Blackhawks Walk Away from Niemi, Blues Re-Sign Johnson, Islanders Buy Out Witt

Here are some of the top stories in the NHL for August 2, 2010:

• The Chicago Blackhawks have walked away from an arbitrator's one-year, $2.75 million contract handed out to goaltender Antti Niemi. He is now an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any team. To replace Niemi, the Blackhawks have signed free agent goaltender Marty Turco to a one-year contract worth $1.3 million.
• The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Erik Johnson to a two-year contract worth $5.2 million. The deal averages out to $2.6 million per season.
• The New York Islanders have bought out the final year of defenseman Brendan Witt's contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. He was set to make $3 million next season.
• The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have traded forward Todd White to the New York Rangers in exchange for forwards Patrick Rissmiller and Donald Brashear. The Thrashers will reportedly place Brashear on waivers and buy out his contract if he clears.