

Kings Acquire Halpern from Lightning for Purcell, Draft Pick

The Los Angeles Kings announced today that they have acquired center Jeff Halpern from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for right wing Teddy Purcell and a third round draft pick. In 54 games this season with the Lightning, Halpern has nine goals and eight assists for 17 points. In 703 career NHL games with the Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, and Tampa Bay Lightning, he has 131 goals and 183 assists for 314 points. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 41 games this season with the Kings, Purcell has three goals and three assists for six points. He will be a restricted free agent this summer. This is a good move for the Kings, as Halpern brings a lot of veteran depth and leadership skills to the relatively young team. Purcell will bring plenty of third-line offensive depth to the Lightning.

Coyotes Acquire Schneider from Canucks for Zimmerman, Draft Pick

The Coyotes continued to deal on Wednesday by acquiring defenseman Mathieu Schneider from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Sean Zimmerman and a conditional sixth round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 17 games this season with the Canucks, Schneider has two goals and three assists for five points. He has spent most of the season with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. In 1281 career games with the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, and Vancouver Canucks, he has 223 goals and 516 assists for 739 points. He won the Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1993. Zimmerman has appeared in 54 games this season with San Antonio of the AHL, scoring two goals and five assists for seven points and 75 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Not a bad move for the Coyotes, as Schneider will bring a wealth of experience, veteran depth, and offensive skill to their blueline. However, he is still in the minors and there is the possibility that he could remain in the minors for the time being. Zimmerman should bring plenty of defensive depth and toughness to the Canucks organization.

NY Rangers Acquire Newbury from Red Wings for Owens

The New York Rangers announced today that they have acquired center Kris Newbury from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for left wing Jordan Owens. In four games this season with the Red Wings, Newbury has one goal. In 48 career NHL games with the Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, he has four goals and three assists for seven points. Owens has spent the entire season in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack. This is really just a minor trade for both teams. Newbury will bring plenty of toughness to the Rangers' lineup, but he will likely spend most of the rest of the season in the minors. Owens has the potential to become a top-nine forward in the league, so he could be a good pick-up for the Red Wings.

Coyotes Acquire Wolski from Avalanche for Mueller, Porter

The Phoenix Coyotes continued to improve their roster on Wednesday by acquiring left wing Wojtek Wolski from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for centers Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter. There was speculation in recent weeks that the Coyotes were shopping Mueller due to his drop in offensive production this season. In 61 games this season with the Avalanche, Wolski has 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points. In 301 career NHL games, all with the Avalanche, he has 73 goals and 120 assists for 193 points. In 53 games with the Coyotes this season, Mueller has four goals and 12 assists for 16 points, while Porter has no points in four games this season with the Coyotes. This is a decent trade for both teams, as they have both acquired lots of offensive potential. Wolski has lots of offensive skill, especially on the power play, and should be a good fit for the Coyotes. Mueller and Porter both have a wealth of offensive potential and goal-scoring abilities, and if they can turn their respected games around in Colorado, they could be great pick-ups for the Avalanche.

Canucks Acquire Yan Stastny from Blues

The Vancouver Canucks made a minor trade today by acquiring center Yan Stastny from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for minor-league left wing Pierre-Cedric Labrie. In four games with the Blues this season, Stastny has one goal. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Labrie has played in 45 games this season with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL, scoring five goals and one assist for six points and 69 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a minor trade for both teams. Stastny will bring the Canucks plenty of third or fourth line offensive depth. Labrie will likely finish the season in the minors, where he will brings lots of toughness and grit to the Blues' AHL affiliate in Peoria.

Capitals Acquire Walker from Hurricanes

The Washington Capitals added some toughness to their lineup today by acquiring right wing Scott Walker from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a seventh round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 32 games this season with the Hurricanes, he has three goals and two assists for five points and 23 penalty minutes. He is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury. In 819 career NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Nashville Predators, and Carolina Hurricanes, he has 149 goals and 245 assists for 394 points and 1153 penalty minutes. This is a good move by the Capitals, as Walker brings some much-needed toughness to the team's roster. He is an extremely physical player who will also bring plenty of veteran depth to the Capitals.

Oilers Claim Forward Jones Off Waivers From Predators

The Edmonton Oilers announced today that they have claimed left wing Ryan Jones off waivers from the Nashville Predators. In 41 games with the Predators this season, he has seven goals and four assists for 11 points. He was originally acquired by the Predators in 2008 in the trade that sent Marek Zidlicky to the Minnesota Wild. Not a bad addition by the Oilers, as Jones has plenty of offensive potential and goal-scoring skill. For now, he will likely bring plenty of offensive depth on the third or fourth line for the Oilers.

Ducks Acquire Defenseman Ward from Hurricanes for Pogge, Draft Pick

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that they have acquired veteran defenseman Aaron Ward from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Justin Pogge and Boston's fourth round draft pick in either 2010 or 2011. The draft pick was acquired just yesterday by the Ducks in exchange for prospect defenseman Steve Kampfer. In 60 games this season with the Hurricanes, Ward has one goal and 10 assists for 11 points. In 822 career NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Carolina Hurricanes, he has 44 goals and 105 assists for 149 points. He has won three Stanley Cups throughout his career, two with Detroit and one with Carolina. Pogge, who was acquired by the Ducks last summer from the Toronto Maple Leafs, has not played in any NHL games this season. This is a decent move by the Ducks, as Ward plays with lots of defensive depth and toughness to the team's blueline, as well as a wealth of playoff experience. Pogge gives the Hurricanes a talented prospect goaltender who could become a backup to Cam Ward down the road.

Bruins Acquire Defenseman Seidenberg from Panthers in Multi-Player Trade

The Boston Bruins added some defensive depth today by acquiring defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Matthew Bartkowski from the Florida Panthers in exchange for right wings Craig Weller and Byron Bitz and a second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 61 games this season with the Panthers, Seidenberg has two goals and 20 assists for 22 points. Bartkowski has yet to sign an NHL contract and is currently playing with the University of Ohio. The Bruins originally acquired Weller earlier in the season from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Chuck Kobasew. He has not played in any NHL games this season. In 45 games this season with the Bruins, Bitz has four goals and five assists for nine points and 31 penalty minutes.

Not a bad move for the Bruins, who appear to be stocking up on future defensemen right now. Seidenberg will bring plenty of offense to the Bruins' blueline, especially on the power play, as a likely playoff rental. Bartkowski has the potential to be a hard-hitting, physical, and offensive-minded defenseman, so he could be a good addition to the Bruins down the road. As for the Panthers, they have acquired a couple of physical checking-line forwards. Weller could bring the team plenty of grit on the wing if they don't keep him in the minors. Bitz brings plenty of third or fourth line offensive depth to the Panthers, as well as some size and toughness.

Devils Acquire Defenseman Skoula from Maple Leafs

Defenseman Martin Skoula's time in Toronto was short-lived as the Maple Leafs have traded him to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a fifth round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. Skoula was traded last night to the Maple Leafs by the Pittsburgh Penguins with prospect forward Luca Caputi for Alexei Ponikarovsky. Skoula has three goals and five assists for eight points in 33 games with the Penguins this season. In 757 career games with the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Pittsburgh Penguins, he has 44 goals and 149 assists for 193 points. Not a bad move for the Devils to add some defensive depth to their roster. Skoula will bring a veteran body to their blueline, as well as some offensive skill.

Coyotes Acquire Defenseman Morris from Bruins

In the first move on Trade Deadline Day, the Phoenix Coyotes have acquired defenseman Derek Morris from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft, marking his second stint with the Coyotes. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 57 games played with the Bruins this season, he has three goals and 22 assists for 25 points. In 850 career NHL games with the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins, he has 79 goals and 286 assists for 365 points and 820 penalty minutes. Not a bad move for the Coyotes, as Morris will bring plenty of veteran offensive depth to their blueline. Plus, for a fourth round draft pick, he was a good pick-up for a rental player for the playoffs.

Sharks Acquire Defenseman Westgarth from NY Islanders

In a minor trade on Tuesday, the San Jose Sharks have acquired defenseman Brett Westgarth from the New York Islanders in exchange for future considerations. This will be Westgarth's second stint with the Sharks organization, having previously signed as a free agent with the team in 2008. In 46 games this season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL, he has three goals and five assists for eight points and 68 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really nothing more than a depth move by the Sharks for their AHL affiliate in Worcester. He will bring lots of toughness and defensive depth to Worcester, but don't expect to see him play any games this season in the NHL.

Blues Acquire D'Agostini from Canadiens for Palushaj

The St. Louis Blues announced late Tuesday night that they have acquired right wing Matt D'Agostini from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for prospect right wing Aaron Palushaj. In 40 games this season with the Canadiens, D'Agostini has two goals and two assists for four points. In 94 career games, all with the Canadiens, he has 14 goals and 11 assists for 25 points. He will be a restricted free agent on July 1. Palushaj has five goals and 17 assists for 22 points in 44 games with the Blues' AHL affiliate in Peoria. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Not a bad pick-up for the Blues in D'Agostini. His numbers have not been very good this season, but playing on a new team could change that. He has lots of offensive potential and could become a very effective forward for the Blues in the future. Palushaj also has lots of offensive potential and could be a good addition for the Canadiens.

Penguins Acquire Ponikarovsky for Skoula, Caputi

The Pittsburgh Penguins have bolstered their offense tonight by acquiring left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Martin Skoula and prospect left wing Luca Caputi. Ponikarovsky and Skoula will both be unrestricted free agents this summer. In 61 games this season with the Maple Leafs, Ponikarovsky has 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points. In 477 career NHL games, all with the Maple Leafs, he has 114 goals and 143 assists for 257 points. Skoula has three goals and five assists for eight points in 33 games with the Penguins this season. In 757 career games with the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and Pittsburgh Penguins, he has 44 goals and 149 assists for 193 points. Caputi has one goal and one assist for two points in four games with the Penguins this season. He also has 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points in 54 games this season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. This is a decent trade for both teams, as the Penguins get a three-time 20 goal scorer and the Maple Leafs get a decent offensive prospect in return. The trade was originally going to be Ponikarovsky for Caputi, but the Penguins needed to clear some salary cap space, so the Maple Leafs agreed to take on Skoula and his salary in return. Ponikarovsky will bring lots of offensive depth and goal scoring skill to the Penguins, though he will only be a playoff rental. Skoula will bring plenty of offensive depth and veteran experience to the Maple Leafs' blueline. Caputi has plenty of offensive potential and could likely find a roster spot on the team next season as the Maple Leafs continue to rebuild.

Blackhawks Acquire Defenseman Boynton from Ducks

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have acquired defenseman Nick Boynton from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for future considerations. Boynton was immediately sent to the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate in Rockford after the trade. In 42 games this season with the Ducks, he has one goal and six assists for seven points and 59 penalty minutes. In 547 career NHL games with the Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers, and Anaheim Ducks, he has 33 goals and 102 assists for 135 points and 810 penalty minutes. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Not a bad move for the Blackhawks, as Boynton will bring them plenty of veteran defensive depth and toughness. Plus, with Brent Sopel currently sidelined with an injury, the team was likely looking to add some depth on defense. However, with Boynton being sent to the minors, the Blackhawks likely feel they have sufficient depth on defense for now and could recall him closer to the playoffs.

Oilers Acquire Marquardt from Bruins for Wild

The Edmonton Oilers announced today that they have acquired left wing Matt Marquardt from the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Cody Wild. Marquardt has appeared in 42 games with the Providence Bruins of the AHL this season, scoring one goal and nine assists for 10 points. Wild has split time this season between Springfield of the AHL and Stockton of the ECHL. Both players have yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a minor trade for both teams. Marquardt will bring plenty of offensive depth for the Oilers' AHL affiliate, while Wild will provide the Bruins' AHL team with plenty of defensive depth.

Wild Re-Sign Defensemen Zidlicky, Stoner

The Minnesota Wild announced today that they have signed defenseman Marek Zidlicky to a three-year contract extension worth $12 million and defenseman Clayton Stoner to a two-year contract extension worth $1.1 million. Zidlicky's deal averages out to $4 million per season, while Stoner's deal averages out to $550,000 per season. In 60 games so far this season with the Wild, Zidlicky has five goals and 31 assists for 36 points. In 443 career NHL games with the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild, he has 52 goals and 201 assists for 253 points. Stoner has appeared in eight games this season with the Wild, his first in the NHL, scoring two assists. Both players would have been free agents this summer. These are good signings by the Wild. Zidlicky brings lots of offensive skill to the team's defense and power play as well as a little toughness. Stoner brings lots of size and toughness to the Wild's blueline and should be able to land a regular spot on the team by next season.

Bruins Acquire Right to Defenseman Kampfer

The Boston Bruins announced today that they have acquired the rights to defenseman Steve Kampfer from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for their fourth round draft pick in either 2010 or 2011. Kampfer has appeared in 37 games this season with the University of Michigan, scoring two goals and 15 assists for 17 points and 48 penalty minutes. He was Anaheim's fourth round pick, 93rd overall, in the 2007 Entry Draft. Not a huge move by any means, but the Bruins have added some future defensive talent to their team.

Senators Acquire Defenseman Sutton from NY Islanders

The Ottawa Senators announced today that they have acquired defenseman Andy Sutton from the New York Islanders in exchange for a second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 54 games this season with the Islanders, he has four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 73 penalty minutes. In 567 career NHL games with the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, Atlanta Thrashers, and New York Islanders, he has 34 goals and 101 assists for 135 points and 984 penalty minutes. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Not a bad move for the Senators, who were looking to add some defensive depth to their roster. Sutton will bring lots of toughness and experience to the team's blueline, though he will likely be a rental player for the playoffs.

Thrashers Sign Defenseman Chris Chelios

Chris Chelios is on his way back to the NHL. The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have signed the 48-year-old defenseman to what is believed to be a one-year contract. He first must clear waivers, and if he does, will remain in the minors until the Thrashers need him, according to the team. He had been playing with the Thrashers' AHL affiliate in Chicago since the beginning of the 2009-10 season. In 25 NHL seasons, Chelios has played in 1644 games with the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and Detroit Red Wings, scoring 185 goals and 763 assists for 948 points and 2891 penalty minutes. He has won the Norris Trophy three times as the league's top defenseman and three Stanley Cups, one with Montreal and two with Detroit. An interesting signing by the Thrashers. Chelios will bring lots of experience to the blueline, as well as a wealth of leadership to the team. If he is recalled by the team, he will likely play on the third defensive pairing, just don't expect to see him contribute on the score sheet regularly.

Thrashers Acquire Artyukhin from Ducks for Oystrick

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have acquired right wing Evgeny Artyukhin from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Nathan Oystrick and a conditional draft pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. The Ducks had acquired Artyukhin from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Drew Miller last August. In 37 games this season with the Ducks, Artyukhin has four goals and five assists for nine points and 41 penalty minutes. In 182 career NHL games with Tampa Bay and Anaheim, he has 14 goals and 28 assists for 42 points and 282 penalty minutes. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Oystrick has not played in any NHL games this season. Last season, his first in the NHL, he scored four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 50 penalty minutes in 53 games with the Thrashers. This is an okay move for the Thrashers, as they had been looking to acquire a big, physical forward. Artyukhin will give them the toughness they were seeking, but don't expect to see him contribute a whole lot on the score sheet. As for the Ducks, Oystrick is a physical defenseman who could provide toughness for the team, but given their current depth on the blueline, he will likely spend the rest of the season in the minors.

Blue Jackets Acquire Moore from NY Islanders for Reese

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that they have acquired right wing Greg Moore from the New York Islanders in exchange for defenseman Dylan Reese. Moore has 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points in 62 games this season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL. He appeared in six NHL games during the 2007-08 season with the New York Rangers, scoring no points. Reese has four goals and 18 assists for 22 points this season with Syracuse of the AHL. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Both players are restricted free agents at the end of the season. This is really just a depth move for both teams. The Blue Jackets get a depth forward in Moore who could play on their fourth line if needed. In Reese, the Islanders get some defensive depth, but he will likely remain in the minors for the remainder of the season.

Predators Acquire Defenseman Grebeshkov from Oilers

The Nashville Predators announced today that they have acquired defenseman Denis Grebeshkov from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 47 games with the Oilers, he has six goals and 13 assists for 19 points. In 223 career NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, and Edmonton Oilers, he has 16 goals and 66 assists for 82 points. He will be a restricted free agent this summer. Not a bad move for the Predators, as Grebeshkov brings plenty of offense to the team's blueline. He also brings plenty of skill on the power play to the Predators as well. This trade also shows that the Oilers are now in rebuild mode, so expect them to unload several players by the 3 PM trade deadline on Wednesday. There is currently speculation that the acquisition of Grebeshkov could pave the way for the Predators to trade defenseman Dan Hamhuis, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The rumor is that the Philadelphia Flyers are interested in Hamhuis, but the Predators are rumored seeking a young defenseman in return, believed to be Ryan Parent. With the Flyers seeking defensive help, this situation could get interesting. Keep an eye on the Predators and Flyers in the coming days for a possible trade.

Blues Acquire Fallon From Blackhawks for Toivonen, Richmond

The St. Louis Blues announced today that they have acquired goaltender Joe Fallon from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Hannu Toivonen and defenseman Danny Richmond. Fallon has appeared in 29 games this season with Rockford of the AHL, posting a 15-10-1 record with a 2.64 GAA and a .912 save percentage. Toivonen has played in 26 games with Peoria of the AHL this season, posting an 11-11-3 record with a 2.73 GAA and a .906 save percentage. Richmond has one goal and 15 assists for 16 points and 135 penalty minutes in 54 games this season with Peoria. This will be Richmond's second stint with the Blackhawks. He played with the team for parts of three seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in July 2008. In 49 career NHL games with the Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes, he has three assists and 75 penalty minutes.

This is really just a minor trade for both teams and in no way do I believe it's suggesting the Blackhawks are looking to move a goalie. Both Chicago and St. Louis were likely looking to bolster their AHL affiliates through this trade. Fallon brings promising goaltending depth to the Blues' organization, while Toivonen brings experience to the Blackhawks. Despite showing a lot of promise early in his NHL career, Toivonen has struggled at the NHL level in recent years, having last played in the league during the 2007-08 season. Perhaps a change of scenery will do Toivonen some good. Richmond gives the Blackhawks a very physical defenseman, but given their current depth on their blueline, he likely won't see much, if any, playing time this season.

Flames Sign Stajan to Four-Year Contract Extension

The Calgary Flames announced today that they have signed center Matt Stajan to a four-year contract extension worth $14 million. The deal averages out to $3.5 million per season. The Flames acquired Stajan from Toronto on January 31 in the blockbuster deal that sent Dion Phaneuf to the Maple Leafs. In 62 games this season with the Flames and Maple Leafs, he has 18 goals and 27 assists for 45 points. In 452 career NHL games with the Flames and Maple Leafs, he has 89 goals and 138 assists for 227 points. This is a decent move for the Flames, as Stajan is starting to become a reliable scorer in the NHL. He has great offensive skill and is starting to develop into a goal scorer. He will likely see more playing time alongside Jarome Iginla, and if the two forwards can mesh, Stajan could turn out to be a very good addition to the team. If his production can improve over the next few seasons, he could be a bargain at $3.5 million.

Penguins Acquire Defenseman Leopold from Panthers

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have acquired defenseman Jordan Leopold from the Florida Panthers in exchange for their second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 61 games with the Panthers this season, he has seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points. He was acquired by the Panthers this past summer in the Jay Bouwmeester trade and signed to a one-year contract. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 416 career NHL games with the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers, Leopold has 36 goals and 91 assists for 127 points. This is a decent trade for the Penguins, as Leopold will bring plenty of offense to their defense. He will also bring some experience to a blueline that has seen its share of injuries this season. Leopold is likely a rental player for the Penguins for the playoffs, but he will bring plenty of skill and depth to the team and will be a welcome addition to their defense if injuries begin to mount again.

Stars Sign Forward Ott to Four-Year Extension

The Dallas Stars announced today that they have signed center Steve Ott to a four-year contract extension worth $11.8 million. The deal averages out to $2.95 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 52 games so far this season with the Stars, Ott has 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points and 100 penalty minutes. He is currently on injured reserve after having an appendectomy in February. In 389 career NHL games, all with the Stars, he has 51 goals and 85 assists for 136 points and 778 penalty minutes. This is a great signing for the Stars, as Ott is one of the top agitators in the league today. He plays a very physical game and is an intimidating presence on the ice with his toughness. He can also score goals and plays well on the power play and penalty kill, making him a very important part of the Stars' roster. Apparently there was some speculation that the Stars would try to move Ott before the March 3 trade deadline, but those rumors proved to be false. I wouldn't have put much stock into them anyway