Thrashers Re-Sign Forwards Eager, Ladd, Goaltender Mannino

The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have avoided arbitration with left wing Ben Eager and re-signed him to a one-year contract worth $965,000. The team has also avoided arbitration with left wing Andrew Ladd and signed him to a one-year contract worth $2.35 million. The Thrashers also announced that they have re-signed goaltender Peter Mannino to a multi-year contract. The financial terms of his deal were not disclosed. Eager was acquired by the Thrashers from the Chicago Blackhawks on June 24 in the Dustin Byfuglien trade, while Ladd was acquired in a separate deal with the Blackhawks on July 1 for defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy. These aren't bad signings for the Thrashers, as both players will bring plenty of veteran depth to the team. Eager will bring some much needed toughness and grit to the forward lines, while Ladd will also bring some toughness and offensive depth as well. Mannino is really just a depth signing for the team and will likely spend most of the next two seasons in the minors.

Devils Re-Sign Mark Fraser, Add Chad Wiseman

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have avoided arbitration with defenseman Mark Fraser and re-signed him to a one-year contract worth $500,000. The team also announced that they have signed free agent left wing Chad Wiseman to a one-year contract. Financial terms of his deal were not disclosed. In 61 games last season with New Jersey, Fraser had three goals and three assists for six points and 36 penalty minutes. Wiseman played in 67 games with Springfield of the AHL last season, scoring 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points and 83 penalty minutes. Fraser isn't a bad signing for the Devils, as he has good size and plays with plenty of toughness. Wiseman is really nothing more than a depth signing for the team, as he will likely spend most of next season in the minors, providing plenty of scoring depth and toughness for Lowell of the AHL.

Blue Jackets Re-Sign Defenseman Stralman

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have avoided arbitration with defenseman Anton Stralman and re-signed him to a one-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 73 games last season with the Blue Jackets, he had six goals and 28 assists for 34 points. Not a bad signing for Columbus, as Stralman is starting to develop into a decent puck-moving defenseman. He's also good on the power play and has a decent shot, making him an effective blueliner for the team.

2010 NHL Arbitration

The following 32 NHL players have elected to file for salary arbitration this summer. July 5 was the deadline for players to elect salary arbitration. The hearings will be held from July 20 to August 4, with the specific dates to be determined by the NHL and NHLPA on Tuesday. If more players file for arbitration, I will add them to this list. Arbitrators are only allowed to hand out one to two year deals and their decisions must be made within 48 hours of the hearing. Teams then have 48 hours to accept or decline the arbitrator's decision. If a team has more than one player filing for arbitration, that team has 48 hours from their last player's hearing to decide if they want to accept or decline the arbitrator's decision. If a team declines an arbitrator's decision, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent. Players who have filed for arbitration cannot be given an offer sheet. The following players are still scheduled for arbitration:

Atlanta Thrashers
Clarke MacArthur - July 21, 2010 - Awarded one-year contract worth $2.4 million in arbitration (Thrashers walked away from the award, making him an unrestricted free agent)

Boston Bruins
Blake Wheeler - July 29, 2010 - Awarded one-year contract worth $2.2 million in arbitration (Bruins accepted the award)

Buffalo Sabres
Tim Kennedy - July 29, 2010 - Awarded one-year contract worth $1 million in arbitration (Sabres accepted the award, but later bought out his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent)

Chicago Blackhawks
Antti Niemi - July 31, 2010 - Awarded one-year contract worth $2.75 million in arbitration (Blackhawks walked away from the award, making him an unrestricted free agent)

Vancouver Canucks
Jannik Hansen - July 22, 2010 - Awarded one-year contract worth $825,000 in arbitration (Canucks accepted the award)


The following players have re-signed with their teams prior to their arbitration hearings:

Anaheim Ducks
James Wisniewski - 1 year, $3.25 million (7/30/10) (later traded to NY Islanders)

Atlanta Thrashers
Ben Eager - 1 year, $965,000 (7/28/10)
Andrew Ladd - 1 year, $2.35 million (7/29/10)

Boston Bruins
Greg Campbell - 2 years, undisclosed (7/15/10)

Buffalo Sabres
Patrick Kaleta - 2 years, $1.815 million (7/21/10)

Calgary Flames
Ian White - 1 year, $2,999,995 (7/30/10)

Columbus Blue Jackets
Jared Boll - 2 years, undisclosed (7/13/10)
Anton Stralman - 1 year, undisclosed (7/28/10)

Dallas Stars
Fabian Brunnstrom - 1 year, $675,000 (7/22/10)

Detroit Red Wings
Derek Meech - 1 year, undisclosed (7/15/10)

Edmonton Oilers
Gilbert Brule - 2 years, $3.7 million (7/27/10)
Jeff Deslauriers - 1 year, undisclosed (7/31/10)
Jean-Francois Jacques - 1 year, undisclosed (7/13/10)

Los Angeles Kings
Brad Richardson - 1 year, undisclosed (7/17/10)

New Jersey Devils
Mark Fraser - 1 year, $500,000 (7/28/10)

New York Islanders
Matt Moulson - 1 year, $2.45 million (7/27/10) (hat tip to TheMetalChick for mentioning this one)

New York Rangers
Dan Girardi - 4 years, $13.3 million (7/9/10)

Ottawa Senators
Chris Campoli - 1 year, $1.4 million (7/30/10)
Peter Regin - 2 years, $2 million (7/29/10)

Philadelphia Flyers
Daniel Carcillo - 1 year, undisclosed (7/13/10)

St. Louis Blues
Cam Janssen - 1 year, undisclosed (7/6/10)

Tampa Bay Lightning
Nate Thompson - 1 year, undisclosed (7/16/10)

Vancouver Canucks
Tanner Glass - 1 year, undisclosed (7/9/10)
Mason Raymond - 2 years, $5.1 million (7/26/10)

Washington Capitals
Eric Fehr - 2 years, $4.4 million (7/8/10)
Tomas Fleischmann - 1 year, $2.6 million (7/27/10)
Jeff Schultz - 4 years, $11 million (7/7/10)

Capitals Re-Sign Tomas Fleischmann to One-Year Deal

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have avoided salary arbitration with left wing Tomas Fleischmann and re-signed him to a one-year contract worth $2.6 million. In 69 games last season with the Capitals, he had 23 goals and 28 assists for 51 points. He also appeared in two games with Hershey of the AHL on a conditioning assignment after missing 10 NHL games with a blood clot in his leg. In those two games, he had one assist. Not a bad signing for Washington, as Fleischmann brings plenty of offensive depth to the wing. He's got some goal-scoring skill, is good on the power play, and can also play center, making him an effective top-six forward for the team.

Oilers Re-Sign Gilbert Brule to Two-Year Contract

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have avoided arbitration with center Gilbert Brule and re-signed him to a two-year contract worth $3.7 million. The deal averages out to $1.85 million per season. In 62 games last season with the Oilers, he had 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points. Not a bad signing for Edmonton, as Brule made some good steps in his development last season after struggling in Columbus for two years. He has some scoring upside, is a good playmaker, and can play a physical game when he needs to. Look for Brule to improve his play even more next season with the Oilers.

NY Islanders Re-Sign Forward Matt Moulson

The New York Islanders have announced that they have avoided arbitration with left wing Matt Moulson and re-signed him to a one-year contract worth $2.45 million. In all 82 games last season with New York, he had 30 goals and 18 assists for 48 points. This is a good signing for the Islanders, as Moulson was one of their top players last season. He has good goal-scoring skills, works hard on the ice, and is decent on the power play. Look for Moulson to once again be one of the top scorers next season for the Islanders.

Kings Sign Free Agent Forward Alexei Ponikarovsky

Just hours after losing Alexander Frolov to the New York Rangers, the Los Angeles Kings found his replacement by signing left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky to a one-year contract worth $3.2 million. In 77 games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins, he had 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points. He added one goal and four assists in 11 playoff games with the Penguins. This is an interesting signing for the Kings, as they paid a little bit more to land Ponikarovsky, who is definitely not as good offensively as Frolov. Sure, Ponikarovsky has some offensive ability and is a capable two-way forward, but the Kings probably would have been better off retaining Frolov. However, after losing Frolov, Ponikarovsky was probably one of the most suitable left wings left on the free agent market to fill Frolov's place, so this signing works for the Kings.

NY Rangers Sign Alexander Frolov to One-Year Contract

The New York Rangers added some scoring depth to their lineup on Tuesday by signing left wing Alexander Frolov to a one-year contract worth $3 million. In 81 games last season with the Los Angeles Kings, he had 19 goals and 32 assists for 51 points. He also added one goal and three assists in six playoff games. Not a bad signing for the Rangers, as Frolov will add plenty of offensive skill and two-way play to their lineup despite his knack for inconsistency. The Rangers are now almost $1 million over the salary cap after the Frolov signing and still have to re-sign defenseman Marc Staal, which likely means that defenseman Wade Redden will be sent to the minors unless another team is willing to take his $6.5 million salary off their hands. Given Redden's struggles in recent years, he is likely headed to the minors next season.

Coyotes Re-Sign Forward Alexandre Picard

The Phoenix Coyotes have announced that they have re-signed left wing Alexandre Picard to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He was acquired by the Coyotes from the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 3 in exchange for forward Chad Kolarik. In nine games last season with the Blue Jackets prior to the trade, Picard had no points. He also appeared in 58 games with Syracuse and San Antonio of the AHL, scoring 26 goals and 24 assists for 50 points. This is really just a depth signing for Phoenix, as Picard is likely to spend most of next season in the minors, where he will provide plenty of scoring depth for San Antonio.

Predators Re-Sign Defenseman Ryan Parent

The Nashville Predators have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Ryan Parent to a two-year contract worth $1.85 million. The deal will pay him $850,000 in 2010-11 and $1 million in 2011-12. He was acquired by the Predators from the Philadelphia Flyers on June 19 in exchange for the negotiating rights to defenseman Dan Hamhuis. In 48 games last season with the Flyers, Parent had one goal and two assists for three points. He missed seven games early in the 2009-10 season with a groin injury and 24 games this past spring with a lower body injury. Not a bad depth signing for the Predators, as Parent is good on the penalty kill and is a capable defensive defenseman. He should be a good fit on the third defensive pairing in Nashville.

Canucks Re-Sign Mason Raymond to Two-Year Deal

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have re-signed left wing Mason Raymond to a two-year contract worth $5.1 million, thus avoiding salary arbitration with the 24-year-old forward. The deal will pay him $2.5 million in 2010-11 and $2.6 million in 2011-12. In all 82 games last season with the Canucks, he had 25 goals and 28 assists for 53 points. Not a bad signing for Vancouver, as Raymond had a fine year with the team in 2009-10. He has decent offensive skills, can score goals, and is a good skater. His contract puts the Canucks $3 million over the salary cap, but they might get some cap relief with the recent Achilles tendon injury to oft-injured defenseman Sami Salo. If Salo goes on long-term injured reserve, his $3.5 million won't count against the team's salary. However, when he finally comes off injured reserve, they need to be prepared to move that $3 million in salary.

Panthers Sign Forward Mark Cullen to One-Year Contract

The Florida Panthers have announced that they have signed center Mark Cullen to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 62 games last season with Rockford of the AHL, he had 21 goals and 32 assists for 53 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Panthers, as Cullen will likely spend most of next season in the minors, where he will provide plenty of scoring depth for Rochester of the AHL.

Sharks Re-Sign Forward Zalewski

The San Jose Sharks have announced that they have re-signed center Steven Zalewski to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In three games last season with the Sharks, he had no points. He also appeared in 78 games with Worcester of the AHL, scoring 22 goals and 40 assists for 62 points. This is really just a depth signing for San Jose, as Zalewski is likely to spend most of next season in the minors.

Blackhawks Re-Sign Brophey, Bickell, Davis; Add Jessiman

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have re-signed centers Evan Brophey and Nathan Davis to one-year contracts and left wing Bryan Bickell to a three-year contract. The team also announced that they have signed free agent right wing Hugh Jessiman to a one-year contract. Financial terms of all four deals were not disclosed. Bickell could make the Blackhawks next season given their salary cap constraints and open forward positions. If he does, he will bring plenty of size and strength to the wing. Brophey, Davis, and Jessiman are really just depth signings for the team and will likely spend much of next season in the minors.

Lightning Sign Free Agent Forwards Pouliot, Durno

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have signed center Marc-Antoine Pouliot and left wing Chris Durno to one-year, two-way contracts. The financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. Pouliot is a decent depth signing for the Lightning. Despite his offensive struggles and inconsistency, he does have some scoring upside, is decent on faceoffs, and can play all three forward positions. He should be a decent third or fourth line forward for the team. Durno is really just a depth signing for Tampa Bay. He plays with plenty of toughness and is a very physical player, but could end up fighting for a roster spot at training camp in the fall.

Stars Re-Sign Forward Fabian Brunnstrom

The Dallas Stars have announced that they have avoided salary arbitration with right wing Fabian Brunnstrom and re-signed him to a one-year contract worth $675,000. In 44 games last season with the Stars, he had two goals and nine assists for 11 points. He also appeared in eight games with Texas of the AHL, scoring one goal and four assists for five points. Well, this is an affordable signing for the Stars, to say the least. Brunnstrom has struggled mightily at the NHL level since joining Dallas two years ago and hasn't been able to find a lot of consistency in his game. However, he does possess good speed and plenty of offensive skill, and if he can improve his game, he could be a dangerous forward for the Stars. If he has another bad year, don't be surprised if Brunnstrom trade rumors begin to heat up, or, possibly him returning to Europe next summer.

Canucks Re-Sign Jannik Hansen to One-Year Deal

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have re-signed right wing Jannik Hansen to a one-year contract worth $825,000. He was awarded the contract in arbitration. In 47 games last season with the Canucks, he had nine goals and six assists for 15 points. He also appeared in five games with Manitoba of the AHL, scoring two assists. Not a bad signing for Vancouver, as Hansen is a decent two-way forward with good playmaking skills. Also, his deal is a very cap friendly contract for the team despite being $3 million over the salary cap. With Sami Salo currently sidelined with a torn Achilles tendon, the team can get some cap relief if he goes on long-term injured reserve. If he does, his $3.5 million salary won't count against their cap space.

Flyers Re-Sign Forward Matt Clackson

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have re-signed left wing Matt Clackson to a new contract. The exact length and financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 60 games last season with Adirondack of the AHL, he had two goals and four assists for six points and 174 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Flyers. Clackson doesn't have much offensive upside, but he does play with a lot of grit and toughness. He will likely spend most, if not all, of next season in the minors.

Blue Jackets Re-Sign Defenseman Clitsome

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Grant Clitsome to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 11 games last season with the Blue Jackets, he had one goal and two assists for three points. He also appeared in 64 games with Syracuse of the AHL, scoring five goals and 15 assists for 20 points. This is really just a depth signing for Columbus. Clitsome has some offensive upside, but that has mostly come at the minor league level. He could see some time in the NHL next season, but it would likely be if there was an injury on the Blue Jackets' blueline.

Thrashers Re-Sign Goaltender Pavelec to Two-Year Contract

The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Ondrej Pavelec to a two-year contract worth $2.3 million. The deal averages out to $1.15 million per season. In 42 games last season with the Thrashers, he posted a 14-18-7 record, two shutouts, a 3.29 GAA, and a .906 save percentage. Not a bad signing for Atlanta, as Pavelec has the potential to become a decent starting goalie. He has good size and works hard on the ice, although he does have some consistency issues. He and Chris Mason will likely split time in net next season, giving the team two capable goaltenders. Plus, at $1.15 million per season, Pavelec will be very affordable, especially if he has a break out year in 2010-11.

Flyers Re-Sign Forward Powe to One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have re-signed center Darroll Powe to a one-year contract worth $725,000. In 63 games last season with the Flyers, he had nine goals and six assists for 15 points and 54 penalty minutes. He also added one assist in 23 playoff games. Not a bad depth signing for Philadelphia, as Powe plays with plenty of energy and toughness and is also versatile since he can also play on the wing. He should be a solid player on the Flyers' checking lines next season.

NY Islanders Sign Forward Jeremy Yablonski

The New York Islanders have announced that they have signed right wing Jeremy Yablonski to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 27 games last season with Binghamton of the AHL, he had one goal and 128 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth signing for the Islanders, as Yablonski will likely spend all of next season in the minors, bringing plenty of toughness to their AHL affiliate.

Panthers Acquire Marty Reasoner from Blackhawks for Jeff Taffe

The Florida Panthers have announced that they have acquired center Marty Reasoner from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for left wing Jeff Taffe. The Blackhawks originally acquired Reasoner from the Atlanta Thrashers on June 24 in the Dustin Byfuglien trade. In 80 games last season with the Thrashers, Reasoner had four goals and 13 assists for 17 points. Taffe played in 21 games last season with the Panthers, scoring one goal and one assist. He also appeared in 61 games with Rochester of the AHL, scoring 28 goals and 28 assists for 56 points. Not a bad move for the Panthers, as Reasoner will bring some experience at center and skill to the checking lines. For the Blackhawks, it's another salary dumping trade, as they will free up $1.15 million, which will likely go toward re-signing goaltender Antti Niemi. Taffe doesn't really have a lot of upside at the NHL level and could play much of next season in the minors. If he does play any games with the Blackhawks, it will likely be on their fourth line.

NY Rangers Acquire McCue from Ducks for Zaborsky

The New York Rangers have announced that they have acquired defenseman Matt McCue from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for left wing Tomas Zaborsky. In 10 games last season with Manitoba of the AHL, McCue had one goal and 24 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 19 games with Bakersfield of the ECHL, scoring two assists and 68 penalty minutes. Zaborsky played in 43 games last season with Assat Pori of the Finnish Elite League, scoring nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as both players likely won't see any NHL action next season.

Ducks Sign Defenseman Syvret to One-Year Contract

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed defenseman Danny Syvret to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 21 games last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, he had two goals and two assists for four points. He also appeared in 15 games with Adirondack of the AHL, scoring five goals and eight assists for 13 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Ducks, as Syvret is likely to spend most of next season in the minors.

Senators Re-Sign Foligno, Bass

The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have re-signed left wing Nick Foligno to a two-year contract worth $2.4 million. The deal averages out to $1.2 million per season. The team also announced that they have re-signed center Cody Bass to a one-year, two-way contract worth $500,000 at the NHL level. Foligno isn't a bad signing for the Senators, as he has some two-way skill and works very hard on the ice. Bass plays with lots of toughness and is versatile since he can also play on the wing. However, he may find himself battling for a roster spot at training camp in the fall.

Sabres Re-Sign Forward Kaleta to Two-Year Contract

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have avoided arbitration with right wing Patrick Kaleta and re-signed him to a two-year contract worth $1.815 million. The deal will pay him 860,000 for the 2010-11 season and $955,000 for the 2011-12 season. In 55 games last season with the Sabres, he had 10 goals and five assists for 15 points and 89 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for Buffalo, as Kaleta plays with plenty of toughness and grit and also is a bit of an agitator. He also has a little two-way skill, making him an effective checking line forward for the Sabres.

Blues Re-Sign Forward David Perron to Two-Year Deal

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have re-signed left wing David Perron to a two-year contract worth $4.3 million. The deal averages out to $2.15 million per season. In all 82 games last season with the Blues, he had 20 goals and 27 assists for 47 points. This is a good signing for St. Louis, as Perron has plenty of offensive upside. He is also a good playmaker and puck handler, making him a very effective top-six forward for the team.

Flames Sign Meyer, Lamoureux; Re-Sign Watt

The Calgary Flames have announced that they have signed left wing Stefan Meyer to a two-year contract and goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux to a minor-league contract. The team also announced that they have re-signed right wing J.D. Watt to a one-year contract. The financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. These are nothing more than depth signings, as all three players will likely spend most of, if not all, next season in the minors.

Kings Re-Sign Richardson, Cliche, Elkins, Lewis, Clune

The Los Angeles Kings have announced that they have re-signed left wings Brad Richardson and Richard Clune, centers Marc-Andre Cliche and Corey Elkins, and right wing Trevor Lewis to one-year contracts. The Kings avoided arbitration with Richardson by signing him to the one-year deal. The financial terms of all five contracts were not disclosed. Richardson isn't a bad signing for the Kings, as he brings plenty of energy and some toughness to the lineup. Lewis isn't a bad signing either, as he has some two-way upside. Cliche, Clune, and Elkins are really just depth signings for the team and are likely to spend most of next season in the minors.

Canucks Re-Sign Defenseman Zimmerman to One-Year Deal

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Sean Zimmerman to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Canucks obtained the 23-year-old defenseman on March 3 from the Phoenix Coyotes along with a sixth round pick in 2010 for defenseman Mathieu Schneider. In 72 games last season with San Antonio of the AHL, Zimmerman had two goals and seven assists for nine points and 105 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signings for the Canucks. Zimmerman plays with a lot of grit and toughness, but given the depth on Vancouver's defense for next season, he likely spend most of it in the minors.

Penguins Sign Defenseman Corey Potter to One-Year Deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have signed defenseman Corey Potter to a one-year, two-way contract worth $500,000. In three games last season with the New York Rangers, he had no points. He also appeared in 69 games with Hartford of the AHL, scoring four goals and 24 assists for 28 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Penguins. Potter has good mobility and size, but needs a little more consistency to his game in order to stick full-time in the NHL. He will likely spend most of next season in the minors, though.

Devils Re-Sign Davis, Eckford, Magnan-Grenier

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have re-signed right wing Patrick Davis and defensemen Tyler Eckford and Olivier Magnan-Grenier to one-year contracts. Financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. These are really just depth signings for the Devils, as all three players will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Blackhawks Re-Sign Forward Skille to One-Year Contract

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have re-signed right wing Jack Skille to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In six games last season with the Blackhawks, he had one goal and one assist. He also appeared in 63 games with Rockford of the AHL, scoring 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points. Not a bad signing for the Blackhawks, as Skille has plenty of offensive potential and is also a fast skater. Given Chicago's salary cap situation and the number of salary dumping trades they have made in the off-season, Skille could very well make the team next season.

Thrashers Re-Sign Forward Anthony Stewart

The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have re-signed left wing Anthony Stewart to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 77 games last season with Chicago of the AHL, he had 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points and 67 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Thrashers, as Stewart plays with plenty of toughness and has some offensive potential. If he secures a roster spot with the Thrashers next season, it will likely be on one of the checking lines.

Blue Jackets Re-Sign Forward Chad Kolarik

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have re-signed right wing Chad Kolarik to a one-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He was acquired by the Blue Jackets on March 3 from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Alexandre Picard. In two NHL games last season with Columbus, Kolarik had no points. He also appeared in 76 games with San Antonio and Syracuse of the AHL, scoring 26 goals and 24 assists for 50 points. Not a bad depth move for the Blue Jackets, as Kolarik has some scoring upside and offensive potential. If he impresses enough at training camp, he could possibly earn a fourth line role in Columbus next season.

Predators Sign Jamie Lundmark to One-Year Deal

The Nashville Predators have announced that they have signed center Jamie Lundmark to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 36 games last season with the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs, he had five goals and seven assists for 12 points. He also appeared in 32 games with Abbotsford of the AHL, scoring nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Predators, as Lundmark has a little offensive skill and is versatile enough that he can also play on the wing. If he ends up securing a roster spot on the Predators next season, it will likely be as a fourth line forward.

Sabres Sign Defenseman Tim Conboy to One-Year Contract

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have signed defenseman Tim Conboy to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 12 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, he had no points and 24 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 37 games with Albany of the AHL, scoring three assists and 87 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Sabres, as Conboy plays with lots of toughness and has plenty of versatility since he can also play on the wing. However, he may have to compete for a roster spot at training camp with some of the Sabres' young and up-and-coming prospects.

Stars Sign Brad Lukowich, Re-Sign Ludwig, Fortunus, Sawada

The Dallas Stars have brought back a familiar face by signing defenseman Brad Lukowich to a one-year contract. He previously played with the Stars from 1997-2002. The team also announced that they have re-signed defensemen Trevor Ludwig and Maxime Fortunus and right wing Raymond Sawada to one-year, two-way contracts. The financial terms of all four deals were not disclosed. Lukowich isn't a bad depth signing for the team, as he will bring plenty of experience to the blueline. Ludwig, Fortunus, and Sawada are really just depth moves for the Stars and will likely have to fight for roster spots at training camp.

Panthers Re-Sign McArdle, Plante, Duco

The Florida Panthers have announced that they have re-signed left wings Kenndal McArdle and Mike Duco and goaltender Tyler Plante to one-year, two-way contracts. The financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. The McArdle signing isn't bad for the Panthers, as he plays with plenty of energy and brings toughness to the lineup. Look for him to try to secure a fourth line roster spot at training camp. Duco could make the team as a fourth line energy forward next season, but will have to battle for the role at training camp. Plante will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Flyers Sign Defenseman Jancevski to Two-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed free agent defenseman Dan Jancevski to a two-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 78 games last season with Texas of the AHL, he had three goals and 20 assists for 23 points and 71 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth signing for the Flyers. Jancevski has good size and plays with some toughness, but will likely spend most of next season in the minors, unless there is an injury to the Flyers' blueline.

NY Rangers Re-Sign Defenseman Mike Sauer

The New York Rangers have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Mike Sauer to a new contract. The exact length and financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 42 games last season with Hartford of the AHL, he had three goals and nine assists for 12 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Rangers, as Sauer is likely to spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Ducks Sign Defenseman Mikkelson to One-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Brendan Mikkelson to a one-year contract worth $687,500. In 28 games last season with the Ducks, he had two assists. He also appeared in 49 games with Toronto of the AHL, scoring seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points. Not a bad signing for the Ducks, as Mikkelson is a decent defensive prospect. He has a little offensive upside, moves the puck well, and has good size. There's a good chance he could earn a roster spot next season depending on how he does at training camp or any other off-season moves the Ducks make on defense.

Capitals Re-Sign Beagle, Gordon, Miskovic, McNeill, Joudrey

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have re-signed center Jay Beagle to a two-year contract and re-signed right wing Andrew Gordon, center Andrew Joudrey, and defensemen Zach Miskovic and Patrick McNeill to one-year contracts. The financial terms of all five deals were not disclosed. These are really just depth signings for the Capitals, as all five players are likely to spend most of next season with Hershey of the AHL.

Thrashers Part Ways with Forward Clarke MacArthur

The Atlanta Thrashers and Clarke MacArthur have parted ways. The team announced today that they have walked away from a one-year, $2.4 million arbitrator awarded contract for the 25-year-old forward. He is now an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team. The Thrashers acquired MacArthur on March 3 from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for third and fourth round draft picks in 2010. In 81 games last season with the Sabres and Thrashers, he had 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points. Can't say I blame Atlanta from walking away on this deal, as MacArthur isn't a very consistent forward and I think the arbitrator awarded him a little too much for his current skill level. However, he is a versatile forward, as he can play both center and on the wing, and he does have some offensive skill and speed. I imagine another team will probably sign him at some point during the off-season, and if he can have a good season in 2010-11 and show a little more consistency, then he may be in line for a $2 million contract next summer.

Wild Re-Sign Goaltender Khudobin to One-Year Contract

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Anton Khudobin to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In two games last season with the Wild, he posted a 2-0-0 record with a 0.87 GAA and a .979 save percentage. He also appeared in 40 games with Houston of the AHL, posting a 14-19-4 record, four shutouts, a 2.43 GAA, and a .907 save percentage. Not a bad signing for the Wild, as Khudobin has the potential to become a starting goaltender in the NHL. With Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding under contract for next season, Khudobin will likely play most of the season in the AHL, but could see some NHL action if either Backstrom or Harding become injured.

Hurricanes Re-Sign Pogge, Rodney, Carson

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Justin Pogge and defensemen Bryan Rodney and Brett Carson to one-year, two-way contracts. The financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. These are really just depth signings for the team. Pogge could possibly play backup to Cam Ward next season, but will likely have to fight for the role at training camp with Justin Peters. Rodney and Carson both have plenty of offensive instincts on the blueline, but may end up battling with each other for the sixth or seventh defensive spot at training camp.

Islanders Re-Sign Schremp, Kohn

The New York Islanders have announced that they have re-signed center Rob Schremp and defenseman Dustin Kohn to one-year contracts. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. Schremp had seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points in 44 games last season, while Kohn had four assists in 22 games. These are decent signings for the Islanders, as both players have plenty of promise. Schremp has plenty of offensive potential and has the ability to score goals and has good passing skills. Kohn plays a physical game and plays a sound defensive game. Schremp is basically a lock for the Islanders' roster next season, and Kohn could very well make the team as a sixth or seventh defenseman.

Bruins Re-Sign Campbell, McQuaid, Bodnarchuk

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have re-signed center Greg Campbell and defensemen Adam McQuaid and Andrew Bodnarchuk to one-year contracts. The financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. The Bruins acquired Campbell on June 22 from the Florida Panthers along with right wing Nathan Horton in exchange for defenseman Dennis Wideman, a first round pick in 2010, and a third round pick in 2011. The Campbell signing is not a bad one for the Bruins, as he is a versatile forward who plays with plenty of toughness. He's also good on the penalty kill, which makes him an effective forward for the team. McQuaid and Bodnarchuk are really just depth signings for the team. Both players play a physical game, while Bodnarchuk has some offensive upside, but will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Lightning Re-Sign Jones, Thompson, Szczechura

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have re-signed centers Blair Jones and Paul Szczechura to one-year contracts. The team also announced that they have avoided arbitration with left wing Nate Thompson and re-signed him to a one-year deal. The financial terms of all three contracts were not disclosed. These aren't bad depth signings for the Lightning. Jones has some offensive upside and can play a physical game when he needs to. Thompson plays with lots of energy and brings plenty of grit and toughness to the lineup. Szczechura has a little offensive skill and is good on the faceoff. Thompson and Szczechura will likely play fourth line roles on the team next season, whereas Jones may have to fight for a roster spot at training camp.

Oilers Re-Sign Peckham, O'Marra; Add Greg Stewart

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Theo Peckham and center Ryan O'Marra to one-year contracts. The team also announced that they have signed free agent left wing Greg Stewart to a one-year contract. The financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. These aren't bad signings for the Oilers. Peckham has some stay-at-home qualities and also plays with lots of toughness, while O'Marra brings versatility to the forward lines and some physical play. Stewart also plays with lots grit and toughness, but doesn't have a lot of offensive upside, so he will likely be a fourth line winger for the team.

Flames Re-Sign Sutter, Keetley, Chucko, Baldwin, Pelech

The Calgary Flames have announced a slew of minor-league signings over the past few days. The team has re-signed left wing Brett Sutter, goaltender Matt Keetley, right wing Kris Chucko, and defensemen Gord Baldwin and Matt Pelech to one-year contracts. The financial terms of all five deals were not disclosed. These aren't bad depth signings for the Flames. Sutter and Chucko both have a little offensive skill and play with some toughness. Pelech and Baldwin are both physical defensemen who play with lots of grit and toughness, while Keetley has some skill to become a backup goaltender at the NHL level one day. However, given the all the depth on the Flames roster, all five players are likely to spend most of next season in the minors.

Blues Re-Sign Hensick, Strachan, Reaves

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed newly acquired center T.J. Hensick to a one-year contract. The team also announced that they have re-signed defenseman Tyson Strachan to a one-year deal and right wing Ryan Reaves to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. Hensick was acquired by the Blues on June 17 from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for center Julian Talbot. The Hensick signing is not a bad one for St. Louis, as he has plenty of speed and some offensive upside. Strachan and Reaves are really just depth signings and will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Red Wings Re-Sign Defenseman Derek Meech

The Detroit Red Wings have announced that they have avoided arbitration with defenseman Derek Meech and signed him to a one-year contract worth $500,000. In 49 games last season with the Red Wings, he had two goals and four assists for six points. Not a bad depth signing for Detroit, as Meech has some offensive skill on the blueline and is also versatile in that he can also play on the wing. However, it's very likely that the Red Wings will trade him some time prior to the start of the 2010-11 season, as Meech has stated his dissatisfaction with being the seventh defenseman. He will be battling for the sixth defenseman spot at training camp with Jakub Kindl, Brendan Smith, and Doug Janik, so there is a good chance Meech could be with a new team in the fall if he can't secure a full-time roster spot.

Canadiens Re-Sign Desharnais, Russell, Desjardins

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they have re-signed center David Desharnais to a one-year contract and left wing Ryan Russell and goaltender Cedrick Desjardins to one-year, two-way contracts. The financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. These aren't bad depth signings for the Canadiens. Desharnais has lots of offensive skill and works very hard every shift on the ice, making him one of Montreal's top offensive prospects. Russell has some offensive upside, while Desjardins has some goaltending upside. All three players will likely spend most of next season in the minors, although if Desharnais impresses enough at training camp, he could earn a roster spot on the team.

Wild Sign Mikko Koivu to Seven-Year Extension

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have signed center and team captain Mikko Koivu to a seven-year contract extension worth $47.25 million. The deal averages out to $6.75 per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent next summer. In 80 games last season with the Wild, Koivu had 22 goals and 49 assists for 71 points. In 362 career NHL games, all with the Wild, he has 79 goals and 176 assists for 255 points. I'm a few days late posting this, but it is a great signing for Minnesota. Koivu is an excellent two-way forward who excels on the the power play. There's no doubt that he is the Wild's franchise player and will continue to be one of their top forwards for years to come.

Lightning Acquire Forward Simon Gagne from Philadelphia

According to rds.ca, the Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired left wing Simon Gagne from the Tamp Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Matt Walker and a fourth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Gagne, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, reportedly agreed to waive it earlier this month. In 58 games last season with the Flyers, he had 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points. Walker had two goals and three assists for five points and 90 penalty minutes in 66 games last season with the Lightning. Not a bad move for the Lightning, who are quickly becoming a much-improved team with the recent hiring of Steve Yzerman as general manager. Gagne is a decent two-way winger who can score goals and is good on the power play. The biggest knock against him is that he is extremely prone to injury, but if Gagne can stay healthy, he will be an excellent acquisition for the Lightning. Walker will bring plenty of toughness and grit to the Flyers' blueline.

Devils Sign Ilya Kovalchuk to Reported 17-Year Contract

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have re-signed winger Ilya Kovalchuk and they will announce the signing at a press conference on Tuesday. The deal is reportedly for 17 years and worth $102 million. The deal averages out to $6 million per season. It was reported on July 5 in the New York Post that the Devils and Kovalchuk were close on a seven year deal worth $60 million. The Los Angeles Kings were rumoured a potential destination for the 27-year-old winger, and in fact, contracts talks with the Kings reportedly started and stopped three times over the last few weeks as both sides attempted to come to an agreement. The Devils acquired Kovlachuk from the Atlanta Thrashers on February 4 along with Anssi Salmela and a second round draft pick in 2010 in exchange for Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, Patrice Cormier, a first round pick in 2010, and a second round pick in 2010. He had 41 goals and 44 assists for 85 points in 76 games. Finally, the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes is over! It will be interesting to see if the contract is the seven-year, $60 million one reported on July 5 or if it ends up being a different. When the Devils acquired Kovalchuk, it seemed like a great deal, as they were getting a decent goal-scorer who is great on the power play. However, he didn't seem to fit in very well with the team. As time goes on, hopefully Kovalchuk will be able to adjust more to the Devils' style of play.

EDIT
17 years is an awful long time to commit to a player who is already 27-years-old. I could see a seven year deal, but 17 years is far too long. The deal will expire when Kovalchuk is 44-years-old, so it will be interesting to see if he will actually play out the entire contract.

EDIT
The NHL has rejected Kovalchuk's 17-year contract on the grounds that it circumvents the salary cap. According to tsn.ca's Darren Dreger, the deal was rejected because the NHL does not believe that either Kovalchuk nor the Devils expect him to be playing near the end of the contract and that it is a case of artifically lowering the annual average value of the contract. The Devils must now file the contract once again or the NHLPA can file a grievance. I have no comment on the matter other than a 17-year contract was absolutely ridiculous in the first place. Looks like it's back to the drawing board for the Devils and Kovalchuk.

Blue Jackets Re-Sign Forward Tommy Sestito

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that they have re-signed left wing Tommy Sestito to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He appeared in three games with the Blue Jackets last season, scoring no points. He also played in 36 games with Syracuse of the AHL, scoring 10 goals and seven assists for 17 points and 138 penalty minutes. Not a terrible depth signing for Columbus, as Sestito plays with lots of grit and toughness, but doesn't have much offensive upside. With Jared Boll already signed for the next two seasons as the team enforcer, Sestito may not see much action with the Blue Jackets unless there is an injury to Boll or a fourth line forward.

Flyers Re-Sign Forward Laliberte

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have re-signed right wing David Laliberte to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 11 games last season with the Flyers, he had two goals and one assist for three points. He also appeared in 66 games with Adirondack of the AHL, scoring 18 goals and 28 assists for 46 points. Not a bad depth signing for Philadelphia, as Laliberte works hard on the ice and has some offensive upside. However, given the team's depth on offense for next season, he will likely spend most of next season in the minors, but could see some NHL action if there are any injuries.

Sabres Re-Sign Forward Whitmore

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have re-signed left wing Derek Whitmore to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 78 games last season with Portland of the AHL, he had 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points. This is rally nothing more than a depth signing for the Sabres, as Whitmore is likely to spend most of next season in the minors, where he will provide plenty of offensive depth for Portland.

Capitals Sign Forward Brian Willsie

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have signed right wing Brian Willsie to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In four games last season with the Colorado Avalanche, he had no points. He also appeared in 75 games with Lake Erie of the AHL, scoring 26 goals and 31 assists for 57 points. This is really nothing more than a depth signing for the Capitals, as Willsie is likely to spend most of next season in the minors, where he will bring plenty of two-way and scoring depth to Hershey of the AHL.

Wild Re-Sign Goaltender Harding to One-Year Deal

The Minnesota Wild announced on Wednesday that they have re-signed goaltender Josh Harding to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 25 games last season with the Wild, he posted a 9-12-0 record, one shutout, a 3.05 GAA, and a .905 save percentage. Not a bad signing for the Wild, as Harding has always been a solid backup goaltender for the team. He will play backup once again to Niklas Backstrom next season, but has lots of potential to become a starting goalie. If the Wild fall out of the playoff race next season, Harding's name will surely pop up in trade rumors close to the trade deadline. He will also be an unrestricted free agent next season, so there will likely be lots of interest in him should he hit the market on July 1, 2011.

Penguins Re-Sign Forward Chris Conner

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have re-signed right wing Chris Conner to a one-year, two-way contract worth $550,000. In eight games with the Penguins last season, he had two goals and one assist for three points. He also appeared in 59 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL, scoring 19 goals and 37 assists for 56 points. Not a bad depth signing for Pittsburgh, as Conner is a speedy winger who has been able to produce points at lower levels. He will likely spend most of next season in the minors, so he should be a decent offensive contributor for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Blue Jackets Re-Sign Right Wing Jared Boll

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have re-signed right wing Jared Boll to a two-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 68 games last season with the Blue Jackets, he had four goals and three assists for seven points and 149 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for Columbus, as Boll plays with lots of grit and toughness and has plenty of agitating qualities. However, don't expect to see him score very many points over the next two seasons, as he doesn't have very much offensive upside.

Flyers Re-Sign Daniel Carcillo to One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have avoided arbitration with left wing Daniel Carcillo and signed him to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 76 games last season with the Flyers, he had 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points and 207 penalty minutes. This is a great signing for the Flyers, as Carcillo is one of the top agitators in the league. He plays with lots of grit and toughness, is a great hitter, drives the opposition crazy, and has some two-way abilities. His major downside is that he draws way too many bad penalties with his side-show antics and often times throws some very questionable hits. If Carcillo could cut down on some of the antics, he probably could better his offensive game, but his physical play makes him one of the top enforcers in the game.

Canadiens Re-Sign Lapierre, Carle, Wyman

The Montreal Canadiens made a slew of signings yesterday by re-signing center Maxim Lapierre to a one-year contract worth $900,000, and defenseman and right wing J.T. Wyman to one-year, two-way contracts. The financial terms of Carle and Wyman's contracts were not disclosed. These aren't bad depth signings for the Canadiens, as Lapierre plays with plenty of grit and is a decent defensive forward. Carle has sound puckmoving skills, while Wyman has good size and plenty of versatility, but both players will likely spend most of next season in the minors given the depth of the Canadiens' roster at their respected positions.

Senators Re-Sign Defenseman Derek Smith

The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Derek Smith to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Smith appeared in two games with the Senators last season, scoring no points. He also played in 74 games with Binghamton of the AHL, scoring 14 goals and 37 assists for 51 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Senators, as Smith brings plenty of offensive skill to the blueline. However, he will likely spend most of next season with Binghamton.

NY Rangers Sign Jeremy Williams, Re-Sign Brodie Dupont

The New York Rangers have announced that they have signed right wing Jeremy Williams and re-signed center Brodie Dupont to new contracts. The exact length and financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. These are really just depth signing for the Rangers, as Williams and Dupont will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Stars Sign Free Agent Forward Travis Morin

The Dallas Stars have announced that they have signed center Travis Morin to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 80 games last season with Texas of the AHL, he had 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points. He has yet to play in an NHL game. Not a bad depth signing for the Stars, as Morin will bring plenty of scoring depth to Texas, although he will likely spend most of next season playing in the AHL.

Ducks Sign Free Agent Forward Josh Green

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed left wing Josh Green to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 47 games last season with MODO of the Swedish league, he had 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points and 79 penalty minutes. This is nothing more than a depth signing for the Ducks, as Green will likely spend most of next season in the minors, where he will provide plenty of toughness for the team's AHL affiliate.

Blues Re-Sign Drazenovic, Add Oystrick

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have re-signed center Nicholas Drazenovic to a one-year contract and signed free agent defenseman Nathan Oystrick to a one-year contract. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. Oystrick had his contract bought out by the Anaheim Ducks on June 30. These are really just depth signings for the Blues, as both players will likely spend most of next season in the minors. Oystrick will provide plenty of toughness to Peoria's blueline, while Drazenovic will bring plenty of scoring depth.

Sharks Sign Defenseman Sean Sullivan

The San Jose Sharks have announced that they have signed defenseman Sean Sullivan to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 77 games last season with San Antonio of the AHL, he had 12 goals and 37 assists for 49 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really nothing more than a depth signing for the Sharks, as Sullivan is likely to spend most of next season in the minors, where he will provide lots of offensive blueline depth for Worcester of the AHL.

Oilers Re-Sign Dubnyk, Jacques, Add Belle

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Devan Dubnyk to a two-year contract worth $1.6 million and re-signed left wing Jean-Francois Jacques to a one-year contract. The team also announced that they have signed free agent defenseman Shawn Belle to a one-year, two-way contract. Dubnyk's deal averages out to $800,000 per season, while the financial terms of Jacques and Belle's contracts were not disclosed. Not bad depth signings for the Oilers, as Dubnyk has lots of size and the potential to become a starting goaltender, while Jacques plays with lots of grit and toughness. Belle is a very physical defenseman, but his lack of NHL experience will likely keep him in the minors for most of next season.

Hurricanes Re-Sign Forward Nick Dodge

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have re-signed center Nick Dodge to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 80 games last season with Albany of the AHL, he had 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points. Really just a depth signing for the Hurricanes, Dodge will likely spend most of next season in the minors. If he does play with the Hurricanes next season, it would probably be on the fourth line.

Canucks Re-Sign O'Brien, Glass; Add Weiman

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Shane O'Brien and left wing Tanner Glass to one-year contracts. By signing Glass, the Canucks have avoided going to arbitration with him. The team also announced that they have signed free agent goaltender Tyler Weiman to a one-year contract. Financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. The O'Brien and Glass signings are decent ones for the Canucks, as both players bring lots of grit and toughness to their respected positions. Weiman is nothing more than a depth signing, as he is likely to spend most of next season in the minors.

Blackhawks to Match Offer Sheet for Niklas Hjalmarsson

Just days after the San Jose Sharks sent restricted free agent defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson an offer sheet for a four-year contract worth $14 million, the Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they will match the offer and retain the young Swedish defenseman. The deal will average out to $3.5 million per season. The Blackhawks had seven days to accept or decline the offer sheet. If they had declined the offer, they would have received San Jose's first and third round picks in the 2011 Entry Draft. In 77 games last season with Chicago, Hjalmarsson had two goals and 15 assists for 17 points. In what some will call a dirty move by the Sharks, the Blackhawks should have sent Hjalmarsson to arbitration to avoid having something like this happen, especially since they are operating right at the salary cap ceiling right now. In my opinion, the Blackhawks should have let Hjalmarsson go, as at this point in his career, he is not worth a first round pick even if he was traded for one. However, he does have some puckmoving skill, plays with some grit, and can play a lot of minutes, so he has the potential to develop into a solid top-four defenseman. Only time will tell if the Blackhawks made the right move on retaining Hjalmarsson.

Flyers Sign Greg Moore to One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed right wing Greg Moore to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In four games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, he had no points. He also appeared in 78 games with Syracuse and Bridgeport of the AHL, scoring 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Flyers, as Moore is likely to spend most of next season in the minors, providing plenty of offensive depth for the team's AHL affiliate.

Stars Re-Sign Forward Gagnon

The Dallas Stars have announced that they have re-signed center Aaron Gagnon to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He appeared in two games with the Stars last season, scoring no points. He also played in 78 games with Texas of the AHL, scoring 27 goals and 31 assists for 58 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Stars, as Gagnon is likely to spend most of next season in the minors, where he will provide plenty of offensive skill for Texas.

NY Rangers Acquire Eminger from Ducks for Voros, Hillier

The New York Rangers have announced that they have acquired defenseman Steve Eminger from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for left wings Aaron Voros and Ryan Hillier. In 63 games last season with the Ducks, Eminger had four goals and 12 assists for 16 points. Voros appeared in 41 games with the Rangers last season, scoring three goals and four assists for seven points and 89 penalty minutes. Hillier appeared in four games with Hartford of the AHL, scoring no points. He also played in 22 games with Wheeling and Charlotte of the ECHL, scoring two goals and five assists for seven points. This is really just a depth move for both teams. Eminger will bring some size and offensive skill to the Rangers' blueline, while Voros will bring lots of grit and toughness to the Ducks' forward lines. Hillier give the Ducks a young forward with some offensive potential, so he could earn a roster spot with the team down the road.

Flyers Sign Free Agent Forward Nikolai Zherdev

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed free agent right wing Nikolai Zherdev to a one-year contract worth $2 million. He last played in the NHL during the 2008-09 season with the New York Rangers, scoring 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points. However, the team decided to let him become and unrestricted free agent after walking away from a one-year, $3.9 million contract awarded in arbitration last summer. He spent last season in the KHL with Atlant Mytischi, scoring 13 goals and 26 assists for 39 points in 52 games. Not a bad signing for the Flyers, as Zherdev has plenty of offensive skill and is a great skater, though he hasn't shown enough dedication at the NHL level to be a star player. The signing puts the Flyers $1.4 million over the salary cap and has led to a lot of speculation that the Flyers are shopping winger Simon Gagne. However, Gagne's injury history and $5.25 million salary cap hit will make it difficult to move him. Keep your eyes on this one folks, as it's bound to get interesting.

Blues Sign Defenseman Brennan Evans

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed defenseman Brennan Evans to a two-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 79 games last season with Toronto of the AHL, he had one goal and seven assists for eight points and 199 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Blues, as Evans will likely spend most, if not all, of the next two seasons in the minors, where he will bring lots of toughness to the blueline of Peoria of the AHL.

Oilers Sign Ben Ondrus & Brad Moran to One-Year Deals

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have signed right wing Ben Ondrus to a one-year, two-way contract and center Brad Moran to a one-year deal. The financial terms of both contracts were not disclosed. These are really just depth signings for the Oilers, as neither player is likely to make much of an impact to the team. Ondrus could make the team next season on the fourth line, where he will bring lots of toughness, while Moran will likely spend most of next season in the minors, bringing plenty of offensive depth to the Oilers' AHL affiliate.

Predators Sign Defenseman Brett Palin

The Nashville Predators have announced that they have signed defenseman Brett Palin to a one-year, two-way contract contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 21 games last season with Abbotsford of the AHL, he had three assists. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Predators, as Palin will likely play most of next season in the minors, bringing plenty of defensive depth to their AHL affiliate.

NY Islanders Re-Sign Defenseman Reese

The New York Islanders have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Dylan Reese to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He was acquired by the Islanders on March 1 from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Greg Moore. In 19 games last season with New York, he had two goals and two assists for four points. He also appeared in 52 games with Syracuse and Bridgeport of the AHL, scoring five goals and 19 assists for 24 points. Not a bad signing for the Islanders, as Reese was decent in his few games with the team last season. He's a very mobile defenseman with some puckmoving skill, so it wouldn't surprise me if he plays most of next season with the Islanders.

NY Rangers Re-Sign Defenseman Dan Girardi

The New York rangers have announced that they have avoided arbitration with defenseman Dan Girardi and signed him to a four-year contract worth $13.3 million. The deal averages out to $3.325 million per season. In all 82 games last season with the Rangers, he had six goals and 18 assists for 24 points. Not a bad signing for the Rangers, as Girardi brings plenty of offensive skill to the blueline. He is also good at blocking shots and has good size, making him a very effective top-four defenseman for the team.

Capitals Sign Eric Fehr to Two-Year Contract

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have avoided arbitration with right wing Eric Fehr and signed him to a two-year contract worth $4.4 million. The deal averages out to $2.2 million per season. In 69 games last season with Washington he had 21 goals and 18 assists for 39 points. Not a bad signing for the Capitals, as Fehr is starting to develop into a quality scoring winger. He has good and improving offensive skills and can also score goals. He should be a decent top nine, maybe even top six forward for the team next season depending on how he performs offensively.

Wild Re-Sign Forward Robbie Earl

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have re-signed left wing Robbie Earl to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 32 games last season with Minnesota, he had six goals. He also appeared in 41 games with Houston of the AHL, scoring 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points. Really just a depth signing for the Wild, although Earl brings plenty of speed and versatility to the wing. He will likely battle for a fourth line role on the team next season at training camp in the fall.

Blackhawks Re-Sign Goaltender Toivonen, Defenseman Cullimore

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Hannu Toivonen and defenseman Jassen Cullimore to one-year contracts. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. Toivonen was acquired by the Blackhawks on March 1 from St. Louis along with Danny Richmond in exchange for goaltender Joe Fallon and defenseman Daryl Boyle. Cullimore signed as a free agent with the team in February. These are really just depth signings for the team, although, given Chicago's salary cap issues, it actually wouldn't surprise me if both players were able to secure roles on the team next season as long as their salaries aren't expensive, which I imagine they shouldn't be.

Bruins Re-Sign Defenseman Stuart, Forward Lovecchio

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Mark Stuart and left wing Jeff Lovecchio to one-year contracts. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. Stuart isn't a bad re-signing for the Bruins. He's a very physical blueliner with good stay-at-home abilities. Lovecchio is really just a depth signing for the team, as he will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Blue Jackets Sign Goaltender LeNeveu

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have signed goaltender David LeNeveu to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Last season he appeared in 34 games with Salzburg of the Austrian league, posting a 2.69 GAA and a .904 save percentage. This is really nothing more than a depth signing for the Blue Jackets, as LeNeveu will likely spend most of next season in the minors. If he does play with the Blue Jackets, it will likely be in the event of an injury, but will still probably be the backup in such a scenario.

Maple Leafs Sign Defenseman Lebda, Re-Sign Forward Brent

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have signed defenseman Brett Lebda to a two-year contract worth $2.9 million. The deal averages out to $1.45 million per season. The Maple Leafs also announced that they have re-signed center Tim Brent to a one-year contract. Financial terms of his deal were not disclosed. The Lebda signing isn't a bad one for Toronto, as he is a very mobile defenseman with some offensive upside. Brent is nothing more than a depth signing and will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Avalanche Re-Sign Yip, Add Walter

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that they have re-signed right wing Brandon Yip to a two-year contract and signed free agent center Ben Walter to a one-year contract. Financial terms of both their deals were not disclosed. These aren't bad depth signings for the Avalanche. Yip brings plenty of energy and offensive skill to the lineup, while Walter brings defensive skill to the team, but does not have a lot of scoring upside at the NHL level. As a result, he will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Sharks Re-Sign Defenseman Jay Leach

The San Jose Sharks announced today that they have re-signed defenseman Jay Leach to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He was acquired by San Jose off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens last December. In 35 games last season with the Canadiens and Sharks, he had one goal and one assist for two points and 25 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth signing for the Sharks. Leach is a gritty, tough, defensive defenseman, but will likely spend much of next season as a seventh defenseman, and potentially, a frequent healthy scratch.

Hurricanes Add Corvo, Re-Sign Blanchard, Borer

The Carolina Hurricanes brought back a familiar face today by signing defenseman Joe Corvo to a two-year contract worth $4.5 million. The deal averages out to $2.25 million per season. The Hurricanes originally traded Corvo to the Washington Capitals on March 3 for defenseman Brian Pothier, forward Oskar Osala, and a second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. The team also announced today that they have re-signed left wing Nicholas Blanchard to a two-year, two-way contract and defenseman Casey Borer to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of their deals were not disclosed. The Corvo signing is a good one for the Hurricanes, as he brings lots of offensive skill to the blueline and power play. The Blanchard and Borer signings are really just depth moves for the club, as both players will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Penguins Sign Defenseman Andrew Hutchinson

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have signed defenseman Andrew Hutchinson to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 78 games last season with Texas of the AHL, he had nine goals and 29 assists for 38 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Penguins, although Hutchinson is likely to spend most of next season in the minors. He has decent offensive skill and is good at moving the puck, so he should make a nice addition to the Penguins' AHL affiliate.

Panthers Sign Paetsch, Re-Sign Garrison

The Florida Panthers added some defensive depth to their roster to day by signing defenseman Nathan Paetsch to a one-year contract. The team also announced that they have re-signed defenseman Jason Garrison to a two-year contract. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. These are not bad depth signings for the Panthers, as both players will bring defensive depth to the club. Paetsch is a versatile player, as he can also play on the wing, and is a decent skater, while Garrison brings offensive and puckmoving skill to the blueline.

Capitals Re-Sign Schultz, Add Fahey, Greentree

The Washington Capitals announced today that they have avoided arbitration with defenseman Jeff Schultz and signed him to a four-year contract worth $11 million. The deal averages out to $2.75 million per season. The team also announced that they have signed defenseman Brian Fahey to a one-year contract and left wing Kyle Greentree to a two-year contract. Financial terms of both of their deals were not disclosed. Schultz isn't a bad signing for the Capitals, as he brings plenty of defensive depth and great size to the blueline. Greentree and Fahey are really nothing more than depth signings, as they will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Red Wings Sign Eaves to One-Year Contract

The Detroit Red Wings announced today that they have signed right wing Patrick Eaves to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 65 games last season with Detroit, he had 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points. Not a bad signing for the Red Wings, as Eaves is a good skater, has a little offensive upside, and is versatile enough to play both wings. He should continue to be a good fit to Detroit's checking lines next season.

Thrashers Re-Sign Forward Boulton

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have re-signed left wing Eric Boulton to a one-year contract worth $650,000. In 62 games last season with Atlanta, he had two goals and six assists for eight points and 113 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Thrashers, as Boulton plays with lots of grit and toughness and is a good enforcer for the team. However, he doesn't have much offensive upside, so don't expect to see him contribute a lot to the score sheet.

Sabres Sign Rob Niedermayer, Re-Sign Patrick Lalime

The Buffalo Sabres added some offensive depth today by signing center Rob Niedermayer to a one-year contract worth $1.15 million. The team also announced the re-signing of Patrick Lalime to a one-year contract. Financial terms of his deal were not disclosed. The Niedermayer signing is not a bad one for the Sabres, as he brings plenty of veteran depth and two-way skill to the team and is good on the penalty kill. The Lalime signing is an interesting one, as he hasn't been that impressive in the previous two seasons with Buffalo, but does bring some veteran depth in goal. However, there's still plenty of goaltending talent left on the free agent market and the Sabres probably could have brought in a better backup than Lalime.

Senators Sign Forward Corey Locke

The Ottawa Senators announced today that they have signed center Corey Locke to 2 year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He appeared in three games last season with the New York Rangers, scoring no points. This is really just a depth signing for the Senators, as Locke will likely spend most of the next two seasons in the minors. At the minor league level, he brings plenty of scoring depth and is a good stickhandler, so he should be an excellent fit for Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators

Report: Nabokov Signs Deal to Play in Russia

According to multiple reports, goaltender Evgeni Nabokov has signed a four-year contract to play with St. Petersburg of the KHL. He became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but is still on the market as teams have gone for less expensive options in goal. In 71 games last season with the San Jose Sharks, Nabokov posted a 44-16-10 record, three shutouts, a 2.43 GAA, and a .922 save percentage. He has played his whole NHL career in San Jose. I'm actually kind of surprised by these reports, as Nabokov seemed to be on a lot of teams' radars. More than likely, his asking price was too much for many NHL teams, who have opted to go for more affordable goaltending talent this summer. The KHL just got themselves a very talented goalie.

***UPDATE***
The deal is reported now to be a six-year contract worth $24 million.

Flames Sign Free Agent Forward Stone

The Calgary Flames announced tonight that they have signed center Ryan Stone to a one-year contract worth $500,000. If he is sent to the AHL, he will make $105,000. In 27 games last season with the Edmonton Oilers, he had six assists and 48 penalty minutes. He missed more than half the 2009-10 season after having arthroscopic knee surgery on October 22, 2009. Really just a depth signing for the Flames, Stone should bring some toughness to the wing if he plays on the team next season.

Predators Sign Sergei Kostitsyn to One-Year Contract

The Nashville Predators announced today that they have signed newly acquired right wing Sergei Kostitsyn to a one-year contract worth $550,000. He was acquired by the Predators on June 29 from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for goalie Dan Ellis and forward Dustin Boyd. In 47 games last season with the Canadiens, Kostitsyn had seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points. He also appeared in 16 games with Hamilton of the AHL, scoring four goals and nine assists for 13 points. He also added two goals and three assists in four games with Belarus at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. This is a very affordable signing for the Predators, and I'm very impressed that they were able to sign Kostitsyn for so little and that he didn't hold out for more money or threaten to go to the KHL. He is a very shifty winger who has some offensive upside, but has questionable work ethics and a poor attitude. Depending on how he plays next season and if he clashes at all with the Predators' management will be big factors if Kostitsyn gets a longer contract or a raise next summer.

Wild Re-Sign Forward DiSalvatore, Defenseman Fraser

The Minnesota Wild announced today that they have re-signed right wing Jon Disalvatore to a two-year contract and defenseman Jamie Fraser to a one-year deal. The financial terms of both contracts were not disclosed. These are really just depth signings for the Wild, as both players will likely spend all of next season in the minors, where they will provide plenty of depth at their respected positions for Houston of the AHL.

Capitals Sign Forward Boyd Gordon to One-Year Deal

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have re-signed center Boyd Gordon to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 36 games last season with the Capitals, he had four goals and six assists for 10 points. He missed much of the 2009-10 season with a back injury. Not a bad signing for the Capitals, as Gordon is a good defensive forward. He's also good on faceoffs and is versatile, as he can play both center and on the wing. He doesn't have a lot of offensive ability and isn't a very consistent scorer, so he will likely continue to play on the Capitals' third or fourth lines next season.

Red Wings Re-Sign Forward Miller to One-Year Deal

The Detroit Red Wings announced today that they have re-signed left wing Drew Miller to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Wings from the Tampa Bay Lightning last November. In 80 games with the Red Wings and Lightning last season, he had 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Red Wings, as Miller was a fairly steady forward for the team last season. He's not a bad defensive forward and works very hard on the ice, so he should continue to perform well for the Red Wings next season.

Lightning Re-Sign Purcell, Lundin

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that they have re-signed left wing Teddy Purcell and defenseman Mike Lundin to one-year contracts. The financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. Purcell, who was acquired on March 3 from Los Angeles for Jeff Halpern and a third round draft pick in 2010, had six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 60 games last season. In 49 games with the Lightning last season, Lundin had three goals and 10 assists for 13 points. He also appeared in 27 games with Norfolk of the AHL, scoring two goals and 14 assists for 16 points. These aren't bad signings for the Lightning, as both players bring plenty of depth to their respected positions. Purcell gives the team some offensive ability and is versatile, as he can play on both wings, while Lundin has good puckmoving skills and is a mobile blueliner.

Blues Re-Sign Cam Janssen

The St. Louis Blues announced today that they have re-signed tough guy right wing Cam Janssen to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Yesterday, he had opted to go to salary arbitration later this summer, but signed the new deal before his arbitration date was set. He had no points and 190 penalty minutes in 43 games last season with the Blues. Not a bad signing for St. Louis, as Janssen brings lots of toughness and grit to their lineup. However, don't expect to see him contribute very much to the score sheet on a game-to-game basis, as he doesn't have any offensive upside.

Hurricanes Sign Goaltender Peters to Two-Year Contract

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Justin Peters to a two-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In nine games last season with the Hurricanes, he posted a 6-3-0 record, with a 2.83 GAA, and a .905 save percentage. He also appeared in 47 games with Albany of the AHL, posting a 26-18-2 record, one shutout, a 2.54 GAA, and a .917 save percentage. Not a bad depth signing for Carolina, as Peters has decent size for a goaltender and works hard on the ice. He will likely be the backup to Cam Ward next season, so he should provide some stability in net for the Hurricanes.

Blues Sign Jaroslav Halak to Four-Year Deal

The St. Louis Blues announced today that they have signed newly acquired goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a four-year contract worth $15 million. The deal will pay him $2.75 million in 2010-11, $3.5 million in 2011-12, $4.25 million in 2012-13, and $4.5 million in 2013-14. The Blues acquired Halak from the Montreal Canadiens on June 17 in exchange for prospect forwards Lars Eller and Ian Schultz. In 45 games last season with the Canadiens, he posted a 26-13-5 record, five shutouts, a 2.40 GAA, and a .924 save percentage. This is a great signing for the Blues, as Halak is a very solid goaltender who has good focus. Halak's fine play in the regular season and playoffs has made him a great starting goaltender, so he should be an excellent fit for the team.

Former NHL Forward Bob Probert Passes Away

One of the toughest and most feared fighters in the history of the NHL has passed away. Former left wing Bob Probert died on Monday after he collapsed from chest pains while on a boat with family in Lake St. Clair just outside of Windsor, Ontario. Emergency workers attempted to revive Probert on the shoreline, but to no avail. A former third round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 1983, Probert appeared in 935 career NHL games over 17 seasons with the Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. He scored 163 goals and 221 assists for 384 points and 3300 penalty minutes. He ranks fifth all-time in NHL history in career penalty minutes behind Dave "Tiger" Williams (3966), Dale Hunter (3565), Tie Domi (3515), and Marty McSorley (3381). Throughout his NHL career, Probert's fights against the likes of Tie Domi, Marty McSorley, John Kordic, Gary Nylund, Al Secord, Wendel Clark, Dave Semenko, and Bob McGill, among others, became the stuff of legends and he gained a huge fan base with his rugged, physical style of play and offensive skill, scoring 29 goals and 62 points in only his third NHL season. He gained some notoriety in 1989 when he was suspended by the NHL for attempting to smuggle cocaine across the U.S.-Canadian border, which resulted in him missing nearly all of the 1989-90 season. He would struggle with cocaine and alcohol addiction throughout his career and into retirement. In July 1994, he was involved in a motorcycle accident and suffered some minor injuries, but police determined his blood alcohol content at the time was three times the legal limit and he also had traces of cocaine in his system. Probert was released by the Red Wings organization that summer and signed as a free agent with their divisional rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played from 1995-96 to 2001-02. He missed the lockout shortened 1994-95 season after being suspended for violating the NHL's substance abuse policy. Despite all of his troubles outside of hockey, Probert was a well-liked player who was respected by many and will be missed by the hockey community as a whole. I was fortunate enough to grow up watching Probert play hockey and loved his rugged style of play. I always loved to watch a good scrap of his, especially his bouts with Tie Domi, and have been a fan of his for years. It's sad to see him leave this world so soon, but my memories of him will last a lifetime.

Bruins Sign Goaltender Schaefer to One-Year Contract

The Boston Bruins announced today that they have signed goaltender Nolan Schaefer to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 22 games last season with CSKA Moscow of the KHL, he posted a 6-10-1 record, one shutout, a 2.66 GAA, and a .895 save percentage. This is really just a depth signing for the Bruins, as they are already set in goal for next season with Tuukka Rask and Tim Thomas. Schaefer will likely spend most, if not all, of next season in the minors.

Lightning Sign Defenseman Clark to Two-Year Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that they have signed defenseman Brett Clark to a two-year contract worth a reported $6 million. The deal averages out to $3 million per season. In 64 games last season with the Avalanche, he had three goals and 17 assists for 20 points. In 517 career NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Thrashers, and Colorado Avalanche, he has 34 goals and 105 assists for 139 points. Not a bad signing for the Lightning, as Clark will bring plenty of veteran depth to the team's defense. He's not a bad puckmoving defenseman and will be a good mentor for the young blueliners in Tampa Bay.

Blues Re-Sign Defenseman Colaiacovo

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo to a two-year contract worth $4.25 million. The deal averages out to $2.125 million per season. In 67 games last season with the Blues, he had seven goals and 25 assists for 32 points. Not a bad signing for the Blues, as Colaiacovo has been a fairly steady defenseman for the team since being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008. He has good puckmoving skills, plenty of offensive skill, and is an excellent special teams player. His main downfall is his injury history, so if he can stay healthy over the next two seasons, he should be a decent player on the blueline.

Canucks Sign Forward Bolduc to One-Year Contract

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have signed center Alexandre Bolduc to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He had no points in 15 games last season with the Canucks. He also appeared in 13 games with Manitoba of the AHL, scoring two goals and one assist for three points. He missed considerable time last season with a shoulder injury. Not a bad depth signing for the Canucks, as Bolduc has some decent two-way skill and plays with some toughness. If he makes the team next season, look for him to be playing on the checking lines.

Oilers Sign First Round Pick Taylor Hall

The Edmonton Oilers announced today that they have signed left wing and 2010 frist round pick Taylor Hall to a three-year entry-level contract. The deal includes the maximum base salary of $900,000 per season on an entry-level contract, and he could end up making $3 million per season depending on how many performance bonuses he reaches. In 57 games last season with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, he had 40 goals and 66 assists for 106 points. This is a great signing for the Oilers, as Hall is a very talented youngster who will be an excellent fit to the team for years to come. He has lots of goal-scoring skill and plenty of speed up the wing, making him a superb player in the Oilers rebuilding plans.

Report: Kovalchuk to Sign Seven-Year Deal with Devils

According to the New York Post, the New Jersey Devils are on the verge of signing left wing Ilya Kovalchuk to a seven-year contract worth $60 million. The deal will average out to $8.57 million per season. The Los Angeles Kings dropped out of the running for Kovalchuk on Sunday, while the New York Islanders are reportedly interested in his services and are prepared to offer him a long-term, lucrative deal. This will be an interesting signing for the Devils if the deal goes through, as Kovalchuk did not appear to fit in very well with the team last season. It sounds like this deal could be finalized today, so we'll see what happens.

Maple Leafs Re-Sign Mitchell, Add Zigomanis

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have re-signed center John Mitchell to a one-year contract and signed center Mike Zigomanis to a one-year contract. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. In 60 games last season with the Maple Leafs, Mitchell had six goals and 17 assists for 23 points. Zigomanis appeared in 27 games with Djurgarden of the Swedish League, scoring four goals and seven assists for 11 points. He also played in seven games with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, scoring 13 assists. These aren't bad depth signings for the Maple Leafs, as Mitchell and Zigomanis will give the team some depth at center. Mitchell plays with a little toughness and has some two-way skill, while Zigomanis brings some playmaking skill to the team.

Sabres Sign Defenseman Mike Weber to One-Year Deal

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Mike Weber to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 80 games last season with Portland of the AHL, he had five goals and 16 assists for 21 points and 153 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Sabres, as Weber is a very physical defenseman who plays with lots of grit and toughness. He will likely compete for a roster spot at training camp in the fall.

Penguins Sign Sterling to One-Year Contract

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Saturday that they have signed left wing Brett Sterling to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 55 games last season with Chicago of the AHL, he had 34 goals and 22 assists for 56 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Penguins, as Sterling has decent offensive potential and has a good shot. However, nearly all of his offensive success has come at the minor league level and hasn't had much success at the NHL level. If he can prove himself at training camp in the fall, he could possibly get a roster spot on the fourth line for the 2010-11 season.

Bruins Sign McIver, Re-Sign McKelvie

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have signed defenseman Nathan McIver to a two-year contract and re-signed defenseman Zach McKelvie. The financial terms of McIver's deal were not disclosed, while the exact length and financial terms of McKelvie's contract were not disclosed. These are really just depth signings for the Bruins, as McIver and McKelvie will likely spend most of next season in the minors. McIver is the more likely of the two to play in the NHL next season. If he does, he will provide plenty of defensive depth and toughness on the blueline.

Oilers Sign Forward Giroux to One-Year Contract

The Edmonton Oilers announced on Saturday that they have signed left wing Alexandre Giroux to a one-year contract worth $500,000. In nine games with the Washington Capitals last season, he had one goal and two assists for three points. He also appeared in 69 games with Hershey of the AHL last season, scoring 50 goals and 53 assists for 103 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Oilers, as Giroux is a very talented goal-scorer at the minor league level. If he spends a lot of time with Edmonton's AHL affiliate next season, he will definitely bring the team lots of offensive depth and goal-scoring skill. At the NHL level, Giroux is really just a fourth-line forward, but in an increased role, he could provide some offensive depth on the checking lines for the Oilers.

Red Wings Sign Goaltender MacDonald and Forwards Minard, Johnson

The Detroit Red Wings made a few depth signings Friday night as they have signed goaltender Joey MacDonald, left wing Chris Minard, and center Jamie Johnson to contracts for the 2010-11 season. The exact length and financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. These are depth signings for the Red Wings at best, as the team appears to be already set in goal and offense for next season. MacDonald isn't a bad signing for the team, as he was part of the Red Wings' organization from 2002 to 2007 and will be very familiar with the style of play of their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, so he should fit in there quite nicely. Minard and Johnson will likely spend most of next season with Grand Rapids, where they should provide adequate offensive depth for the club. If they do see any time with the Red Wings, it will likely be in the event of an injury.

Thrashers Sign Forward Ross and Defenseman Sifers

The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have signed center Jared Ross and defenseman Jaime Sifers to contracts for the 2010-11 season. The exact length and financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. As with some the more recent signings, these are just depth moves for the Thrashers for their minor league affiliate in Chicago. If Ross or Sifers play with Atlanta next season, it will likely be in the event of an injury to a regular roster player.

Ducks Sign Forward Trevor Smith

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed left wing Trevor Smith to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This is just a depth signing for the Ducks, as Smith will likely spend most of next season in the minors where he will bring plenty of scoring depth and versatility to their AHL affiliate, as he can play both center and on the wing.

Coyotes Sign Ebbett, Climie, Yonkman, Stafford

The Phoenix Coyotes have announced that they have signed center Andrew Ebbett to a one-year contract and also signed goaltender Matt Climie and defensemen Nolan Yonkman and Garrett Stafford to contracts for the 2010-11 season. The financial terms of Ebbett's deal were not disclosed. The exact length and financial terms of the other contracts were not disclosed. Not a bad depth signing in Ebbett, as he has plenty of speed and could become an okay scorer at the NHL level. The Climie, Yonkman, and Stafford signings are nothing more than depth signings, as all three players will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Avalanche Re-Sign Winnik, Quincey, Grahame, Talbot, Add Liffiton, Mauldin, Van Der Gulik, Bacashihua

The Colorado Avalanche made a slew of signings Friday night by re-signing defenseman Kyle Quincey and center Daniel Winnik to two-year contracts and center Julian Talbot and goaltender John Grahame to one-year deals. The team also signed defenseman David Liffiton, center Greg Mauldin, right wing David Van Der Gulik, and goaltender Jason Bacashihua to one-year contracts. Financial terms of all the deals were not disclosed. The Avalanche acquired Winnik from the Phoenix Coyotes for a fourth round pick in 2012 on June 28 and Talbot from the St. Louis Blues for forward T.J. Hensick on June 17. The Winnik and Quincey signings are good ones for the Avalanche. Winnik is a good penalty killer and will bring some defensive skill to the checking lines, while Quincey brings plenty of offense and toughness to the blueline. The rest of the players are nothing more than depth signings, as nearly all of them are likely to spend most of next season in the minors.

Report: Islanders May Make Large Offer for Kovalchuk

According to NHL Insider Darren Dreger on tsn.ca, there is some talk that the New York Islanders might make a lucrative, long-term contract offer to free agent forward Ilya Kovalchuk. Thew Islanders are currently under the salary cap floor, and such an offer to Kovalchuk would help them get over the cap floor. It will be interesting to see if Kovalchuk could sign with the Islanders, as he has stated before that he wants to play for a Stanley Cup contender, and the Islanders are far from being contenders at this point in time. Only time will tell who he will sign with, but I imagine it could happen any day now.

Penguins Sign Forward Ryan Craig to One-Year Deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have signed left wing Ryan Craig to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This is an okay depth signing for the Penguins, as Craig does possess some offensive skill, but injuries have effected his game. He does have some two-way skill and plays with some toughness, so he could play a role on Pittsburgh's fourth line next season.

Sabres Re-Sign Forward McCormick

The Buffalo Sabres announced today that they have re-signed center Cody McCormick to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He appeared in 66 games last season with Portland of the AHL, scoring 17 goals and 12 assists for 29 points and 168 penalty minutes. He also appeared in three playoff games with the Sabres, scoring two assists and 14 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth signing for Buffalo, as McCormick doesn't really have a lot of offensive upside at the NHL level and is just a physical forward. However, at the minor league level, he has had some success at scoring points, so he will provide some offensive depth for Portland next season.

Blues Re-Sign Brad Winchester

The St. Louis Blues announced today that they have re-signed left wing Brad Winchester to a new contract. The exact length and financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 64 games last season with the St. Louis, he had three goals and five assists for eight points and 108 penalty minutes. This is a decent signing for the Blues, as Winchester has lots of size, plays with plenty of toughness, and can chip in points from time to time.

NY Rangers Re-Sign Brandon Prust

The New York Rangers announced on Friday that they have signed right wing Brandon Prust to a new contract. The exact length and financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Not a bad signing for the Rangers, as Prust adds lots of grit and toughness to their lineup. He also has decent defensive skills and is versatile, as he can play both wings.

Maple Leafs Re-Sign Kulemin, Add Richmond

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have re-signed left wing Nikolai Kulemin to a two-year contract worth $4.7 million. The deal averages out to $2.35 million per season. The team also announced that they have signed defenseman Danny Richmond to a one-year contract. Financial terms of his deal were not disclosed. The Kulemin signing is a decent one for the Maple Leafs, as he has good two-way skills and has plenty of offensive upside. Richmond is really just a depth signing for the team, but if he does play with the Maple Leafs next season, he will provide plenty of toughness on the blueline.

Predators Sign Forwards Lombardi and Andersson, Re-Sign Laakso

The Nashville Predators added some much needed offensive depth to their lineup on Friday by signing center Matthew Lombardi to a three-year contract worth $10.5 million. The deal averages out to $3.5 million per season. The Predators also signed right wing Jonas Andersson and defenseman Teemu Laakso to one-year contracts. Financial terms of their deals were not disclosed. The Lombardi signing is a good one for Nashville, as he will bring scoring depth, excellent two-way skills, and lots of speed to their forward lines. Andersson and Laakso are really nothing more than depth signings and are likely to spend most of next season in the minors.

Islanders Sign Eaton, Jurcina, Konopka, Parenteau, Re-Sign Lawson

The New York Islanders made a slew of free agent signings today by signing defenseman Mark Eaton to a two-year contract, defenseman Milan Jurcina, center Zenon Konopka, and right wing Pierre Parenteau to one-year contracts. The Islanders also re-signed goaltender Nathan Lawson to a one-year, two-way contract. The financial terms of all five deals were not disclosed. These aren't bad signings for the Islanders, as they added depth to every area of their team. Eaton and Jurcina both bring plenty of defensive depth to the team, despite the fact the latter is sometimes a defensive liability as he turns over the puck too often. Konopka will add lots of grit and toughness to the checking lines, while Parenteau will add some offensive depth down the wing on the checking lines. Lawson will likely spend most of next season in the minors, so his signing won't have a lot of impact on the team.

Panthers Sign Free Agent Forwards Higgins, Grant, Thomas

The Florida Panthers added some offensive depth to their lineup on Friday by signing left wings Chris Higgins and Triston Grant and right wing Bill Thomas to one-year contracts. Higgins' contract is worth $1.6 million, while the financial terms of Grant's and Thomas' contracts were not disclosed. The Higgins signing is not a bad one for the Panthers, as he will bring plenty of scoring depth to the wing despite struggling offensively over the past few seasons. Grant and Thomas are really just depth signings for the club, as they are likely to spend most of next season in the minors.

Lightning Sign Defenseman Kubina to Two-Year Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning added a familiar face to the lineup on Friday by signing defenseman Pavel Kubina to a two-year contract worth $7.7 million. The deal averages out to $3.85 million per season. He was a member of the Lightning from 1997 to 2006 and helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2004. This is a good signing for Tampa Bay, as Kubina has great size, lots of offensive skill, a good shot, and plays with plenty of toughness. Plus he brings plenty of veteran depth to the blueline, something the Lightning have been in need of for the past few seasons.

Oilers Add MacIntyre, Petiot, Re-Sign Strudwick

The Edmonton Oilers added some toughness to their lineup on Friday by signing left wing Steve MacIntyre and defensemen Richard Petiot and Jason Strudwick to one-year contracts. Financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. These aren't bad signings for the Oilers, as all three players will add toughness to the lineup. MacIntyre will bring lots of grit and toughness to the checking lines, while Strudwick will provide toughness and veteran depth to the team's defense. Petiot also brings toughness to the blueline, but will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Blue Jackets Sign Guenin, Wilson, Re-Sign Frischmon

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Friday that they have signed defenseman Nate Guenin and centers Kyle Wilson and Trevor Frischmon to one-year, two-way contracts. The financial terms of all three deals were not disclosed. These are nothing more than depth signings for the Blue Jackets, as all three players will likely spend most, if not all, of next season in the minors.

Devils Re-Sign Forward Pelley

The New Jersey Devils announced today that they have re-signed center Rod Pelley to a new contract. The exact length and financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Not a bad depth signing for the Devils, as Pelley will bring plenty of energy to the third or fourth lines and is very versatile, as he can play both center and on the wing.

Wild Sign Forward Peters, Defenseman Bagnall

The Minnesota Wild announced today that they have signed center Warren Peters to a two-year, two-way contract and defenseman Drew Bagnall to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. These are really nothing more than depth signings for the Wild, as both players will likely spend most of next season in the minors. If they play at all with the Wild in 2010-11, Peters will bring plenty of toughness to the lineup, while Bagnall will bring grit and toughness to the blueline.

Capitals Sign Goaltender Sabourin to One-Year Deal

The Washington Capitals announced today that they have signed goaltender Dany Sabourin to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Not a bad depth signing for the Capitals, but they will likely go with Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth as their goaltending tandem next season. If either Varlamov or Neuvirth should struggle or miss time due to injury, Sabourin will provide solid goaltending skills as a backup.

Blackhawks Sign Defenseman John Scott

The Chicago Blackhawks announced late Thursday night that they have signed defenseman John Scott to a two-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This is not a bad signing for Chicago, as Scott will bring lots of size and toughness to the blueline. He's also a versatile player, as he can play both defense and left wing.