Bruins Acquire Khudobin from Wild for Penner, Lehtonen

In the final deal on Trade Deadline Day, the Boston Bruins have acquired goaltender Anton Khudobin from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Jeff Penner and the rights to left wing Mikko Lehtonen. Khudobin and Penner are eligible for restricted free agency this summer, while Lehtonen is currently playing for Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League and is not signed to an NHL contract. His last NHL contract expired last summer, but che hose to play in Sweden this season instead of sign an NHL deal with the Bruins. Khudobin has appeared in four games with the Wild this season, posting a 2-1-0 record, one shutout, a 1.59 GAA, and a .942 save percentage. He has also appeared in 34 games with Houston of the AHL, posting a 19-12-1 record, with a 2.58 GAA and a .911 save percentage. Penner has played in 57 games with Providence of the AHL this season, scoring five goals and 14 assists for 19 points, while Lehtonen has 29 goals and 27 assists for 56 points in 52 games with Skelleftea. Not a bad depth move for the Bruins, as Khudobin has the skills to at least be a backup goaltender at the NHL level. He has good puck-stopping abilities and is very agile, so could possibly become a backup to Tuukka Rask one day after Tim Thomas has retired from hockey. Penner gives the Wild an offensive-minded defenseman who has some puckmoving skill, but is a bit undersized for a blueliner. Still, he has plenty of upside and could earn a roster spot with the Wild down the road. Lehtonen brings lots of size and some offensive potential to the Wild, so he may be able to earn a roster spot on the team down the road as well.

Thrashers Acquire Brett Festerling from Canadiens for Drew MacIntyre

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have acquired defenseman Brett Festerling from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for goaltender Drew MacIntyre. Festerling will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer, while MacIntyre will be an unrestricted free agent. Festerling, who was acquired by the Canadiens this past December from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Maxim Lapierre, has no points in one game with the Ducks this season. He never suited up in a game with the Canadiens. He has also appeared in 48 games with Syracuse and Hamilton of the AHL, scoring three goals and 13 assists for 16 points. MacIntyre has played in 20 games with Chicago of the AHL, posting a 12-5-1, with a 2.91 GAA and a .906 save percentage. He has not appeared in an NHL game this season. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as both players will likely spend most of the rest of the season in the minors. The Thrashers get a hard-working defenseman in Festerling who can chip in offensively from time to time, so he could end up as their sixth or seventh defenseman down the road. MacIntyre adds more depth in goal for Montreal as they head into the playoffs, though it remains to be seen if he will play any games with the club.

Capitals Acquire Jason Arnott from Devils for David Steckel

The Washington Capitals have added some much needed depth at center by acquiring Jason Arnott from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for center David Steckel and a second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. Arnott will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, while Steckel still has two more seasons left on his current contract. In 62 games this season with the Devils, Arnott has 13 goals and 11 assists for 24 points, while Steckel has five goals and six assists for 11 points in 57 games with the Capitals. Not a bad move for the Capitals, as Arnott brings them the second line center they have been seeking for much of the season. He also brings a good shot and some skill to the power play. For the Devils, they good a good faceoff man in Steckel, who is also versatile enough to play on the wing. He also has good size and some skill on the penalty kill, so he should be a good addition for New Jersey.

Flyers Acquire Sestito from Blue Jackets for Moore, Chaput

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have acquired left wing Tom Sestito from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for left wing Greg Moore and the rights to prospect center Michael Chaput. Sestito will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer, while Moore will be an unrestricted free agent. In nine games with the Blue Jackets this season, Sestito has two goals and two assists for four points and 40 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 45 games with Springfield of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points and 186 penalty minutes. Moore has appeared in 56 games with Adirondack of the AHL, scoring seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points, while Chaput has 22 goals and 32 assists for 54 points and 84 penalty minutes with Lewiston of the QMJHL. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as all three players will likely spend the rest of the season in the minors. Sestito will bring some toughness to the Flyers' AHL affiliate, and could perhaps earn a fourth line role with the team next season. Chaput brings the Columbus organization some scoring upside and plenty of toughness, while Moore brings offensive depth to their AHL affiliate.

Canucks Acquire Lapierre, Sharp from Ducks for Perrault, Draft Pick

The Vancouver Canucks announced today that they have acquired centers Maxim Lapierre and MacGregor Sharp from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for center Joel Perrault and a third round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. Lapierre and Sharp will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer, while Perrault will be an unrestricted free agent. Lapierre was acquired by the Ducks this past December from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Brett Festerling. In 59 games this season with the Canadiens and Ducks, Lapierre has five goals and six assists for 11 points and 72 penalty minutes, while Sharp has six goals and seven assists for 13 points in 49 games with Syracuse of the AHL. Perrault has appeared in seven games this season with the Canucks, scoring no points. He has also played in 26 games with Manitoba of the AHL, scoring three goals and 13 assists for 16 points. Not a bad move for the Canucks, as Lapierre will bring lots of grit and toughness to their checking lines, as well as some versatility. However, he lacks discipline and can grate on his teammates as well as the opposition. If he can play a more disciplined game, Lapierre could really help the team in the playoffs. With Brandon McMillan's emergence in Anaheim, Lapierre became expendable to the team. As for Sharp and Perrault, they will likely spend the rest of the season in the minors and probably won't see any NHL action unless injuries start to mount for both Anaheim and Vancouver.

Flames Acquire Fredrik Modin from Thrashers

The Calgary Flames announced today that they have acquired left wing Fredrik Modin from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for a seventh round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Modin will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 36 games this season with the Thrashers, he has seven goals and three assists for 10 points. He has missed 22 games altogether this season due to injuries. Not a bad depth move for the Flames, as Modin will bring plenty of offensive skill, two-way ability, and goal-scoring insurance to the team. Despite being injury prone and a bit inconsistent, Modin is a solid veteran addition for the surging Flames.

Canucks Acquire Chris Higgins from Panthers for Evan Oberg, Draft Pick

The Vancouver Canucks added some offensive depth on Trade Deadline Day by acquiring left wing Chris Higgins from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Evan Oberg and a third round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft. Higgins, who is currently sidelined with a broken thumb, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, while Oberg has one more year left on his current deal. In 48 games this season with the Panthers, Higgins has 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points. Oberg appeared in two games this season with the Canucks, scoring no points. He has also played in 37 games with Manitoba of the AHL, scoring seven goals and four assists for 11 points. Not a bad move for the Canucks, as Higgins will bring plenty of offensive depth to their third and fourth lines. He will also bring some two-way ability to the team, as well as some skill to the penalty kill. In Oberg, the Panthers get a puckmoving defenseman with some offensive instincts to help them in their rebuilding process.

NY Rangers Acquire John Mitchell from Maple Leafs

The New York Rangers announced today that they have acquired center John Mitchell from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a seventh round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. Mitchell will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 23 games this season with the Maple Leafs, he has two goals and one assist for three points. He has also appeared in nine games with Toronto of the AHL, scoring one goal and four assists for five points. Not a bad depth move for the Rangers, as Mitchell will bring some versatility to the checking lines and skill to the power play and penalty kill. Right now, he is in the minors, so it's possible he could be called up before the end of the season. Mitchell never fit in well with the Maple Leafs, so a new start with the Rangers could help him get his NHL career back on track.

Kings Acquire Dustin Penner from Oilers for Colten Teubert, Draft Picks

The Los Angeles Kings announced today that they have acquired left wing Dustin Penner from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for prospect defenseman Colten Teubert, a first round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft, and a conditional third round pick in 2012. The third round pick can become a second round pick if the Kings make the playoffs this season. Penner still has one more year left on his current contract, while Teubert still has two years left on his entry-level deal. In 62 games this season with Edmonton, Penner has 21 goals and 18 assists for 39 points, while Teubert has two goals and eight assists for 10 points and 57 penalty minutes in 39 games with Manchester of the AHL. This is a good move for the Kings, as Penner will bring the top-six winger the team had been seeking all season. He will bring plenty of goal-scoring talent to the team, as well as a physical presence, and should fit in very well with the team. The Kings did give up a premium to land Penner, and the draft picks can help the Oilers continue to rebuild their team. In Teubert, Edmonton gets a very physical blueliner who has all-around upside. He will likely jump into the Oilers' lineup next season, but could possibly play some NHL games this season if the team feels he's ready to make the jump to the NHL.

Ducks Acquire Brad Winchester from Blues

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that they have acquired left wing Brad Winchester from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a third round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. Winchester will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 57 games this season with the Blues, he has nine goals and five assists for 14 points and 86 penalty minutes. Not a bad move for the Ducks, as Winchester will bring lots of toughness and size to their team. The Ducks have become one of the more physical teams in the NHL, so Winchester's gritty style of play should fit in well there. For the Blues, they likely weren't going to retain Winchester this summer anyway, so they will be able to add a future asset with the draft pick.

Hurricanes Acquire Bryan Allen from Panthers for Sergei Samsonov

The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that they have acquired defenseman Bryan Allen from the Florida Panthers in exchange for left wing Sergei Samsonov. Allen still has one more year left on his current contract, while Samsonov will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 53 games this season with the Panthers, Allen has four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 63 penalty minutes, while Samsonov has 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points in 58 games. Not a bad move for the Hurricanes, as Allen will bring some much-needed shutdown skill to the team's blueline. He also has lots of size and plays with plenty of toughness, so he should be a good fit for Carolina. In Samsonov, the Panthers add some offensive depth to their forward lines, but this move is a salary dumping trade for them in getting rid of Allen. Samsonov likely won't be retained over the summer unless he has a good finish to the season.

Blackhawks Acquire Chris Campoli from Senators for Ryan Potulny

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have acquired defenseman Chris Campoli and a conditional seventh round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for center Ryan Potulny and a conditional second round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Both players will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. The conditional second round pick going to Ottawa will be Chicago's choice of three second picks they own in 2011. The seventh round pick going to Chicago is conditional on Potulny re-signing with Ottawa this summer. In 58 games this season with Ottawa, Campoli has three goals and 11 assists for 14 points. Potulny has appeared in three games this season with Chicago, scoring no points. He has also played in 58 games with Rockford of the AHL, scoring 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points. Not a bad move for the Blackhawks, as Campoli will bring some puckmoving skill to the team's defense, which will help with the loss of Jordan Hendry to a lower body injury. However, it remains to be seen if Chicago will be able to retain Campoli beyond this season given their salary cap constraints. Potulny will bring the Senators a bottom-six forward and some offensive depth to a team that has seen a mass exodus of players over the past several weeks. The biggest part of this trade for Ottawa is the conditional second round pick, which can help them restock their team with youth.

Avalanche Acquire Shawn Belle from Oilers for Kevin Montgomery

The Colorado Avalanche announced today that they have acquired defenseman Shawn Belle from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Kevin Montgomery. Shawn Belle will qualify for group six unrestricted free agency this summer, while Montgomery will qualify for restricted free agency this summer. In five games this season with the Oilers, Belle has no points. He has also appeared in 39 games with Oklahoma City of the AHL, scoring three goals and 17 assists for 20 points and 61 penalty minutes. Montgomery has played in 51 games this season with Lake Erie of the AHL, scoring two goals and 17 assists for 19 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as both players will likely spend the rest of the season in the minors. Belle will bring plenty of toughness to Lake Erie's blueline, while Montgomery will bring some puckmoving skill to Oklahoma City.

Coyotes Acquire Klesla, Byers from Blue Jackets for Upshall, Lepisto

The Phoenix Coyotes announced today that they have acquired defenseman Rostislav Klesla and left wing Dane Byers from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for right wing Scottie Upshall and defenseman Sami Lepisto. Klesla still has three years left on his current contract, while Upshall will be an unrestricted free agent, while Lepisto and Byers will be eligible for restricted free agency. In 45 games this season with Columbus, Klesla has three goals and seven assists for 10 points. Byers, who was acquired by the Blue Jackets from the New York Rangers this past November in exchange for Chad Kolarik, has 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points and 120 penalty minutes in 64 games with Hartford/Connecticut and Springfield of the AHL. Upshall has 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points in 61 games with the Coyotes, while Lepisto has four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 51 games. Not a bad deal for both teams, as it addresses needs for both of them. The Coyotes get a shutdown defender in Klesla who can play a lot of minutes and also some much needed defensive depth with the current injuries to Ed Jovanovski and Adrian Aucoin. In Upshall, the Blue Jackets get some offensive depth on the wing, as well as a fiery player even though he is a bit prone to injury. Lepisto will bring some offensive depth and puckmoving skill to the Columbus blueline, which will help with the loss of Klesla. Byers will likely play the rest of the season in the minors and won't make an impact on the Phoenix roster.

Red Wings Sign Jimmy Howard to Two-Year Contract

The Detroit Red Wings announced today that they have signed goaltender Jimmy Howard to a two-year contract extension worth $4.5 million. The deal averages out to $2.25 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 47 games this season with Detroit, he has a 30-12-3 record, two shutouts, a 2.79 GAA, and a .908 save percentage. This is a good move for the Red Wings, as Howard has become a reliable goaltender for the team over the past two seasons. He brings solid depth in goal and is quick to make saves. However, he does have consistency issues and can let in bad goals from time to time, but is still a very solid goaltender. Plus, his $2.25 million per season is very affordable for his caliber and a very salary cap friendly contract for Detroit.

Thrashers Claim Rob Schremp Off Waivers from NY Islanders

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have claimed center Rob Schremp off waivers from the New York Islanders. He will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 45 games this season with the Islanders, he has 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points. Not a bad depth move for the Thrashers, as Schremp will bring some goal-scoring ability and passing skills to the team. He also adds some depth at center after the Thrashers dealt Rich Peverley to the Boston Bruins last week. He has struggled a bit this season in New York after having a fine season in 2009-10, so perhaps a fresh start in Atlanta can help him improve his game offensively.

Senators Claim Curtis McElhinney Off Waivers from Lightning

The Ottawa Senators announced today that they have claimed goaltender Curtis McElhinney off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning acquired the 27-year-old goalie from the Anaheim Ducks on February 24 in exchange for goaltender Dan Ellis. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 21 games this season, he has a 6-9-1 record, two shutouts, a 3.43 GAA, and a .890 save percentage. This is really just a depth move for the Senators, as McElhinney will likely become the backup to Craig Anderson. Robin Lehner will likely be sent back to the minors for the rest of the season to help Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Binghamton make a push for the AHL playoffs.

Flames Claim Brett Carson Off Waivers from Hurricanes

The Calgary Flames announced today that they have claimed defenseman Brett Carson off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes. He will be a free agent this summer. In 13 games this season with Carolina, he has no points. He has also appeared in 38 games with Charlotte of the AHL, scoring four goals and 16 assists for 20 points. This is really just a depth move for the Flames, as Carson will likely be a seventh defenseman for the team. He does have good size and can chip in offensively, so he's not a bad option for the Flames if they should lose a defenseman to injury.

Capitals Acquire Dennis Wideman for Jake Hauswirth, Draft Pick

The Washington Capitals announced today that they have acquired defenseman Dennis Wideman in exchange for prospect center Jake Hauswirth and a third round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Wideman has one more year left on his current contract and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, while Hauswirth has one more year remaining on his entry-level deal. In 61 games so far this season, Wideman has nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points, while Hauswirth has 10 goals and four assists for 14 points in 37 games with South Carolina of the ECHL. Not a bad move for the Capitals, as Wideman will bring lots of offensive depth to the team's blueline. He can also log lots of minutes and is good on the power play. With Mike Green currently sidelined indefinitely with a head injury, the need for another offensive blueliner in Washington was important. For the Panthers, they get a marginal prospect in Hauswirth who has some bottom-six forward skill, but is still a few seasons away from landing a regular NHL roster spot.

Thrashers Sign Mark Stuart to Three-Year Extension

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have signed defenseman Mark Stuart to a three-year contract extension worth $5.1 million. The deal averages out to $1.7 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 26-year-old defenseman was acquired by the Thrashers on February 18 from the Boston Bruins with Blake Wheeler in exchange for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik. In 35 games this season with Boston and Atlanta, Stuart has one goal and four assists for five points and 33 penalty minutes. Not a bad move for the Thrashers, as Stuart brings lots of defensive depth to their blueline. He brings lots of shutdown skills to the team's defense and some physical play, so he should be a good fit for the team over the next three years.

Kings Sign Justin Williams to Four-Year Contract

The Los Angeles Kings announced today that they have signed right wing Justin Williams to a four-year contract worth $14.6 million. The deal averages out to $3.65 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 62 games this season, he has 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points and 53 penalty minutes. Not a bad move for the Kings, as Williams brings lots of offensive depth to the wing. He also has some speed and some defensive skills. His only downside is that he is a bit prone to injury, but when healthy, Williams can be a good scorer and offensive contributor for the Kings. If he can stay healthy over the next four years, he will be a solid contributor for Los Angeles.

Thrashers Acquire Dvorak from Panthers for Bergfors, Rissmiller

In the first trade on Trade Deadline Day, the Atlanta Thrashers have acquired right wing Radek Dvorak from the Florida Panthers in exchange for right wing Niclas Bergfors and left wing Patrick Rissmiller. Dvorak and Rissmiller will be unrestricted free agents this summer, while Bergfors will be eligible for restricted free agency. In 53 games with the Panthers, Dvorak has seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points. Bergfors has 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 52 games with the Thrashers, while Rissmiller has no points on only one game. He has spent the majority of the season with Lake Erie of the AHL. This trade works for both teams. Dvorak brings plenty of two-way skill, lots of experience on the penalty kill, and veteran offensive depth to the Thrashers as they make a push for the playoffs. The Panthers get a young scorer in Bergfors to help them in their rebuilding process. Despite struggling in Atlanta this season, he has plenty of offensive potential and could become a steady scorer for Florida. Rissmiller brings veteran offensive depth down the wing, but could continue to play in the minors for the rest of the season, depending on how many players the Panthers deal throughout the day.

EDIT

The Thrashers also acquired a fifth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft from the Panthers in the trade.

Sabres Acquire Brad Boyes from Blues

The Buffalo Sabres announced late Sunday evening that they have acquired right wing Brad Boyes from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a second round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. He still has one year left on his current contract with a $4 million salary cap hit. In 62 games this season, he has 12 goals and 29 assists for 41 points. Not a bad move for the Sabres, as Boyes will bring plenty of offensive depth to the forward lines. He also has good goal-scoring and playmaking skills, but is a bit inconsistent in his scoring. Perhaps the move to Buffalo will help Boyes pick up his offensive production a bit.

Senators Sign Chris Phillips to Three-Year Extension

The Ottawa Senators announced late Sunday evening that they have signed defenseman Chris Phillips to a three-year contract extension worth $9.25 million. The deal averages out to $3.08 million and includes a no-movement clause. Phillips had been the subject of trade rumors for the last month as the Senators began a downward spiral through the standings that has left them in last place in the Eastern Conference. Instead of waiving his no-trade clause to facilitate a trade to another team by the February 28 trade deadline, Phillips opted to remain with the team to mentor the young players. In a rather disappointing season for the 32-year-old blueliner, he has one goal and four assists for five points in 62 games. This is a decent move for the Senators, as Phillips has always been a steady player back on the team's blueline. He is an excellent shutdown defenseman with good mobility and a decent shot and will be an excellent mentor for the younger defensemen in Ottawa, as well as provide some stability on the blueline.

Ducks Acquire McGrattan, Zimmerman from Bruins for Laliberte, Chaput

The Anaheim Ducks announced late Sunday evening that they have acquired right wing Brian McGrattan and defenseman Sean Zimmerman from the Boston Bruins in exchange for right wing David Laliberte and center Stefan Chaput. All four players will be free agents this summer. In 39 games this season with Providence of the AHL, McGrattan has five points and 97 penalty minutes. Zimmerman, who the Bruins acquired from the Florida Panthers this past December, has four points in 30 games with Providence and Rochester of the AHL. Laliberte, who was acquired by the Ducks from the Philadelphia Flyers this past November, has 18 points and 52 penalty minutes in 48 games with Adirondack and Syracuse of the AHL. Chaput, who was acquired by the Ducks from the Carolina Hurricanes this past November, has 10 points in 47 games this season with Charlotte and Syracuse of the AHL. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as all four players will likely play out the rest of the season in the minors. Laliberte does have some upside, so he could end up being a good acquisition for the Bruins, whereas Chaput will just bring offensive depth for Providence. For the Ducks, McGrattan and Zimmerman will bring lots of grit and toughness at their respected positions in Syracuse.

Blackhawks Sign Brent Seabrook to Five-Year Contract

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have signed defenseman Brent Seabrook to a five-year contract extension worth $29 million. The deal averages out to $5.8 million per season and includes a limited no-trade clause. He would have been eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 61 games so far this season, he has four goals and 29 assists for 33 points. Not a bad signing for the Blackhawks in terms of defensive depth, as Seabrook brings some offensive skill to the blueline. He can also play a lot of minutes, has good size, and skates well. However, this deal does not help out the Blackhawks' salary cap situation and is going to likely handcuff them down the road. They will likely have to sacrifice depth on other areas of the team in future seasons to remain salary cap compliant. This deal could make it very difficult for the Blackhawks to attempt to retain Patrick Sharp next summer, as well as comfortably retain restricted free agents Troy Brouwer, Corey Crawford, Jake Dowell, and Michael Frolik this summer.

Bruins Sign Shane Hnidy to One-Year Contract

The Boston Bruins announced today that they have signed defenseman Shane Hnidy to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The contract will be for the rest of the 2010-11 season, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. Hnidy had been on a professional tryout contract with the team since February 23 and will begin his second stint with the Bruins, previously playing there from 2008 to 2009. In 70 games last season with the Minnesota Wild, he had two goals and 12 assists for 14 points and 66 penalty minutes. In 547 career NHL games with the Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, and Minnesota Wild, he has 16 goals and 55 assists for 71 points and 631 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth signing for the Bruins, as Hnidy is likely being signed as defensive insurance for the playoffs. He will bring plenty of grit and toughness to the blueline as a seventh defenseman and should fit in nicely after already playing in Boston for parts of two seasons.

Thrashers Sign Chris Thorburn to Three-Year Extension

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have signed center Chris Thorburn to a three-year contract extension worth $2.601 million. The deal averages out to $867,000 per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 62 games this season, he has seven goals and nine assists for 16 points and 51 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Thrashers, as Thornburn has had a decent season as the team's fourth line center. He has good size, plays with lots of toughness, and is decent at killing penalties. While he isn't a great skater or an offensive producer, he brings plenty of depth and grit to the checking lines.

NY Rangers Acquire Bryan McCabe from Panthers for Tim Kennedy, Draft Pick

The New York Rangers announced today that they have acquired defenseman Bryan McCabe from the Florida Panthers in exchange for center Tim Kennedy and a third round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. McCabe, who had to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate the trade, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, while Kennedy will qualify for restricted free agency at season's end. In 48 games this season with the Panthers, McCabe has five goals and 17 assists for 22 points and 28 penalty minutes. Kennedy has 12 goals and 30 assists for 42 points in 53 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack/Connecticut Whale of the AHL. He has not appeared in an NHL game yet this season. This is a good move for the Rangers, as McCabe will bring some much needed veteran depth and offensive skill to the team's blueline. He also brings a good shot, leadership, skill on the power play, and some toughness to New York's defense. Kennedy will bring the Panthers plenty of energy and playmaking skill up the middle. However, it remains to be seen if he will suit up with Florida or remain in the AHL.

Blue Jackets Claim Craig Rivet Off Waivers from Sabres

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that they have claimed defenseman Craig Rivet off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres. The 36-year-old blueliner, who was also the captain of the Sabres, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 23 games this season, he has one goal and two assists and has been a frequent healthy scratch. Not a bad move for the Blue Jackets, as Rivet will bring lots of veteran depth, leadership, and grit to the blueline. With Columbus currently three points out of the playoffs in the Western Conference, Rivet will bring some much needed defensive depth to the club as they look to make the playoffs for only the second time in franchise history.

Flyers Claim Nick Boynton Off Waivers from Blackhawks

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have claimed defenseman Nick Boynton off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks. The 32-year-old blueliner will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 41 games this season with Chicago, he has one goal and seven assists for eight points and 36 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth move for the Flyers, as Boynton will bring plenty of grit, toughness, and defensive depth to their blueline. He will replace Oskars Bartulis, who is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, as the team's seventh defenseman.

Capitals Claim Marco Sturm Off Waivers from Kings

The Washington Capitals announced today that they have claimed left wing Marco Sturm off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings. Sturm, who was acquired by the Kings on December 11 from the Boston Bruins in exchange for future considerations, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 17 games this season with the Kings, he has four goals and five assists for nine points. He never appeared in any games this season with the Bruins. He has missed 45 games altogether this season with two separate knee injuries. Not a bad depth move for the Capitals, as they are getting a speedy forward in Sturm. He is also an excellent stickhandler and good on the power play and penalty kill. For the Kings, the addition of Sturm was a big disappointment, and now that his salary is off their books, they will have some salary cap space to possibly make a significant deal by the trade deadline for a power forward.

Panthers Acquire Alexander Sulzer from Predators

The Florida Panthers announced today that they have acquired defenseman Alexander Sulzer from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a conditional seventh round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 31 games this season with the Predators, he has one goal and three assists. Not a bad depth move for the Panthers, as Sulzer will provide some offensive depth to the blueline, especially if the the team trades Bryan McCabe by the February 28 trade deadline, but likely as a third pairing defenseman. While Sulzer wouldn't completely replace McCabe's skill level, he will at least keep some offense on Florida's blueline. As for the Predators, Sulzer was a frequent scratch this season and had recently become expendable with rookie Jonathan' Blum's decent play as of late. Blum will likely remain in the NHL now for the rest of the season.

Hurricanes Acquire Cory Stillman from Panthers for Ryan Carter

The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that they have acquired left wing Cory Stillman from the Florida Panthers in exchange for center Ryan Carter and a fifth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Stillman, who is beginning his second stint with Carolina, will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He previously played with the Hurricanes from 2005 to 2008 and won the Stanley Cup with the team in 2006. Carter, who was acquired by the Hurricanes earlier this season from the Anaheim Ducks for Stefan Chaput and Matt Kennedy, will also be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 44 games with the Panthers, Stillman has seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points, while Carter has one goal and five assists for six points in 50 games with the Ducks and Hurricanes. Not a bad move for the Hurricanes, as Stillman will bring plenty of offensive and veteran depth to the team as they try to lock down a playoff spot. Carter will bring some checking depth to the Panthers, but little more than that.

Canadiens Acquire Sopel, Dawes from Thrashers for Maxwell, Draft Pick

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they have acquired defenseman Brent Sopel and left wing Nigel Dawes from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for center Ben Maxwell and a fourth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Sopel will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, while Dawes and Maxwell will be eligible for restricted free agency. In 59 games this season, Sopel has two goals and five assists for seven points, while Dawes has one assist in nine games. He has spent the majority of the season with Chicago of the AHL and will now report to Hamilton of the AHL. Maxwell has 11 goals and 29 assists for 40 points in 47 games with Hamilton and will now report to the Chicago Wolves. Not a bad depth move for the Canadiens, as Sopel will bring some much-needed depth to their injury-ravaged blueline. He can play lots of minutes and brings lots of shot blocking skill to the team. Dawes does bring some goal-scoring skill to Montreal, but is very inconsistent in his scoring. He will look to salavage his NHL career with the Canadiens, but if he cannot, this will likely be his last stop in the NHL. Maxwell brings some two-way skill to the Thrashers, but likely won't make much of an impact this season. With the emergence of rookie center David Desharnais this season, Maxwell became expendable to Montreal.

Senators Claim Marek Svatos Off Waivers from Predators

The Ottawa Senators announced today that they have claimed right wing Marek Svatos off waivers from the Nashville Predators. The move was announced just after the Senators traded Alex Kovalev to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a conditional seventh round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Svatos will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He originally signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues on December 28, but was claimed off waivers by the Predators just a day later. In nine games with Nashville, he has one goal and two assists. He missed 13 games recently with a knee injury. This is really just a depth move for Ottawa, as they are in need of a little veteran depth on offense after trading Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Jarkko Ruutu, and Alex Kovalev in separate deals over the past two weeks. Svatos will bring plenty of offensive depth to the team down the wing for the remainder of the season.

Penguins Acquire Alex Kovalev from Senators

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have acquired right wing Alex Kovalev from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a conditional seventh round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. The pick will become a sixth rounder if the Penguins win the first round of the playoffs and Kovalev plays in at least fifty percent of the games. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Kovalev, who lifted his no-trade clause to facilitate the trade and will begin his second stint with Pittsburgh, has 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points in 54 games this season. Not a bad depth move for the Penguins, as Kovalev will bring plenty of offensive depth down the wing for the injury-ravaged team, but only as a playoff rental. The enigmatic forward will also bring some depth to the power play and lots of playoff experience to the team. Plus, the Penguins gave up next to nothing to get him, which shows the market for Kovalev was pretty dry.

Ducks Acquire Dan Ellis from Lightning for Curtis McElhinney

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that they have acquired goaltender Dan Ellis from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for goaltender Curtis McElhinney. The move comes one day after the Ducks recalled Ray Emery from Syracuse of the AHL as a substitute for starter Jonas Hiller, who is currently sidelined with what is believed to be vertigo. Ellis still has one more year left on his current contract, while McElhinney will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 31 games this season, Ellis has a 13-7-6 record, two shutouts, a 2.93 GAA, and a .889 save percentage. McElhinney has a 6-9-1 record, two shutouts, a 3.43 GAA, and a .890 save percentage in 21 games. Not a bad depth move for Anaheim, as Ellis will provide plenty of depth in goal and is an upgrade over McElhinney, who has not played particularly great as of late. Ellis will also add some stability in goal in case Emery should struggle. For Tampa Bay, they shed $1.5 million in salary cap space for next season and will likely use it to pursue a goaltender over the summer, as Dwayne Roloson, Mike Smith, and Curtis McElhinney are all unrestricted free agents at season's end and likely won't be re-signed. For the rest of the season, McElhinney will play backup to Roloson.

Capitals Sign Matt Hendricks to Two-Year Contract

The Washington Capitals announced today that they have signed center Matt Hendricks to a two-year contract extension. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. He signed a one-year deal this past September with the Capitals after being invited to training camp and impressing the team there. In 57 games so far this season, he has seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points and 84 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Capitals, as Hendricks is a very harder worker on the ice and plays with lots of energy and toughness. He has fit in well on Washington's checking lines this season and should continue to be a good fit over the next two years.

Stars Acquire Goligoski from Penguins for Neal, Niskanen

The Dallas Stars announced today that they have acquired defenseman Alex Goligoski from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for left wing James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen. All three players still have one year left on their current contracts and will be eligible for restricted free agency in 2012. In 60 games this season, Goligoski has nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points. Neal has 21 goals and 18 assists for 39 points in 59 games, while Niskanen has six assists in 45 games. This is a good trade for the Penguins, as Neal brings them lots of offensive and goal-scoring skill on the wing. The Penguins have been looking for a scoring winger to play alongside Sidney Crosby for the past couple seasons and they have found that in Neal. Plus, he brings some much-needed depth on offense with the injuries to Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz, and Mark Letestu. In Niskanen, the Penguins get a smooth-skating defenseman who has some offensive skill. In Goligoski, the Stars get some much-needed offensive help on the blueline, as well as a decent puck-mover with some mobility. However, the price to acquire him was a little steep in giving up Neal and Niskanen. Plus, with Brad Richards currently sidelined with concussion-like symptoms, giving up Neal was not really a great idea, as it will deplete their offense a bit. It is possible Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk made this move to shed some salary to attempt to retain Richards, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Still, giving up Neal costs the team some offense, but they still could pursue another forward before the February 28 trade deadline.

Avalanche Acquire Johnson, McClement from Blues for Stewart, Shattenkirk

The Colorado Avalanche announced on Saturday that they have acquired defenseman Erik Johnson, center Jay McClement, and a conditional first round draft pick in 2011 or 2012 in exchange for right wing Chris Stewart, defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, and a conditional second round draft pick in 2011 or 2012. If St. Louis finishes among the bottom 10 teams in the league this season, they will send Colorado their first round pick in 2012 and Colorado will send them their second round pick in 2012. If St. Louis does not finish in the bottom 10 teams this season, Colorado will get the Blues' first round pick in 2011 and St. Louis will get Colorado's second round pick in 2011. Johnson, McClement, and Stewart all have one year left on their remaining contracts, while Shattenkirk still has two years left on his entry-level deal. In 56 games this season with the Blues, Johnson has five goals and 14 assists for 19 points, while McClement has six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 57 games. Stewart, who missed 21 games this season with a broken hand, has 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points, while Shattenkirk has seven goals and 20 assists for 27 points in 47 games. Quite an interesting trade for Colorado and St. Louis, as I figured both teams would continue to rebuild around the players they traded. For the Avalanche, they get a very talented defenseman in Johnson who has the potential to anchor their blueline for years to come. He has a good shot, lots of size, and plenty of all-around defensive upside. In McClement, the Avalanche get a decent defensive forward who is good on the faceoff, and with his addition, are now very solid up the middle (Paul Stastny, Matt Duchene, Ryan O'Reilly, and McClement). The Blues land an offensively skilled forward in Stewart who can play a physical game and has the poential to become a power forward in the league. Shattenkirk brings lots of offensive skill to the blueline, especially on the power play, and gives the team a decent prospect defenseman to replace Johnson. In the end, the Blues look to be winners in this trade, given the all-around skill they've added to their team in Stewart and Shattenkirk.

Red Wings Sign Jan Mursak to Two-Year Deal

The Detroit Red Wings have announced that they have signed right wing Jan Mursak to a two-year contract extension. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 17 games this season with the Red Wings, he has one goal. He has also appeared in 39 games with Grand Rapids of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points. Not a bad depth signing for Detroit, as Mursak has some offensive potential. He also has some speed and hockey sense, so he will likely land a roster spot with the team over the next two years.

Lightning Acquire Eric Brewer from Blues

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that they have acquired defenseman Eric Brewer from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for prospect defenseman Brock Beukeboom and a third round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. In 54 games this season with the Blues, Brewer has eight goals and six assists for 14 points and 57 penalty minutes. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Beukeboom has one goal and seven assists for eight points and 54 penalty minutes in 44 games with Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL this season. Not a bad trade for the Lightning as Brewer will add some size, stability, toughness, and leadership to the blueline. As for the Blues, they get a physical defensive prospect in Beukeboom who has some size.

Sharks Acquire Ian White from Hurricanes

In a second and separate trade by both teams today, the San Jose Sharks have acquired defenseman Ian White from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. Just prior to this trade, the Hurricanes acquired defenseman Derek Joslin from the Sharks in exchange for future considerations. White, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, was acquired by the Hurricanes earlier this season from the Calgary Flames with Brett Sutter in exchange for Anton Babchuk and Tom Kostopoulos. In 55 games this season with the Flames and Hurricanes, White has two goals and 14 assists for 16 points. Not a bad move for the Sharks, as White will bring plenty of offensive and puck-moving skill to the blueline, as well as some mobility. For the Hurricanes, White didn't play very well on the team, but they will lose a little depth on defense with his departure. Perhaps they could go shopping for another blueliner by the February 28 trade deadline if they feel they need more defensive depth.

Hurricanes Acquire Derek Joslin from Sharks

The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that they have acquired defenseman Derek Joslin from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for future considerations. He will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 17 games with the Sharks this season, he has one goal and three assists for four points. Not a bad depth move for the Hurricanes, as Joslin is a mobile defenseman with some offensive upside and skill on the power play. He was seldom used by San Jose this season and likely wasn't going to advance up their depth chart very much. Landing with the Hurricanes should give him a chance to see more ice time.

Bruins Acquire Tomas Kaberle from Maple Leafs

Tomas Kaberle's time in Toronto has come to an end. The Boston Bruins announced today that they have acquired the 32-year-old defenseman from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for prospect center Joe Colborne, Boston's first round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft, and a conditional second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft if he is re-signed in the off-season by the Bruins. Kaberle, who has been a part of Toronto's defense for the past 11 seasons and is the second highest scoring defenseman in Leafs' history behind Borje Salming with 83 goals and 437 assists, will be eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer. Colborne is currently in the first year of a three-year entry level deal. In 58 games this season with the Maple Leafs, Kaberle has three goals and 35 assists for 38 points. Colborne has 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points this season with Providence of the AHL and will now report to Toronto of the AHL. This is a good trade for the Bruins, as Kaberle will add lots of offensive skill to the blueline, particularly on the power play. With all the moves the Bruins have made over the past week, it has become clear they are looking to go deep in the playoffs this year. As for the Maple Leafs, they get a fairly decent prospect in Colborne. He has great size and has the potential to become a goal-scoring forward at the NHL level and will eventually fill a hole at center for Toronto. The first round pick the Maple Leafs received in the trade is Boston's first rounder and not their own that they sent to the Bruins in the Phil Kessel deal. Still, Toronto now has two first round picks in this year's draft from which to start restocking their team with young talent.

Thrashers Acquire Wheeler, Stuart from Bruins for Peverley, Valabik

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have acquired winger Blake Wheeler and defenseman Mark Stuart from the Boston Bruins in exchange for center Rich Peverley and defenseman Boris Valabik. Wheeler and Valabik will both be eligible for restricted free agency this summer, while Stuart will be eligible for unrestricted free agency. Peverley still has one more year left on his current deal. In 58 games with the Bruins this season, Wheeler has 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points, while Stuart has one goal and four assists for five points in 31 games. In 59 games with the Thrashers, Peverley has 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points, while Valabik has nine assists and 165 penalty minutes with Chicago of the AHL. He has not appeared in an NHL game so far this season. This is a good trade for the Thrashers, as Wheeler and Stuart will bring plenty of depth to the team at their respected positions. Wheeler will add some two-way depth, size, and offensive skill despite being a little inconsistent in his scoring, while Stuart will add plenty of defensive depth as a stay-at-home defenseman and bring some physical play to the blueline. Trading Peverley will leave the Thrashers a little thin at center and they could perhaps swing another trade for a center before the February 28 trade deadline. Also, the Thrashers likely won't miss Valabik, as he never panned out for the team. It's not a bad trade for the Bruins either, but I give the edge to the Thrashers in this one. Peverley brings the Bruins some offensive skill and two-way ability, perhaps a bit more than Wheeler was providing in Boston. He will also bring some versatility to the team, as he can also play on the wing. At six feet, seven inches, Valabik brings tremendous size to Boston's blueline, as well as lots of toughness and physical play. However, he is a bit slow, tends to take bad penalties, and isn't very offensive minded, which will likely land him a sixth or seventh role with the team for the time being. Although, with Zdeno Chara as a mentor, Valabik's game should improve over time.

Senators Acquire Craig Anderson from Avalanche for Brian Elliott

The Ottawa Senators announced today that they have acquired goaltender Craig Anderson from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for goaltender Brian Elliott. This is the fourth trade the Senators have made in the past week as GM Bryan Murray continues to revamp the roster. Elliott is the latest Senator to move, following forwards Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Kelly, and Mike Fisher. Anderson will be eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer, while Elliott will be eligible for restricted free agency. In 33 games this season with the Avalanche, Anderson has a 13-15-3 record, with a 3.28 GAA and a .897 save percentage, while Elliott has a 13-19-8 record, three shutouts, a 3.19 GAA, and a .894 save percentage in 43 games with Ottawa. This is a good trade for the Senators, as Anderson has decent goaltending skills and adds a lot of depth in goal despite struggling in Colorado this season. Despite being eligible for UFA status this summer, the Senators will likely try to get Anderson under contract prior to July 1, as long as he has a good run with the team for the rest of the season. If he does and Ottawa re-signs him, look for their goaltending tandem to be Anderson and Robin Lehner next season. Pascal Leclaire will also be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but Ottawa is unlikely to re-sign him due to his inconsistency and injury history while with the team. As for Colorado, they get a young goaltender in Elliott who covers a lot of area in net and is fairly quick on his skates, but is very inconsistent and can lose his positioning sometimes. He had a decent start to the 2010-11 season, but has struggled mightily in net for the past few months. If Elliott is able to improve his goaltending skills, this could be an okay trade for Colorado, but they were likely better off trying to re-sign Anderson for another year and see if he could improve.

Ducks Acquire Jarkko Ruutu from Senators

The Anaheim Ducks announced tonight that they have acquired left wing Jarkko Ruutu from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Ruutu will be eligible for unrestricted free agency at the end of the season. In 50 games so far this season, he has two goals and eight assists for 10 points and 59 penalty minutes. In 629 career NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Ottawa Senators, he has 57 goals and 83 assists for 140 points and 1040 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth move for the Ducks, as Ruutu plays with lots of toughness and is a very gritty, energetic, and agitating forward. He also brings a little two-way skill to the lineup and should be an effective checking line forward for the Ducks as they approach the playoffs.

NY Islanders Sign Pierre (PA) Parenteau to One-Year Contract

The New York Islanders announced today that they have signed right wing Pierre (PA) Parenteau to a one-year contract extension worth $1.25 million. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 56 games so far this season, he has 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points. In 83 career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and New York Islanders, he has 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Islanders, as Parenteau has been one of the better offensive producers for the team all season. Not only does he have some offensive instincts, he can also play at center, making him a versatile forward for the team. More than likely, Parenteau should have another respectable season with the Islanders in 2011-12.

Canadiens Acquire Paul Mara from Ducks

The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they have acquired defenseman Paul Mara from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a fifth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. Mara, who has been a healthy scratch in 23 of the Ducks' last 25 games, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He is also beginning his second stint with the Canadiens. In 33 games so far this season, he has one goal and one assist, as well as 40 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth move for Montreal, as Mara played with the team last season and will already be familiar with their system, and will also bring some toughness and plenty of size to the team. More importantly, he will bring some much needed defensive depth to a club that is currently without Andrei Markov, Josh Gorges, Hall Gill, and Jaroslav Spacek because of injuries.

Bruins Acquire Chris Kelly from Senators

The Boston Bruins announced late Tuesday evening that they have acquired center Chris Kelly from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a second round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. He still has one more year left on his current contract. In 57 games so far this season, he has 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points. In 463 career NHL games, all with the Senators, he has 75 goals and 101 assists for 176 points. Not a bad move for the Bruins, as Kelly has some two-way skill, works very hard on the ice, is good on the penalty kill, and is also versatile enough to play on the wing. He will bring some much needed depth at center with Marc Savard currently sidelined with a concussion. Kelly will likely become the Bruins' third-line center, which will also likely push rookie center Tyler Seguin further down the depth chart and lead to a reduction in his ice time for the rest of the season.

Thrashers Sign Dustin Byfuglien to Five-Year Extension

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have signed defenseman Dustin Byfuglien to a five-year contract extension worth $26 million. The deal averages out to $5.2 million per season. He would have been a restricted free agent this summer and a likely target for an offer sheet. He was acquired by the Thrashers this past summer from the Chicago Blackhawks along with Brent Sopel, Ben Eager, and Akim Aliu in exchange for Marty Reasoner, Jeremy Morin, Joey Crabb, and first and second round picks in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 58 games so far this season, Byfuglien has 17 goals and 26 assists for 43 points. In 318 career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks and Atlanta Thrashers, he has 72 goals and 80 assists for 152 points. This is a good signing for the Thrashers, as Byfuglien has emerged as an elite player on the blueline and still has his best years ahead of him. He has excellent offensive skills, especially on the power play, good size, and can log lots of minutes. He can also play on the wing, which makes him a very versatile player for the Thrashers.

Maple Leafs Acquire Aaron Voros from Ducks

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have acquired left wing Aaron Voros from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional seventh round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Voros, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, will report to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. In 12 games this season with the Ducks, he has no points and 43 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth move for the Maple Leafs, as Voros was brought in to fill a roster spot on the Marlies for Christian Hanson, who was called up by the Maple Leafs yesterday. Voros, who does play with lots of toughness, could see time with Toronto if they need to insert more grit into their lineup, but other than that, he will spend most of the rest of the season in the minors.

Flyers Acquire Kris Versteeg from Maple Leafs

The Philadelphia Flyers announced Monday evening that they have acquired right wing Kris Versteeg from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Philadelphia's first and third round picks in the 2011 Entry Draft. He still has one more year left on his current contract. The Maple Leafs originally acquired Versteeg last summer from the Chicago Blackhawks along with Bill Sweatt in exchange for prospect forwards Viktor Stahlberg, Chris DiDomenico, and Philippe Paradis. In 53 games this season, he has 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points. Not a bad move for the Flyers, as Versteeg is sure to add some offensive punch to the team. He will add some skill to the power play and penalty kill, as well as a little toughness to the forward lines. The Beauchemin and Versteeg trades now indicate that the Maple Leafs will be sellers going into the February 28 trade deadline, so it's likely that more players could be shopped over the next two weeks.

Peter Forsberg Announces His Retirement

After only two games with the Colorado Avalanche, left wing Peter Forsberg has decided to retire from hockey. The 37-year-old forward had signed a contract with the Avalanche just last week in an attempt to make an NHL comeback. He cited foot problems as his reason for retirement, which have plagued him in recent years and prevented NHL comebacks over the past few seasons. In 708 career NHL games with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers, and Nashville Predators, he has 249 goals and 636 assists for 885 points. He won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001 as a member of the Avalanche, the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer in 2003, the Calder Trophy as rookie-of-the-year in 1995, and Olympic Gold Medals in 1994 and 2006 as a member of Team Sweden. This should really come as no surprise, as the constant foot problems have hindered Forsberg's career over the past several years. However, it is a bit surprising that he is retiring after only two games, although his injured foot was clearly still bothering him. Forsberg was always an outstanding playmaker and stickhandler and had great offensive skills and it's unfortunate to see his brilliant career ended by an injury. He will surely be a lock for the Hall of Fame one day.

Stars Sign Jason Williams to One-Year Contract

The Dallas Stars have announced that they have signed right wing Jason Williams to a one-year, two-way contract for the remainder of the 2010-11 season. The deal will pay him $500,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level. In 17 games this season with Connecticut of the AHL, he has four goals and nine assists for 13 points. In 44 games last season with the Detroit Red Wings, he had six goals and nine assists for 15 points. He also missed 38 games last season with a broken fibula. Not a bad depth signing for the Stars, as Williams will bring versatility, offensive and veteran depth, and some skill to the power play.

Predators Acquire Mike Fisher from Senators

The Nashville Predators announced today that they have acquired center Mike Fisher from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a first round draft pick in 2011 and a conditional draft pick in 2012. The conditional pick will turn into a third rounder if the Predators win one playoff round. That pick will then turn into a second rounder if Nashville wins two or more playoff rounds. Fisher still has two more seasons left on his current contract and will clear $4.2 million per season from Ottawa's salary. In 55 games so far this season, he has 14 goals and 10 assists for 24 points. In 675 career NHL games, all with the Senators, he has 167 goals and 181 assists for 348 points. This is a great trade for the Predators, as Fisher is an excellent two-way center with good speed and a great shot. He is also excellent on the penalty kill and has plenty of playoff experience, both of which should be a large help to the Predators. Also, being married to country music superstar Carrie Underwood, Fisher should fit in well in Nashville.

Sharks Acquire Davis, Swift from Devils for Leach, Zalewski

The San Jose Sharks announced on Wednesday night that they have acquired right wing Patrick Davis and center Michael Swift from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for defenseman Jay Leach and center Steven Zalewski. Davis, Swift, and Zalewski will all be eligible for restricted free agency this summer, while Leach will be an unrestricted free agent. In 40 games this season with Albany of the AHL, Davis has 13 points, while Swift has 28 points in 48 games with Albany as well. In 50 games this season with Worcester of the AHL, Zalewski has 21 points, while Leach has five points with Worcester. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as all four players will likely spend the rest of the season in the minors. However, Leach could possibly see time with the Devils if injuries begin to mount on their blueline like they did earlier in the season.

Blackhawks Acquire Frolik, Salak from Panthers for Skille, Jessiman, Pacan

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Wednesday night that they have acquired right wing Michael Frolik and goaltender Alexander Salak from the Florida Panthers in exchange for right wings Jack Skille and Hugh Jessiman and prospect center David Pacan. Frolik, Salak, and Skille will all be eligible for restricted free agency in July, while Jessiman will be an unrestricted free agent. In 52 games this season, Frolik has eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points, while Skille has seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points in 49 games. In 41 games with Farjestad BK of the Swedish Elite League, Salak has a 2.04 GAA, a .925 save percentage, and six shutouts. Jessiman has three goals and two assists for five points in 25 games with Rockford of the AHL, while Pacan has 43 points in 47 games with the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL. Not a bad move for the Blackhawks, as Frolik has lots of offensive skill and scoring potential. He does have some consistency issues, but perhaps getting a new start with Chicago will help him improve his offensive game. Skille has some size, can play a physical game, and goal-scoring upside, but also suffers from consistency issues. Perhaps more ice time in Florida will help him improve his game. Pacan gives the Panthers a promising center who has lots of size and some offensive upside who could likely make the team a few seasons down the road. Salak gives the Blackhawks a talented goaltender with plenty of size who works hard in the net, and could potentially see some NHL action with the team in the future. Jessiman gives the Panthers a physical winger who can score at the AHL level, but has never been able to crack an NHL lineup. He will likely spend the rest of the season in the minors.

NY Islanders Acquire Al Montoya from Coyotes for Draft Pick

The New York Islanders announced on Wednesday night that they have acquired goaltender Al Montoya from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. The Islanders were in need of a goalie after rookie Kevin Poulin suffered a season-ending knee injury in the warm-up for Tuesday's game against Toronto. The Islanders are also currently without Rick DiPietro, who suffered face and knee injuries after fighting Pittsburgh's Brent Johnson last week, Nathan Lawson, who also has a knee injury, and Evgeni Nabokov, who has refused to report to the team since being claimed off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings on January 22. In 21 games this season with San Antonio of the AHL, Montoya has posted an 11-8-0 record, with a 3.19 GAA and a .891 save percentage. He will report to the Islanders' AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. This should be a good opportunity for Montoya, as he has spent much of his career in the AHL and should bring plenty of experience in net for the Islanders. He could emerge as a reliable backup for the team as the rest of the season plays out.

Ducks Acquire Beauchemin from Maple Leafs for Lupul, Gardiner

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Wednesday that they have acquired defenseman Francois Beauchemin from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for right wing Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Jake Gardiner, and a conditional fourth round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft. Beauchemin has one more season left on his current contract, while Lupul still has two more years on his current deal. In 54 games so far this season, Beachemin has two goals and 10 assists for 12 points, while Lupul has five goals and eight assists for 13 points in 26 games. He missed 28 games earlier this season after having back surgery last April. In 30 games with the University of Wisconsin this season, Gardiner has seven goals and 23 assists for 30 points. This move works for both teams, as it addresses needs for both Anaheim and Toronto. Beachemin has good size, can log lots of minutes, and can play a physical game. He will bring lots of defensive experience to the team, where he previously played from 2005 to 2009. Lupul brings some much needed offensive and goal scoring experience to the Maple Leafs' roster. However, he has battled inconsistency and injury issues over the past couple of seasons, so Lupul could be a risky acquisition if he cannot stay healthy or improve his offensive game. Gardiner, though, is the prize for Toronto in this trade. He has lots of offensive talent, skates well, and has lots of upside on the blueline. Look for him to battle for a roster spot at training camp this September.

Ducks Sign Goaltender Ray Emery to One-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Monday that they have signed goaltender Ray Emery to a one-year, two-way contract for the rest of the season. The deal will pay him $500,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level. He cleared waivers on Tuesday and has been assigned to Syracuse of the AHL. The 28-year-old netminder, who underwent hip surgery last April, has been conditioning his hip over the past month in order to make an NHL comeback. In 29 games last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, he posted a 16-11-1 record, three shutouts, a 2.64 GAA, and a .905 save percentage. Not a bad signing for the Ducks, as Emery has good size and is a solid goaltender. However, his behavioral issues have always effected his play and caused him to lose focus in net. As long as he can control his attitude, he should help the Ducks be more competitive in net as the playoffs approach. For now, Emery will continue to condition in the minors until he is ready to play in the NHL. With Jonas Hiller currently sidelined with fatigue, Emery could be back in the NHL in the near future as long as he doesn't have any more hip problems.

Avalanche Sign Peter Forsberg to One-Year Contract

Peter Forsberg is on his way back to the NHL. The Colorado Avalanche announced on Sunday that they have signed the 37-year-old left wing to a one-year contract worth $1 million. The deal includes a no-trade and no-movement clause and will expire at the end of the 2010-11 season, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He hasn't played in the NHL since the 2007-08 season because of foot problems and has been conditioning his injured foot for the last two seasons in Sweden. Due to visa issues, Forsberg isn't expected to play his first game until at least February 11 when the Avalanche play the Blue Jackets in Columbus. In 706 career NHL games with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers, and Nashville Predators, he has 249 goals and 636 assists for 885 points. He won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001 as a member of the Avalanche, the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer in 2003, the Calder Trophy as rookie-of-the-year in 1995, and Olympic Gold Medals in 1994 and 2006 as a member of Team Sweden. Not a bad signing for Colorado as long as Forsberg can stay healthy. He is an outstanding playmaker and stickhandler, as well as a bit of a physical player. He has worked very hard to make a comeback to the NHL after years of foot problems, and as long as his foot doesn't get re-injured, he should be a decent offensive contributor for the Avalanche. If he suffers another foot injury, it will more than likely spell the end of Forsberg's hockey career.

Maple Leafs Sign Mike Brown to Three-Year Extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have signed right wing Mike Brown to a three-year contract extension worth $2.215 million. The deal will pay him $760,000 in 2011-12 and $725,000 in both the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. He would have been a restricted free agent this summer. In 27 games so far this season, he has two goals and three assists for five points and 41 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Maple Leafs, as Brown is a very physical player who is not afraid to drop the gloves to protect his teammates. He also has some speed and can kill penalties, making him an effective checking line forward for the team.

Lightning Sign Nate Thompson to Two-Year Contract Extension

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Tuesday that they have signed left wing Nate Thompson to a two-year contract extension worth $1.8 million. The deal will pay him $950,000 for the 2011-12 season and $850,000 for the 2012-13 season. He would have been a restricted free agent this summer. In 51 games so far this season, he has seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Lightning, as Thompson plays with lots of energy and works very hard every shift on the ice. He's also good on the penalty kill and very versatile in the lineup, as he can play both center and on the wing. He should be a good checking line option for Tampa Bay over the next two years.