Predators Sign Wade Belak to One-Year Extension

The Nashville Predators announced on Thursday that they have signed forward Wade Belak to a one-year contract extension worth $575,000. He would have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 39 games this past season with the Predators, he had two assists and 58 penalty minutes. In 534 career NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and Nashville Predators, he has eight goals and 25 assists for 33 points and 1,245 penalty minutes. Really nothing more than a depth signing, Belak brings lots of grit and toughness to the Predators' third and fourth lines. He can also play defense, so the team can move Belak from offense to defense depending on their needs.

Maple Leafs Sign Gustavsson to Two-Year Extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs locked up an important part of their future on Thursday by signing goaltender Jonas Gustavsson to a two-year contract extension worth $2.7 million. The deal averages out to $1.35 million per season. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. In 42 games this past season with the Maple Leafs, his first in the NHL, Gustavsson posted a 16-15-9 record, a 2.87 GAA, and a .902 save percentage. He underwent two heart ablation procedures in the fall, missing eight games as a result, but earned the team's nomination this year for the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. He also missed five games last October with a groin injury. This is a great signing for the Maple Leafs, as Gustavsson showed plenty of promise in his first NHL season. Despite struggling a bit early in the 2009-10 season, he made a lot of progress as the season went on, securing the starter's role after the Winter Olympics ended. With the way he played near the end of this past season, look for Gustavsson to be even better next season. Plus, at $1.35 million per season, he's a very affordable goaltending option.

Penguins Sign Goaltender Johnson to Two-Year Extension

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have signed goaltender Brent Johnson to a two-year contract extension worth $1.2 million. The deal averages out to $600,000 per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 23 games this past season with the Penguins, his first with the club, Johnson posted a 10-6-1 record, a 2.76 GAA, and a .906 save percentage. In 270 career NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, Washington Capitals, and Pittsburgh Penguins, he has a 121-100-13 record, 13 shutouts, a 2.64 GAA, and a .903 save percentage. This is a good signing for the Penguins, as Johnson has always been a very steady backup goaltender at the NHL level. He has been a great addition to the Penguins and showed this past season that he can jump into the starter's role if Marc-Andre Fleury should struggle. Plus, he is a very affordable signing, which will allow the Penguins cap space to re-sign some of their impending free agents this summer.

Lightning Fire Head Coach Tocchet, GM Lawton

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Monday that they have fired head coach Rick Tocchet and general manager Brian Lawton after missing the playoffs for the third straight year. Tocchet took over as head coach of the Lightning in November 2008 after then coach Barry Melrose was fired. Lawton, whose contract was up at the end of June, was hired by the team in July 2008 and took over as general manager in October 2008. Despite the controversial hire of Tocchet as head coach, he has been largely credited with improving the play of phenom Steven Stamkos, who tied Sidney Crosby for the Rocket Richard Trophy this past season with 51 goals. The Lightning went 53-69-12 under Tocchet, who still had one more year remaining on a two-year deal. No replacements for Tocchet or Lawton have been named yet, but assistant general manager Tom Kurvers will assume responsibility for hockey operations until a new general manager is hired. I can't say I didn't see these moves coming, as new team owner Jeff Vinik needs to clean up the mess that previous owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie made of the the team. Lawton really messed up the team during the summer of 2008 when he signed a glut of free agent forwards and neglected the defense after trading away Dan Boyle, resulting in a last place finish in the league. More attention was paid to the defense last summer, but the additions of Mattias Ohlund, Matt Walker, and Kurtis Foster did not help the team much in the standings. Despite great seasons from forwards Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis, and Steve Downie, the Lightning's offense was disappointing at best, with Vincent Lecavalier and newcomer Alex Tanguay struggling to score at times. Tocchet was not a bad coach for the team and really brought out the best in Stamkos, but with team ownership looking for change, he was bound to get fired. Hopefully Vinik will be able to find a general manager who can turn the team around quickly and give the fans in Tampa Bay something to cheer for again.

Veteran Forward Keith Tkachuk Retires

After a 17-year NHL career, veteran left wing Keith Tkachuk has decided to retire. He played this past season with the St. Louis Blues, appearing in 67 games and scoring 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points and 56 penalty minutes. In 1,201 career NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, and Atlanta Thrashers, he has 538 goals and 527 assists for 1,065 points and 2,219 penalty minutes. Tkachuk won the silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City as a member of Team USA, appeared in five all-star games, but never won a Stanley Cup. He had back-to-back 50 goal seasons in 1996 and 1997. Tkachuk was always a tremendous player throughout his career. He was a terrific goal scorer, played with lots of toughness and grit, and was a proven leader on the ice. Tkachuk will be missed in the NHL and should be very proud of everything he accomplished throughout his career, and hopefully one day he will earn a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Stars Sign Forward Petersen to Two-Year Extension

The Dallas Stars have announced that they have signed center Toby Petersen to a two-year contract extension worth $1.55 million. The deal will pay him $750,000 next season and $800,000 for the 2011-12 season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 78 games this past season with the Stars, Petersen had nine goals and six assists for 15 points. In 298 career games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, and Dallas Stars, he has 29 goals and 41 assists for 70 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Stars, as Petersen is a hard-working third or fourth-line forward. Look for him to continue playing the same role over the next two years.

Flyers Sign Free Agent Goaltender Caron

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed free agent goaltender Sebastien Caron for the remainder of the 2009-10 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He had been playing in the Swiss Elite League this past season. Caron is the Flyers' seventh goalie this season, but will not be available for the playoffs because he was signed after the March 3 trade deadline. He last played in the NHL during the 2006-07 season as a spare goalie for the eventual Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks. In addition to playing with the Ducks, he has also played for the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins. This is really nothing more than a depth signing for the Flyers to help them get through the rest of the regular season. With Ray Emery, Michael Leighton, and Johan Backlund all sidelined with lengthy injuries, the Flyers were in desperate need of some veteran depth in goal. Brian Boucher will likely see the bulk of the starts for the rest of the season and playoffs, but Caron will provide adequate goaltending depth for the team until the playoffs begin.

Stars Sign Forward Wandell to Two-Year Extension

The Dallas Stars have announced that they have signed center Tom Wandell to a two-year contract extension. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. In 50 games this season with the Stars, Wandell has five goals and 10 assists for 15 points. He is currently sidelined with a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season. Not a bad depth signing for the Stars. Wandell has been a reliable fourth line center for the team, and with three game winning goals on the season, he has been an important part of the team offensively this past season. Look for him to possibly center the third line over the next couple of years.

Oilers Sign Free Agent Forward Linglet to One-Year Contract

The Edmonton Oilers announced on Wednesday that they have signed free agent left wing Charles Linglet to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed and the contract should be through the remainder of the 2009-10 season. In 75 games this season with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL, Linglet has 19 goals and 55 assists for 74 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. He was originally signed as a free agent by the St. Louis Blues in 2007. This is really just a depth signing for the Oilers. He likely won't have much of an impact on the Oilers' play at the NHL level. However, Linglet has been impressive offensively in the AHL this season, and the Oilers are likely hoping some of that will rub off when he plays his first NHL game on April 2.