Wild Re-Sign Colton Gillies to Two-Year Deal

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have re-signed left wing Colton Gillies to a two-year contract worth $1.25 million. The deal will pay him $600,000 next season and $650,000 in 2012-13. In seven games last season with the Wild, he had one goal. He also appeared in 64 games with Houston of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points and 82 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Wild, as Gillies has lots of speed, good size, plays with some grit, is a good forechecker, and is versatile enough to play at center. Look for him to push hard at training camp to make the team for the 2011-12 season.

Blues Sign Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed center Jason Arnott and right wing Jamie Langenbrunner to one-year contracts worth $2.8 million. In 73 games last season with the New Jersey Devils and Washington Capitals, Arnott had 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points. Langenbrunner appeared in 70 games last season with the Devils and Dallas Stars, scoring nine goals and 23 assists for 32 points. These aren't bad signings for the Blues, as both players will bring lots of veteran depth to the forward lines. Arnott adds a good shot to the team, as well as plenty of offensive skill and experience to the power play. Langenbrunner brings a wealth of leadership qualities to the Blues, as well as some offensive skill and versatility to the forward lines. Not only will both players serve as second or third line forwards, but will also likely help mentor some of the younger players in St. Louis.

Capitals Sign Troy Brouwer to Two-Year Contract

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have signed right wing Troy Brouwer to a two-year contract worth $4.7 million. The deal will pay him $2.35 million per season. He was acquired by the Capitals on June 24 from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a first round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. Chicago used the pick to select Phillip Danault. In 79 games last season with the Blackhawks, Brouwer had 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points. Not a bad signing for the Capitals, as Brouwer will bring plenty of offensive depth to the team on either the second or third line. He also has good size, plays with some grit, and has plenty of two-way ability. He should be a good fit for the Capitals over the next two seasons.

Lightning Sign Tom Pyatt to One-Year Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have signed center Tom Pyatt to a one-year, two-way contract worth $525,000 at the NHL level. In 61 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, he had two goals and five assists for seven points. This is an okay depth signing for the Lightning, as Pyatt will bring plenty of speed and versatility to the lineup. However, he is not a big point producing forward at the NHL level, so he will likely play a fourth line role with Tampa Bay next season.

Maple Leafs Re-Sign Clarke MacArthur and Tyler Bozak

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have re-signed left wing Clarke MacArthur to a two-year contract worth $6.5 million and center Tyler Bozak to a two-year contract worth $3 million. MacArthur's deal will pay him $3.25 million per season, while Bozak's deal will net him $1.5 million per year. In all 82 games last season, MacArthur had 21 goals and 41 assists for 62 points, while Bozak had 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points in 82 games. These are decent signings for the Maple Leafs, as both players bring plenty of offensive depth to the forward lines. MacArthur is a versatile forward with some offensive skill, plenty of speed, goal-scoring ability, and some skill on the power play. He was given a short-term contract because he has had only one productive season at the NHL level, so look for him to work hard in 2011-12 to continue to improve his game to prove he is a capable top-six forward worthy of a future long-term deal. Bozak has plenty of two-way skill and some offensive instincts, so look for him to center the third line next season in Toronto.

Bruins Add Jamie Tardif and Josh Hennessy

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have signed right wing Jamie Tardif to a two-year contract and center Josh Hennessy to a one-year contract. The financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. In 77 games last season with Grand Rapids of the AHL, Tardif had 27 goals and 27 assists for 54 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Hennessy appeared in 36 games last season with Lugano of the Swiss League, scoring nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points. He last appeared in the NHL during the 2009-10 season with the Ottawa Senators. These are really just depth signings for the Bruins, as both players will probably spend all of next season in the minors.

Wild Sign Jeff Taffe to One-Year Contract

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have signed center Jeff Taffe to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He appeared in one game last season with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring no points. He also played in 74 games with Rockford of the AHL, scoring 30 goals and 37 assists for 67 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Wild, as Taffe will likely play much of next season in the AHL. If he sees any NHL action in 2011-12, it will likely be on Minnesota's fourth line and as an injury replacement.

Ducks Sign Bryan Rodney to One-Year Contract

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed defenseman Bryan Rodney to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $525,000 at the NHL level and $250,000 at the AHL level. In three games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, he had no points. He also appeared in 77 games with Charlotte of the AHL, scoring nine goals and 38 assists for 47 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Ducks, as Rodney will likely spend most of next season in the minors. If he sees any time with the Ducks in 2011-12, it will likely be as an injury replacement.

Canadiens Sign Nathan Lawson to One-Year Deal

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they have signed goaltender Nathan Lawson to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $525,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level. In 10 games last season with the New York Islanders, he posted a 1-4-2 record, with a 4.06 GAA and a .893 save percentage. He missed 10 games this past January and February with a knee injury. He also appeared in 16 games with Bridgeport of the AHL, posting a 6-5-4 record, with a 2.90 GAA and a .913 save percentage. This is really just a depth signing for the Canadiens, as Lawson will likely spend most of next season in the minors.

Predators Add Zack Stortini and Kyle Wilson

The Nashville Predators have announced that they have signed right wing Zack Stortini to a one-year, two-way contract worth $550,000 at the NHL level and center Kyle Wilson to a two-year contract worth $1.1 million. The deal will pay him $550,000 per season. In 32 games last season with the Edmonton Oilers, Stortini had four assists and 76 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 29 games with Oklahoma City of the AHL, scoring one goal and two assists for three points and 53 penalty minutes. Wilson appeared in 32 games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring four goals and seven assists for 11 points. He also played in 23 games with Springfield of the AHL, scoring 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points. These are okay signings for the Predators, as both players will bring some depth to the forward lines. Stortini is an agitator who plays with tons of grit and toughness and is always willing to drop the gloves to defend his teammates. However, he takes too many bad penalties because of his physical style of play and doesn't have a lot of offensive upside, so don't expect to see him contribute much to the score sheet. More than likely, he will have to battle for a spot on the opening day roster at training camp. Wilson brings some two-way instincts and a little offensive ability to the forward lines. Like Stortini, Wilson will likely have to fight for a roster spot at training camp.

Bruins Acquire Joe Corvo from Hurricanes

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have acquired defenseman Joe Corvo from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. The move was completed shortly after former Bruins defenseman Tomas Kaberle signed a three-year contract worth $12.75 million with the Hurricanes. In all 82 games last season with Carolina, Corvo had 11 goals and 29 assists for 40 points. This is a good move for the Bruins, as Corvo will bring lots of offensive skill to the blueline. He also has a good shot and excellent skills on the power play, making him an effective replacement in Boston for Kaberle. As for the Hurricanes, they had too many offensive-minded defensemen after signing Kaberle, so Corvo became the odd man out. A fourth round pick was a small price to pay for a player like Corvo and is an excellent and very low-risk move for the Bruins.

Hurricanes Sgin Tomas Kaberle to Three-Year Contract

The Carolina Hurricanes have added some veteran depth to their defensive lineup by signing defenseman Tomas Kaberle to a three-year contract worth $12.75 million. The deal will average out to $4.25 million per season. In 82 games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins, he had four goals and 43 assists for 47 points. He won his first Stanley Cup this past June with the Bruins. Not a bad signing for the Hurricanes, as Kaberle will bring lots of offensive skill and veteran depth to the team's blueline. He's also excellent at passing the puck and adds lots of skill to the power play, making him an effective defenseman for the team who could put up 40-50 points next season.

Red Wings Sign Garnet Exelby to One-Year Deal

The Detroit Red Wings have announced that they have signed defenseman Garnet Exelby to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 77 games last season with Rockford of the AHL, he had three goals and 10 assists for 13 points and 128 penalty minutes. In 408 career NHL games with the Atlanta Thrashers and Toronto Maple Leafs, he has seven goals and 43 assists for 50 points and 584 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth signing for the Red Wings, as Exelby will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors, providing lots of grit and toughness to the team's AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. If he sees any NHL action next season, it will likely be in the event of an injury on the Detroit blueline.

Blue Jackets Sign Marc Methot to Four-Year Contract

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Marc Methot to a four-year contract worth $12 million. The deal will pay him $2.25 million next season, $2.75 million in 2012-13, $3.25 million in 2013-14, and $3.75 million in 2014-15. In 74 games last season, he scored no goals, but had 15 assists. Not a bad signing for the Blue Jackets, as Methot brings plenty of skill to the blueline as a defensive defenseman. He has good stay-at-home defenseman qualities, as well as decent size. More than likely, he will be paired up with newcomer Radek Martinek on the second defensive pairing next season.

Coyotes Sign Keith Yandle to Five-Year Contract

The Phoenix Coyotes have locked-up an important part of their future by re-signing defenseman Keith Yandle to a five-year contract worth $26.25 million. The deal will average $5.25 million per season. In all 82 games last season, he had 11 goals and 48 assists for 59 points. This is an excellent signing for the Coyotes, as Yandle has made great strides in his development over the past few seasons. He has excellent offensive skills on the blueline, is a very mobile player on the ice, plays with some grit, and is great on the power play. Look for him to get even better on the Phoenix blueline over the next five seasons.

Blues Re-Sign Goaltender Ben Bishop

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Ben Bishop to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $600,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level. In seven games last season with the Blues, he posted a 3-4-0 record, one shutout, a 2.76 GAA, and a .899 save percentage. He also appeared in 35 games with Peoria of the AHL, posting a 17-14-2 record, two shutouts, a 2.55 GAA, and a .914 save percentage. Not a bad depth signing for the Blues, as Bishop has always been fairly steady in goal for the team. He has great size, has good awareness, and is fairly agile. Look for Bishop to battle against Brian Elliott at training camp for the backup role for the 2011-12 season.

NY Islanders Sign Trevor Frischmon to One-Year Deal

The New York Islanders have announced that they have signed center Trevor Frischmon to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 80 games last season with Springfield of the AHL, he had four goals and 25 assists for 29 points. He appeared in three games with the Columbus Blue Jackets during the 2009-10 season, scoring no points. This is nothing more than a depth signing for the Islanders, as Frischmon will more than likely spend the entire 2011-12 season in the AHL.

Penguins Sign Alexandre Picard, Re-Sign Brad Thiessen

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have signed defenseman Alexandre Picard and goaltender Brad Thiessen to one-year, two-way contracts. Picard's deal will pay him $600,000 at the NHL level, while Thiessen's contract will pay him $525,000 at the NHL level. In 43 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, Picard had three goals and five assists for eight points. He missed the last seven games of the regular season and all seven of Montreal's playoff games with a foot injury. In 46 games last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL, Thiessen posted a 35-8-1 record, seven shutouts, a 1.94 GAA, and a .922 save percentage. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. These aren't bad signings for the Penguins, as both players will bring plenty of depth to the team at their positions. Picard has some puck-moving skill and skates well, although he is a bit inconsistent in his scoring. Given the depth on Pittsburgh's blueline for next season, Picard will likely start the season in the minors. Thiessen has been an excellent goaltender at the AHL level and is more than likely ready to see some NHL action as a backup goalie. However, given the Penguins' depth in goal next season with Marc-Andre Fleury and Brent Johnson, Thiessen will likely start the season in the minors.

Senators Sign Zenon Konopka to One-Year Deal

The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have added some toughness to their lineup by signing center Zenon Konopka to a one-year contract worth $700,000. In all 82 games last season with the New York Islanders, he had two goals and seven assists for nine points and 307 penalty minutes. This is an okay signing for the Senators, as Konopka adds tons of grit and toughness to the checking lines and is always willing to drop the gloves and fight. However, he doesn't have a lot of offensive upside and takes lots of bad penalties, so he will likely be relegated to fourth line duties with limited ice time.

Jets Sign Andrew Ladd to Five-Year Contract

The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they have signed left wing Andrew Ladd to a five-year contract worth $22 million. The deal will average out to $4.4 million per season. The team also announced that he will remain as their captain when they hit the ice for the 2011-12 season. He was named captain of the Atlanta Thrashers last November. In 81 games last season with the Thrashers, he had 29 goals and 30 assists for 59 points. This is an excellent signing for the Jets, as Ladd will bring plenty of offensive skill, scoring upside, and toughness to the forward lines. He posted career numbers last season in Atlanta with increased ice time, so there's a good chance he will probably improve on those numbers next season.

Wild Sign Darroll Powe to Three-Year Contract

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have signed newly acquired center Darroll Powe to a three-year contract worth $3.2 million. The deal will pay him $950,000 next season, $1.1 million in 2012-13, and $1.15 million in 2013-14. He was acquired by the Wild on June 27 from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a third round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft. In 81 games last season with the Flyers, he had seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points. Not a bad signing for the Wild, as Powe will provide some grit and energy to their checking lines, as well as some skill to the penalty kill.

Blue Jackets Sign Alexandre Giroux and Aaron Johnson

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have signed left wing Alexandre Giroux and defenseman Aaron Johnson to one-year, two-way contracts. Giroux's deal will pay him $825,000 at the NHL level and $625,000 at the AHL level, while the financial terms of Johnson's contract were not disclosed. In eight games last season with the Edmonton Oilers, Giroux had one goal and one assist. He also appeared in 70 games with Oklahoma City of the AHL, scoring 32 goals and 46 assists for 78 points. In 72 games last season with Milwaukee of the AHL, Johnson had nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points and 70 penalty minutes. This will be his second stint with Columbus, where he played from 2003 to 2007. These aren't bad depth signings for the Blue Jackets. Giroux is a very talented scorer at the minor-league level and will bring lots of offensive and goal-scoring skill to the team's AHL affiliate in Springfield. If he sees any time at the NHL level next season, it will likely be on the fourth line. As for Johnson, he brings some offensive talent and plenty of toughness to the Blue Jackets' defense. More than likely, he will play as a seventh defenseman if he makes the team next season.

Flames Re-Sign Anton Babchuk, Add Guillaume Desbiens

The Calgary Flames have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Anton Babchuk to a two-year contract worth $5 million and signed right wing Guillaume Desbiens to a one-year, two-way contract worth $525,000 at the NHL level. Babchuk's deal will pay him $2.5 million per season. In 65 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes and Calgary Flames, Babchuk had 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points. Desbiens appeared in 10 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks, scoring no points. He also played in 53 games with Manitoba of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points and 104 penalty minutes. Babchuk isn't a bad signing for the Flames, as he brings plenty of offensive skill and a good shot to the blueline. More than likely, he will continue to play a top-four defensive role for the team over the next two seasons. As for Desbiens, he will likely play most of next season in the minors, providing Calgary's AHL affiliate in Abbotsford with lots of toughness and physical play on the forward lines.

Coyotes Add Curtis McElhinney and Tyler Eckford

The Phoenix Coyotes have announced that they have signed goaltender Curtis McElhinney and defenseman Tyler Eckford to one-year, two-way contracts. McElhinney's contract will pay him $625,000 at the NHL level, while the financial terms of Eckford's deal were not disclosed. In 28 games last season with the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators, McElhinney posted a 9-13-1 record, two shutouts, a 3.18 GAA, and a .897 save percentage. Eckford appeared in four games last season with the New Jersey Devils, scoring no points. He also played in 37 games with Albany of the AHL, scoring two goals and 10 assists for 12 points. McElhinney isn't really the greatest signing for the Coyotes, as he has struggled quite a bit in goal at the NHL level. More than likely, he will play as a third goaltender behind Jason Labarbera and Mike Smith and will only see time in goal if either of the two aforementioned players should struggle or miss time due to injury. The Coyotes really took a step back in goal with the signings of these goaltenders given their consistency issues and could have found better goaltending alternatives on the free agent market. More than likely, the team is going to struggle quite a bit in goal next season. As for Eckford, he is really just a depth signing for the team and will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Maple Leafs Re-Sign Ryan Hamilton and Greg Scott

According to thehockeynews.com, the Toronto Maple Leafs have re-signed left wing Ryan Hamilton to a one-year contract and right wing Greg Scott to a two-year contract. The financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. In 45 games last season with Toronto of the AHL, Hamilton had 16 goals and 13 assists for 29 points, while Scott had 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points with the Marlies. Both players have yet to play in an NHL game. These are really just depth signings for the Maple Leafs, as both players will likely spend all of next season in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.

Lightning Sign Trevor Smith to One-Year Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have signed left wing Trevor Smith to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 68 games last season with Syracuse and Springfield of the AHL, he had 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points. He last played in the NHL during the 2008-09 season with the New York Islanders. This is really just a depth signing for the Lightning, as Smith will likely spend all of next season in the minors.

Sabres Sign Mike Weber to Two-Year Contract

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Mike Weber to a two-year contract worth $1.9 million. The deal will average out to $950,000 per season. In 58 games last season, he had four goals and 13 assists for 17 points and 69 penalty minutes. Not a bad move for the Sabres, as Weber plays with lots of grit and toughness and has plenty of stay-at-home qualities. With increased play time next season, he should be able to improve his overall game.

Oilers Re-Sign Theo Peckham, Add Yann Danis

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Theo Peckham to a one-year contract worth $1.075 million and signed free agent goaltender Yann Danis to a one-year contract. The financial terms of his deal were not disclosed. In 71 games last season with the Oilers, Peckham had three goals and 10 assists for 13 points and 198 penalty minutes. Danis appeared in 31 games last season with Amur Khabarovsk of the KHL, posting an 8-17-3 record, two shutouts, a 3.05 GAA, and a .910 save percentage. He last played in the NHL during the 2009-10 season with the New Jersey Devils. Peckham is a good signing for the Oilers, as he brings some stay-at-home qualities to the blueline. He also brings lots of grit and physical play to the team's defense. Danis is really just a depth signing for the Oilers and will likely play most of next season with Oklahoma City of the AHL.

Blues Add Scott Nichol and Brett Sterling

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed center Scott Nichol to a one-year contract and left wing Brett Sterling to a one-year, two-way contract. Both deals are worth $600,000. In 56 games last season with the San Jose Sharks, Nichol had four goals and three assists for seven points and 50 penalty minutes. Sterling appeared in seven games last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring three goals and two assists for five points. He also played in 65 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL, scoring 27 goals and 26 assists for 53 points and 88 penalty minutes. Nichol isn't a bad depth signing for the Blues, as he is a very competitive player on the ice who plays with lots of grit and toughness. He should be a good addition to their checking lines next season. Sterling brings some offensive potential to the Blues, but most of his offensive success has come at the minor-league level. He will likely have to fight for a roster spot at training camp in September.

Capitals Sign Danny Richmond to One-Year Deal

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have signed defenseman Danny Richmond to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $525,000 at the NHL level and $125,000 at the AHL level. In 68 games last season with Toronto of the AHL, he had three goals and 20 assists for 23 points and 121 penalty minutes. He last played in an NHL game during the 2007-08 season with the Chicago Blackhawks. This is just a depth signing for the Capitals, as Richmond will likely play all of next season with Hershey of the AHL, bringing lots of grit and physical play to their defense.

Canadiens Sign Brock Trotter to One-Year Contract

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they have re-signed center Brock Trotter to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 49 games last season with Dynamo Riga of the KHL, he had 9 goals and 17 assists for 26 points. He last played with the Canadiens during the 2009-10 season, going pointless in two games. This is really just a depth move for Montreal, as Trotter will likely spend the majority of next season in the AHL.

Winnipeg Jets Sign Aaron Gagnon and Mark Flood

The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they have signed center Aaron Gagnon to a two-year contract and defenseman Mark Flood to a one-year contract. The financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. In 19 games last season with the Dallas Stars, Gagnon had two assists. He also appeared in 58 games with Texas of the AHL, scoring 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points. Flood appeared in 63 games last season with Manitoba of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 29 assists for 40 points. He last played in the NHL during the 2009-10 season with the New York Islanders. These are really just depth signings for the Jets, as both players will likely spend most of next season in the minors. However, Gagnon does have some offensive instincts and could see a little time with the team as an injury replacement.

Canucks Sign Right Wing Steve Pinizzotto

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have signed right wing Steve Pinizzotto to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $600,000 at the NHL level and $275,000 at the AHL level. In 68 games last season with Hershey of the AHL, he had 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points and 178 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Canucks, as Pinizzotto will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors. If he sees any time with Vancouver, it will likely be in the event of an injury to one of their regular forwards.

Penguins Sign Boris Valabik to One-Year Deal

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have signed defenseman Boris Valabik to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $550,000 at the NHL level. In 59 games last season with Chicago and Providence of the AHL, he had 11 assists and 189 penalty minutes. He last played in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers during the 2009-10 season. Not a bad depth signing for the Penguins, as Valabik has tremendous size and brings lots of grit and toughness to the blueline, as well as some shutdown qualities. However, he is a bit slow, takes bad penalties from time to time, and doesn't have a lot of offensive upside. As a result, Valabik will likely be a seventh defenseman for the Penguins if he is successful in making the starting roster for the 2011-12 season.

Maple Leafs Acquire Lombardi, Franson from Predators

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have acquired center Matthew Lombardi and defenseman Cody Franson from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Brett Lebda and left wing Robert Slaney. A fourth round pick in 2013 was also included in the deal, which one of the teams will receive based on how many games Lombardi plays in for the Maple Leafs. Lombardi missed the majority of the 2010-11 season with a concussion and appeared in only two games with the Predators, scoring no points. Franson appeared in 80 games with Nashville last season, scoring eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points. In 41 games last season with the Maple Leafs, Lebda had one goal and three assists for four points. Slaney played in nine games with Toronto of the AHL in 2010-11, scoring one assist. He also appeared in 61 games with Reading of the ECHL, scoring seven goals and 17 assists for 24 points. Provided Lombardi fully recovers from the concussion, this is an excellent trade for the Maple Leafs. He will bring lots of speed, two-way skill, and scoring depth to the forward lines. In Franson, Toronto gets a young defender with plenty of offensive upside and excellent skills on the power play. He will likely see plenty of ice time with the Maple Leafs next season. As for the Predators, this is a salary dumping move, as they have freed up $2.2 million. The financial flexibility will help in their efforts to re-sign defenseman Shea Weber. Lebda brings some mobility and offensive ability to the blueline, but likely won't see much ice-time next season. Slaney will likely spend all of next season in the minors.

Predators Sign Niclas Bergfors to One-Year Deal

The Nashville Predators have announced that they have signed right wing Niclas Bergfors to a one-year contract worth $575,000. In 72 games last season with the Atlanta Thrashers and Florida Panthers, he had 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points. Not a bad signing for the Predators, as Bergfors has some offensive potential and could be a steady scorer for the team. Nashville has had a lot of success with low-cost, high upside players, so Bergfors could turn out to be an excellent addition to their forward lines.

Lightning Sign Steven Stamkos to Five-Year Contract

The Tampa Bay Lightning locked-up an important part of their future on Tuesday by signing center Steven Stamkos to a five-year contract worth $37.5 million. The deal will average out to $7.5 million per season. In all 82 games last season with the Lightning, he had 45 goals and 46 assists for 91 points. In 243 career NHL games, he has 119 goals and 113 assists for 232 points. He shared the Rocket Richard Trophy with Sidney Crosby as the leading goal-scorer with 51 goals in 2010. This is an excellent signing for the Lightning, as Stamkos is a very important part of the team and the foundation of the franchise. He has outstanding goal-scoring ability, skates very well, has some two-way upside, and plays with a little grit. Stamkos has been a dynamic player for the Lightning thus far and will continue to make the franchise a competitive team in the league as his skills continue to improve.

NY Rangers Acquire Thuresson from Predators for Dupont

The New York Rangers have announced that they have acquired right wing Andreas Thuresson from the Nashville Predators in exchange for center Brodie Dupont. In three games last season with the Predators, Thuresson had no points. He also appeared in 76 games with Milwaukee of the AHL, scoring 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points. Dupont appeared in one game last season with the Rangers, going pointless, and also played in 72 games with Connecticut of the AHL, scoring 14 goals and 31 assists for 45 points. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as both players will likely see quite a bit of time in the minors next season. Although, Thuresson and Dupont could secure fourth line roles if they're impressive enough at training camp in September.

Oilers Add Josh Green and Ryan Keller

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have signed left wing Josh Green and right wing Ryan Keller to one-year, two-way contracts. The financial terms of Green's deal were not disclosed, while Keller's deal will pay him $625,000 at the NHL level. In 12 games last season with the Anaheim Ducks, Green had no points. He also appeared in 69 games with Syracuse of the AHL, scoring 15 goals and 31 assists for 46 points. Keller played in 71 games last season with Binghamton of the AHL, scoring 32 goals and 19 assists for 51 points. He last appeared in the NHL during the 2009-10 season with the Ottawa Senators. These are really just depth signings for the Oilers, as both Green and Keller will likely the majority of next season with the team's AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City, providing lots of offensive depth and skill for that club.

Ducks Sign Andrew Gordon to One-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed right wing Andrew Gordon to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In nine games last season with the Washington Capitals, he had one goal and one assist. He also appeared in 50 games with Hershey of the AHL, scoring 28 goals and 29 assists for 57 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Ducks, although it's not a bad one. Gordon works hard on the ice, plays with plenty of energy, and can produce points at the minor-league level. Given the offensive depth on Anaheim's roster for next season, he will likely spend the majority of the season in the minors.

***UPDATE***
Gordon's contract is actually a two-year deal worth $525,000 at the NHL level and $250,000 at the AHL level for the 2011-12 season and $550,000 for the 2012-13 season.

Panthers Sign Matt Bradley to Two-Year Contract

The Florida Panthers have announced that they have signed right wing Matt Bradley to a two-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 61 games last season with the Washington Capitals, he had four goals and seven assists for 11 points and 68 penalty minutes. He missed five games early in the 2010-11 campaign with a lower body injury and another 14 games later in the season with a broken finger. Not a bad signing for the Panthers, as Bradley will bring plenty of grit and toughness to the forward lines. He also plays with lots of energy, skates well, and will drop the gloves to protect his teammates, making him an effective checking line forward for the team.

Blue Sign Kent Huskins to One-Year Deal

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed defenseman Kent Huskins to a one-year contract worth $1 million. In 50 games last season with the San Jose Sharks, he had two goals and eight assists for 10 points. He missed the last 22 games of the regular season and 13 playoff games with an upper body injury, as well as nine games early in the 2010-11 season with an upper body injury. Not a bad depth signing for the Blues, as Huskins will bring plenty of defensive depth to the team's defense. Look for him to play as the sixth or seventh defenseman next season.

Flames Sign Ben Walter and Clay Wilson

The Calgary Flames have announced that they have signed center Ben Walter and defenseman Clay Wilson to two-year contracts worth $1.075 million and $1.05 million, respectively. Walter's deal will average $537,500 per season, while Wilson's contract will average $525,000 per year. In 77 games last season with Lake Erie of the AHL, Walter had 23 goals and 47 assists for 70 points. Wilson appeared in 15 games with the Florida Panthers last season, scoring three goals and two assists for five points. He also played in 66 games with Rochester of the AHL, scoring 12 goals and 36 assists for 48 points. These are really just depth signings for the Flames. Walter brings some defensive skill to the forward lines, but doesn't have a lot of scoring upside at the NHL level. He will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors. Wilson brings some depth to the blueline, but will likely have to fight for a roster spot at training camp. If he does see an time with Calgary in 2011-12, it will likely be as a sixth or seventh defenseman.

Capitals Sign Tomas Vokoun to One-Year Contract

Just one day after trading Semyon Varlamov to the Colorado Avalanche, the Washington Capitals signed veteran goaltender Tomas Vokoun to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. In 57 games last season with the Florida Panthers, he posted a 22-28-5 record, six shutouts, a 2.55 GAA, and a .922 save percentage. This is an excellent signing for the Capitals, as Vokoun will bring lots of veteran depth and stability to the team in goal. He also has good agility and can play at the top of his games for stretches at a time. By adding Vokoun, the Capitals are likely hoping a veteran goaltender can help them advance far in the playoffs after several years of early playoff departures. However, Vokoun doesn't have a lot of playoff experience and hasn't been able to advance a team deep in the playoffs, so there will likely be a lot of pressure on him to help Washington advance deep in the postseason in 2012.

Winnipeg Jets Sign Randy Jones and Rick Rypien

The Winnipeg Jets have announced that they have signed defenseman Randy Jones to a one-year contract worth $1.15 million and right wing Rick Rypien to a one-year contract worth $700,000. In 61 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jones had one goal and 12 assists for 13 points. He missed the last 16 games of the regular season and eight playoff games with an ankle injury. Rypien appeared in nine games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, scoring one assist. He was suspended six games last November for an altercation with a fan during a game against the Minnesota Wild. He would go on to miss the majority of the 2010-11 season because of personal reasons. He also appeared in 11 games with Manitoba of the AHL, scoring two assists. These aren't bad depth signings for the Jets. Jones will add some offensive skill and puck-handling skills to the blueline as a sixth or seventh defenseman, while Rypien will bring lots of grit and toughness to the checking lines.

Red Wings Sign Ian White to Two-Year Contract

The Detroit Red Wings have announced that they have signed defenseman Ian White to a two-year contract worth $5.75 million. The deal will pay him $2.875 million per season. In 78 games last season with the Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, and San Jose Sharks, he had four goals and 22 assists for 26 points. Not a bad signing for the Red Wings, as White will add some offensive skill and puck-moving ability to the blueline, as well as some mobility. He does suffer from inconsistency from time to time, and being bounced between three different teams last season didn't help out his offensive game any. Playing in Detroit will likely help White improve his overall offensive game and consistency.

Coyotes Sign Alexandre Bolduc to One-Year Contract

The Phoenix Coyotes have announced that they have signed center Alexandre Bolduc to a one-year, two-way contract worth $575,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level. In 24 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks, he had two goals and two assists for four points. He also appeared in 26 games with Manitoba of the AHL, scoring six goals and nine assists for 15 points. He missed 23 games early in the 2010-11 season with an ankle injury and 29 games later in the season with a shoulder injury. Not a bad depth signing for the Coyotes, as Bolduc will add some two-way skill and grit to the forward lines. Although, he will likely have to fight for a roster spot at training camp in September.

Kings Sign Simon Gagne to Two-Year Contract

The Los Angeles Kings have announced that they have signed left wing Simon Gagne to a two-year contract worth $7 million. The deal will pay him $3.5 million per season. In 61 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he had 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points. He missed 19 games with a neck injury. Not a bad signing for the Kings, as Gagne will bring lots of offensive skill to the lineup. He has decent two-way skills, can score goals, and is excellent on the power play. However, he is extremely prone to injury and has missed a bit of time over the past few seasons. If Gagne can remain healthy, he should be an excellent acquisition for the Kings. Also, he will likely be reunited with newly acquired Mike Richards, whom he played with in Philadelphia from 2005-2010. Playing alongside Richards once again could help Gagne improve his offensive game a bit if he can stay healthy.

Hurricanes Add Anthony Stewart and Justin Soryal

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have signed left wing Anthony Stewart to a two-year contract worth $1.8 million and left wing Justin Soryal to a one-year, two-way contract worth $525,000 at the NHL level. Stewart's deal will average out to $900,000 per season. In 80 games last season with the Atlanta Thrashers, he had 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points. Soryal appeared in 79 games last season with Connecticut of the AHL, scoring three goals and three assists for six points and 220 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Stewart isn't a bad depth signing for the Hurricanes, as he brings some offensive skill, size, and grit to the forward lines. He will likely land a spot on the checking lines while with the Hurricanes. As for Soryal, he is really just a depth signing and will likely spend all of next season in the minors, providing lots of toughness for Carolina's AHL affiliate in Charlotte.

Maple Leafs Sign Tim Connolly to Two-Year Deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have signed center Tim Connolly to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million. The deal will pay him $5.5 million in the first year and $4 million in the second year. In 68 games last season with the Buffalo Sabres, he had 13 goals and 29 assists for 42 points. This is a decent signing for the Maple Leafs, as Connolly will bring lots of offensive skill and veteran depth to their forward lines. He's also an excellent stickhandler and great on the power play. However, he has a history of injury problems which often times hamper his offensive production. If he can stay healthy, Connolly should be a decent offensive contributor for the team throughout the duration of the contract.

Lightning Sign Matt Gilroy and Richard Petiot

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have signed defenseman Matt Gilroy to a one-year contract and defenseman Richard Petiot to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. In 58 games last season with the New York Rangers, Gilroy had three goals and eight assists for 11 points. Petiot appeared in two games last season with the Edmonton Oilers, scoring no points. He also played in 66 games with Oklahoma City of the AHL, scoring 15 assists. Gilroy isn't a bad depth signing for the Lightning, as he skates well and has some offensive skill on the blueline. Given the depth on Tampa Bay's defense for next season, he will likely have to fight for a roster spot at training camp in September. As for Petiot, he is really just a depth signing for the team and will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Red Wings Sign Logan Pyett to One-Year Deal

The Detroit Red Wings have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Logan Pyett to a one-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 74 games last season with Grand Rapids of the AHL, he had nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Red Wings, as Pyett will likely spend all of next season in the minors, providing plenty of offensive and puckmoving skill to the blueline in Grand Rapids.

Canucks Re-Sign Nolan Baumgartner

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Nolan Baumgartner to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $525,000 if he plays at the NHL level. In 66 games last season with Manitoba of the AHL, he had four goals and 25 assists for 29 points. He last saw NHL action during the 2009-10 season with Vancouver. This is really just a depth signing for the Canucks, as Baumgartner will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors. If he sees any time with the Canucks, it will likely be in the event of an injury to one of the regular roster players.

Capitals Sign Chris Bourque to One-Year Contract

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have re-signed left wing Chris Bourque to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 39 games last season with Lugano of the Swiss League, he had 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points. He also appeared in eight games with Atlant Mytischi of the KHL, scoring one goal. He last played in the NHL during the 2009-10 season with Washington. This is really just a depth signing for the Capitals, as Bourque will more than likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.

NY Rangers Sign Brad Richards to Nine-Year Contract

The New York Rangers have landed the biggest name on the free agent market. The team announced that they have signed center Brad Richards to a nine-year contract worth $60 million. The deal will pay him $12 million in 2011-12 and 2012-13, $9 million in 2013-14, $8.5 million in 2014-15 and 2015-16, $7 million in 2016-17, and $1 million in 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20. Richards was the most coveted player on the 2011 free agent market and it was reported the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs had heavy interest in him. In 72 games last season with the Dallas Stars, he had 28 goals and 49 assists for 77 points. This is an excellent signing for the Rangers, as Richards will bring lots of offensive skill and depth to the team. He also has outstanding playmaking ability, is excellent on the power play, and has some leadership skills. He should be a great fit for the Rangers throughout the duration of the contract.

Capitals Sign Sean Collins to One-Year Deal

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Sean Collins to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In four games last season with the Capitals, he had one goal. He also appeared in 73 games with Hershey of the AHL, scoring four goals and 16 assists for 20 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Capitals, as Collins will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Flyers Sign Jakub Voracek to One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed right wing Jakub Voracek to a one-year contract worth $2.25 million. He was acquired by the Flyers from the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 23 in exchange for Jeff Carter and the Blue Jackets' first and third round picks in the 2011 Entry Draft. In 80 games last season with Columbus, he had 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points. This is an excellent signing for the Flyers, as Voracek will bring lots of offensive skill to the team. He also has plenty of scoring upside and a good shot. However, he tends be a little inconsistent in his scoring, so hopefully playing on a more offensively skilled team will help him add some consistency to his offensive game.

Bruins Re-Sign Anton Kuhdobin and Trent Whitfield

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Anton Khudobin and center Trent Whitfield to two-year contracts. The financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. Boston acquired Khudobin on February 28 from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Jeff Penner and Mikko Lehtonen. In four games last season with the Wild, he posted a 2-1-0 record, one shutout, a 1.59 GAA, and a .942 save percentage. He also appeared in 50 games with Houston and Providence of the AHL, posting a 28-16-2 record, two shutouts, a 2.52 GAA, and a .914 save percentage. He did not appear in any games with the Bruins after the trade. Whitfield appeared in 45 games last season with Providence, scoring 18 goals and 18 assists for 36 points. Khudobin isn't a bad depth signing for the Bruins, as he has the skills to at least be a backup goaltender at the NHL level. He has good puck-stopping abilities and is very agile, but will likely see a lot of time in the minors next season unless Tim Thomas or Tuukka Rask should miss time with an injury. Whitfield is really just a depth signing for the team, as he will likely spend all of next season in the minors. If he sees any time with the Bruins, it will likely be on the fourth line.

Panthers Sign Sean Bergenheim and Nolan Yonkman

The Florida Panthers continued to re-vamp their roster on the first day of free agency by signing left wing Sean Bergenheim to a four-year contract worth $11 million and defenseman Nolan Yonkman to a two-year contract. The financial terms of his deal were not disclosed, while Bergenheim's deal will average out to $2.75 million per season. In 80 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bergenheim had 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points. He added nine goals and two assists for 11 points in 16 playoff games. In 16 games last season with the Phoenix Coyotes, Yonkman had one assist and 39 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 56 games with San Antonio of the AHL, scoring one goal and four assists for five points and 104 penalty minutes. Bergenheim isn't a bad signing for the Panthers, as he will bring plenty of two-way skill and good skating to the wing despite being a bit inconsistent in his scoring. Yonkman is just a depth signing and will likely spend much of next season in the minors. If he sees any time with the Panthers, he will bring lots of grit and physical play to the blueline as a sixth or seventh defenseman.

Blues Sign Brian Elliott to One-Year Deal

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed goaltender Brian Elliott to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 55 games last season with the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche, he posted 15-27-9 record, three shutouts, a 3.34 GAA, and a .893 save percentage. This is an okay depth signing for the Blues, as Elliott covers a lot of area in net and is fairly quick on his skates, but is very inconsistent and can lose his positioning sometimes. If he can improve his goaltending skills, he could be a capable backup for the Blues next season. Although, Elliott will have to compete with Ben Bishop at training camp for the backup role on the team next season.

Blue Jackets Add Sanford, Drazenovic, Joudrey, Dekanich

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced a slew of signings on the first day of free agency by inking goaltenders Curtis Sanford and Mark Dekanich to one-year contracts and centers Nicholas Drazenovic and Andrew Joudrey to one-year, two-way contracts. Sanford's deal will pay him $600,000, while the financial terms of the other three contracts were not disclosed. In 40 games last season with Hamilton of the AHL, Sanford posted a 22-13-2 record, five shutouts, a 1.93 GAA, and a .916 save percentage, while Dekanich posted a 23-12-5 record, four shutouts, a 2.02 GAA, and a .931 save percentage in 43 games with Milwaukee of the AHL. He also appeared in one game with the Nashville Predators, allowing three goals and posting a 3.60 GAA and .880 save percentage. Drazenovic played in three games with the St. Louis Blues last season, scoring no points. He also appeared in 75 games with Peoria of the AHL, scoring 23 goals and 23 assists for 46 points. In 66 games last season with Hershey of the AHL, Joudrey had seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. These are really just depth signings for the Blue Jackets, as all four players will likely play much of next season in the minors. Although, Sanford and Dekanich could battle for the backup role in Columbus next season at training camp in September if a more capable backup netminder isn't signed by then.

***UPDATE***
Andrew Joudrey's contract is actually a two-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $575,000 at the NHL level and $115,000 at the AHL level for the 2011-12 season and $600,000 at the NHL level and $125,000 at the AHL level for the 2012-13 season.

Sharks Add Jim Vandermeer and Michal Handzus

The San Jose Sharks have announced that they have signed defenseman Jim Vandermeer to a one-year contract worth $1 million and center Michal Handzus to a two-year contract worth $5 million. The deal will pay him $2.5 million per year. In 62 games last season with the Edmonton Oilers, Vandermeer had two goals and 12 assists for 14 points and 74 penalty minutes, while Handzus had 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points in all 82 games with the Los Angeles Kings. Vandermeer isn't a bad depth signing for the Sharks, as he will bring lots of grit, toughness, and defensive depth to the blueline next season. Handzus brings plenty of two-way skill, playmaking ability, and size to the team. Look for him to center the third line in San Jose next season.

Canucks Sign Marco Sturm and Andrew Ebbett

The Vancouver Canucks announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed left wing Marco Strum and center Andrew Ebbett to one-year contracts worth $2.25 million and $525,000, respectively. In 35 games last season with the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals, Sturm had five goals and 11 assists for 16 points. He missed the first 32 games of the 2010-11 season with a torn ACL and MCL and another 13 games later in the season with a left knee injury. Ebbett appeared in 33 games last season with Phoenix, scoring two goals and three assists for five points. He also played in 37 games with San Antonio of the AHL, scoring 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points. These aren't bad depth signings for the Canucks. Vancouver gets a speedy forward in Sturm who is also an excellent stickhandler and is good on the power play and penalty kill. He will likely fill a top-nine role for the team next season. Ebbett secured a one-way deal with the Canucks, so he has all but secured a roster spot for next season. He will bring plenty of offensive depth to the fourth line, but could find himself a healthy scratch if he fails to impress the coaching staff.

Lightning Sign Michel Ouellet to One-Year Contract

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have signed free agent right wing Michel Ouellet to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 39 games last season with Hamburg of the German League, he had 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points. He last played in the NHL during the 2008-09 season with the Vancouver Canucks. Not a bad depth signing for the Lightning, as Ouellet has some offensive ability and good hockey sense. However, he will likely have to compete for a roster spot at training camp in September, and if he does make the team, it will likely be on the third or fourth line.

Blackhawks Sign Brett McLean to One-Year Deal

NOTE
He should not be confused with Brett MacLean, who re-signed with the Phoenix Coyotes on July 19, 2011.

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed free agent left wing Brett Mclean to a one-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 50 games last season with Bern of the Swiss League, he had 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points. He last played in the NHL during the 2008-09 season with the Florida Panthers. This is really just a depth signing for the Blackhawks, as McLean will likely have to fight for a roster spot at training camp. If he makes the team, he will bring some playmaking ability to the third and fourth lines. Although, it won't surprise me if he plays much of next season in the minors.

Sabres Sign Ville Leino to Six Year Contract

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have signed left wing Ville Leino to a six-year contract worth $27 million. The deal will average out to $4.5 million per season. In 81 games last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, he had 19 goals and 34 assists for 53 points. Not a bad signing for the Sabres, as Leino is quickly becoming a quality top-six forward at the NHL level. He's a decent playmaker and puckhandler, has good passing skills, has some versatility, and brings plenty of offensive depth to the team. Look for him to play on Buffalo's second line next season.

Bruins Sign Benoit Pouliot to One-Year Contract

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have signed left wing Benoit Pouliot to a one-year contract worth $1.1 million. In 79 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, he had 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points and 87 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for the Bruins, as Pouliot still has plenty of offensive upside. He can rack up plenty of points while he is on his game and is versatile enough to play on the wing. Inconsistency has plagued him throughout his NHL career, so hopefully he can add some consistency to his game while playing a top-nine role in Boston.

Stars Add Michael Ryder, Sheldon Souray, Jake Dowell

The Dallas Stars announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed right wing Michael Ryder to a two-year contract worth $7 million and defenseman Sheldon Souray and center Jake Dowell to one-year contracts worth $1.65 million and $800,000, respectively. Ryder's deal will pay him $3.5 million per season, while Souray was signed as an unrestricted free agent after the Edmonton Oilers bought out the final year of his contract. In 79 games last season with the Boston Bruins, Ryder had 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points. He helped the Bruins win their sixth Stanley Cup in franchise history this past June. In 40 games last season with Hershey of the AHL, Souray had four goals and 15 assists for 19 points and 85 penalty minutes. He hasn't played in the NHL since the 2009-10 season with the Edmonton Oilers. Dowell had six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 79 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season. These aren't bad signings for the Stars, as all three players will bring plenty of depth to the team. Ryder will bring some goal-scoring ability to the forward lines, as well as lots of skill to the power play despite being woefully inconsistent in his scoring. Perhaps being reunited with Mike Ribeiro, whom he played with in Montreal from 2003 to 2006, will help him regain some of the scoring touch he had early in his career. Souray will bring a great shot, plenty of leadership skills, some grit, as well as lots of offensive skill to the blueline and power play. However, he is extremely prone to injury, which has effected his skills at the NHL level at times. The Stars were wise to sign him to a short-term, inexpensive contract in case he should struggle next season. Look for him to have a bounce-back season in 2011-12 to prove to the rest of the league he still has the ability to play in the NHL. Dowell will bring plenty of energy, grit, and defensive skill to the checking lines in Dallas.

Senators Sign Alex Auld to One-Year Deal

The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have signed goaltender Alex Auld to a one-year contract worth $1 million. In 16 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, he posted a 6-2-2 record, with a 2.64 GAA and a .914 save percentage. Not a bad depth signing for the Senators, as Auld will bring plenty of depth in goal as a backup. Although, he will likely have to compete for the backup role with Robin Lehner at training camp in September.

Oilers Sign Cam Barker, Eric Belanger, and Corey Potter

The Edmonton Oilers announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed defensemen Cam Barker to a one-year contract worth $2.25 million and Corey Potter to a one-year, two-way contract, as well as center Eric Belanger to a three-year contract worth $5.25 million. His deal will average out to $1.75 million per season, while the financial terms of Potter's contract were not disclosed. Barker was signed as an unrestricted free agent after the Minnesota Wild bought out the final year of his contract. In 52 games last season with the Wild, he had one goal and four assists for five points, while Belanger had 13 goals and 27 assists for 40 points in all 82 games with the Phoenix Coyotes. Potter appeared in one games last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring no points. He also played in 75 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL, scoring seven goals and 30 assists for 37 points. Barker isn't a bad signing for the Oilers, as he still has some offensive upside on defense. He also has some mobility and skill on the power play, although he lacks consistency. He was a huge disappointment in Minnesota and hopefully a change of scenery will help Barker get his career back on track. Belanger is a decent addition for Edmonton, as he will bring plenty of veteran skill to the team. He has good two-way skill, is decent on faceoffs, and plays a good defensive game, so he should be a decent third-line center for the team. Potter is really just a depth signing for the Oilers, as he will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Capitals Sign Joel Ward, Roman Hamrlik, Ryan Potulny

The Washington Capitals announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed right wing Joel Ward to a four-year contract worth $12 million, defenseman Roman Hamrlik to a two-year contract worth $7 million, and center Ryan Potulny to a one-year contract. Ward's contract will pay him $3 million per season and Hamrlik will make $3.5 million per year, while the financial terms of Potulny's deal were not disclosed. In 80 games last season with the Nashville Predators, Ward had 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points, while Hamrlik had five goals and 29 assists for 34 points in 79 games with the Montreal Canadiens. Potulny appeared in 10 games last season with the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators, scoring no points. He also played in 71 games with Rockford and Binghamton of the AHL, scoring 21 goals and 28 assists for 49 points. These aren't bad signings for the Capitals. Ward has plenty of speed, works hard on the ice, has some two-way skill, and is good on the power play and penalty kill. He should be a good fit for the Capitals. Hamrlik brings plenty of offensive skill to the blueline, as well as lots of grit and physical play. He is also excellent on the power play and penalty kill, so he should be an excellent top-four defenseman for the team. Potulny is really just a depth signing for the Capitals, as he will likely spend much of next season in the minors. If he does see any time in the NHL, it will likely be on the fourth line.

NY Islanders Sign Marty Reasoner to Two-Year Deal

The New York Islanders have announced that they have signed center Marty Reasoner to a two-year contract worth $2.7 million. The deal will average out to $1.35 million per season. In all 82 games last season with the Florida Panthers, he had 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points. This is a good signing for the Islanders, as Reasoner will provide lots of veteran depth to the team. He's a decent checking center with some passing skill who should be an excellent fit for the Islanders.

Penguins Sign Steve Sullivan and Colin McDonald

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have signed left wing Steve Sullivan to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million and right wing Colin McDonald to a one-year, two-way contract worth $525,000. In 44 games last season with the Nashville Predators, Sullivan had 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points. He missed 37 games in 2010-11 because of injuries. McDonald appeared in 80 games last season with Oklahoma City of the AHL, scoring 42 goals and 16 assists for 58 points. Sullivan is a good signing for the Penguins, as he will bring lots of offensive depth to the wing, as well as plenty of leadership to the team. However, his health is always a big question mark, as he has missed lots of time throughout his NHL career because of injuries. Don't be surprised if Sullivan misses time once again next season due to an injury. McDonald is nothing more than a depth signing and will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors, where he will provide lots of offensive depth and goal-scoring skill for Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Red Wings Sign Mike Commodore to One-Year Contract

The Detroit Red Wings have announced that they have signed defenseman Mike Commodore to a one-year contract worth $1 million. He became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after the Columbus Blue Jackets bought out the final two years of his contract. In 20 games last season with the Blue Jackets, he had two goals and four assists for six points. He also appeared in 11 games with Springfield of the AHL, scoring two assists. Not a bad depth signing for the Red Wings, as Commodore will add plenty of veteran depth to the blueline. He has good size, plays with lots of grit, and has a little offensive ability. He should be good as a top-four defenseman in Detroit next season.

NY Rangers Re-Sign Ruslan Fedotenko, Add Mike Rupp

The New York Rangers have announced that they have re-signed left wing Ruslan Fedotenko to a one-year contract worth $1.4 million and signed center Mike Rupp to a three-year contract worth $4.5 million. The deal averages out to $1.5 million per season. In 66 games last season with the Rangers, Fedotenko had 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points. He missed 16 games with a shoulder injury. Rupp appeared in 81 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring nine goals and eight assists for 17 points and 124 penalty minutes. These aren't bad signings for the Rangers, as both players will add lots of veteran depth on offense. Fedotenko has good hands, brings some skill to the power play, and can score goals from time to time. He will likely play a top-nine role on the team next season. Rupp brings lots of grit and toughness to the forward lines, as well as some offensive ability and versatility. He should be a good replacement for Derek Boogaard, who died on May 13 of an alcohol and oxycodone related overdose.

Canadiens Sign Peter Budaj and Erik Cole

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they have signed goaltender Peter Budaj to a two-year contract worth $2.3 million and right wing Erik Cole to a four-year contract worth $18 million. Budaj's deal will pay him $1.15 million per season, while Cole's contract will average out to $4.5 million per year. In 45 games last season with the Colorado Avalanche, Budaj posted a 15-21-4 record, one shutout, a 3.20 GAA, and a .895 save percentage. Cole appeared in all 82 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring 26 goals and 26 assists for 52 points. These are okay depth signings for the Canadiens. Budaj gives the team a fairly steady backup goaltender, but struggles mightily as a starter. If Carey Price should fall to an injury over the next two years for an extended period of time, Budaj may have a hard time carrying the team in goal. Cole brings plenty of goal scoring skill and some toughness to the forward lines, but injuries have taken a toll on his career and he can be inconsistent in his scoring from time to time. If Cole can play a more consistent game with the Canadiens, he will be an excellent addition to the team. If not, then the boo birds in Montreal will certainly voice their displeasure over his signing.

Hurricanes Add Brian Boucher and Alexei Ponikarovsky

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have signed goaltender Brian Boucher to a two-year contract worth $1.9 million and left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. Boucher's deal will pay him $950,000 per season. In 34 games last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, Boucher posted an 18-10-4 record, with a 2.42 GAA, and a .916 save percentage. Ponikarovsky appeared in 61 games last season with the Los Angeles Kings, scoring five goals and 10 assists for 15 points. These aren't bad depth signings for the Hurricanes, as both players will bring plenty of veteran depth to their respective positions. Boucher gives the team a solid backup goaltender to starter Cam Ward, while Ponikarovsky brings some offensive ability and two-way skill to the forward lines. The Hurricanes are likely hoping Ponikarovsky will be able to replace some of the offense lost to the team with the departure of Erik Cole to Montreal. However, his offensive game has declined over the past few seasons, so he likely won't be able to replace Cole's offensive output.

Jets Sign Derek Meech and Tanner Glass

The Winnipeg Jets announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed defenseman Derek Meech and left wing Tanner Glass to one-year contracts worth $700,000 and $750,000, respectively. For you trivia buffs out there, Meech is the first free agent signing for the new franchise and is also a native of Winnipeg. In 74 games last season with Grand Rapids of the AHL, Meech had 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points, while Glass appeared in 73 games with the Vancouver Canucks, scoring three goals and seven assists for 10 points and 72 penalty minutes. These aren't bad depth signings for the Jets. Meech will provide some offensive skill to the blueline, as well as some versatility to the team as a whole, as he can also play on the wing. Glass will bring plenty of grit and toughness to the checking lines for the Jets.

Flyers Sign Maxime Talbot to Five-Year Contract

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed center Maxime Talbot to a five-year contract worth $9 million. The deal will average out to $1.8 million per season. It was reported just a few days after Talbot had signed the deal that the Flyers would have to restructure the contract because it violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement by reducing his salary by more than 50 percent between the third and fourth years of the deal. In all 82 games last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he had eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points and 66 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for the Flyers, as Talbot will bring lots of energy to the team. He also brings plenty of grit to the forward lines, as well as skill on the penalty kill and some offensive ability. He should be an excellent checking line forward for the Flyers throughout the duration of the contract.

Panthers Acquire Kris Versteeg from Flyers

The Florida Panthers continued to re-vamp their roster on the first day of free agency by acquiring right wing Kris Versteeg from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2012 or 2013 and a third round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. He has one more year left on his current contract. In 80 games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers, he had 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points. This is a good trade for the Panthers, as Versteeg brings plenty of offensive skill to the forward lines. He will also add some skill to the power play and penalty kill, as well as a little bit of grit. Versteeg will likely play on the top line for the Panthers next season. The move also helps Florida get closer to the salary cap floor, while the Flyers cut some salary as they continue to retool their team.

Oilers Acquire Andy Sutton from Ducks for Kurtis Foster

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have acquired defenseman Andy Sutton from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Kurtis Foster. Both players have one year remaining on their current contracts. In 39 games last season with the Ducks, Sutton had four assists and 87 penalty minutes. He missed 21 games with a thumb injury. Foster had eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points in 74 games with the Oilers. Not a bad move for both teams. Sutton will bring some much needed grit to Edmonton's blueline, as well as lots of toughness. Foster brings plenty of offensive skill and a good shot to Anaheim's defense. He is also excellent on the power play, so he should see lots of time on the power play with the Ducks.

Panthers Sign Marcel Goc and Tomas Fleischmann

The Florida Panthers continued to add more talent to their team on the first day of free agency by signing center Marcel Goc to a three-year contract worth $5.1 million and left wing Tomas Fleischmann to a four-year contract worth $18 million. Goc's deal will pay him $1.7 million per season, while Fleischmann will get $4.5 million per year. In 51 games last season with the Nashville Predators, Goc had nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points. He missed the last 24 games of the 2010-11 regular season and all 12 of Nashville's playoff games with an upper body injury. Fleischmann had 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points in 45 games with the Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche. He missed the last 36 games of the regular season with blood clots in his lungs. These are decent signings for the Panthers, as both players will bring plenty of offensive depth to the forward lines. Goc gives the team plenty of two-way ability up the middle, as well as some speed and skill on the faceoff. He should make a good checking line center for the Panthers. Fleischmann brings the team lots of skill on the wing and is now fully recovered from the blood clots found in his lungs this past January. He is a decent passer and stickhandler who is also versatile enough to play at center. Look for him to play on Florida's top line next season alongside Stephen Weiss.

Flyers Sign Jaromir Jagr to One-Year Contract

Jaromir Jagr is on his way back to the NHL. The Philadelphia Flyers announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed the 39-year-old right wing to a one-year contract worth $3.3 million. The Pittsburgh Penguins had offered Jagr a one-year, $2 million contract in the days before free agency opened, but he turned down the deal. It was reported the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens were also very interested in signing Jagr. He last played in the NHL during the 2007-08 season with the New York Rangers and has played the last three years in the KHL. In 49 games last season with Omsk of the KHL, Jagr had 19 goals and 31 assists for 50 points. He won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Penguins in 1991 and 1992. He has also won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1999, the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001, the Lester B. Pearson Award as the player of the year selected by the NHLPA in 1999, 2000, and 2006, and Olympic Gold and Bronze Medals in 1998 and 2006, respectively. In 1273 career NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers, he has 646 goals and 953 assists for 1599 points. This is a decent signing for the Flyers, as Jagr has always been an elite scoring forward throughout his NHL career. He is an excellent goal scorer and playmaker and has outstanding hockey sense on the ice, although he can be an extremely moody player from time to time. Jagr should provide some offensive spark to Philadelphia's lineup, but given his age and time spent away from the NHL, he may not have elite skill he once had, but will likely still be an offensive threat in 2011-12.

Flames Sign Joe Piskula to One-Year Contract

The Calgary Flames have announced that they have signed defenseman Joe Piskula to a two-year contract worth $2.05 million. The deal will average out to $1.025 million per season. In 71 games last season with Abbotsford of the AHL, he had one goal and 11 assists for 12 points and 73 penalty minutes. He last played in the NHL during the 2006-07 season with the Los Angeles Kings. This is really just a depth signing for the Flames, as Piskula will likely spend all of next season in the minors.

Avalanche Acquire Varlamov from Capitals, Sign Him to Three-Year Deal

The Colorado Avalanche announced on the first day of free agency that they have acquired goaltender Semyon Varlamov from the Washington Capitals in exchange for Colorado's first round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft and a conditional second round pick in either 2012 or 2013. After the move was completed, the Avalanche announced they had signed the 23-year-old netminder to a three-year contract worth $8.5 million. The deal averages out to $2.83 million per season. In 27 games last season with the Capitals, he posted an 11-9-5 record, two shutouts, a 2.23 GAA, and a .924 save percentage. He missed a combined total of 29 games in 2010-11 becuase of injuries. This is a decent move for the Avalanche, as Varlamov brings a lot of skill between the pipes for the team. He has good size and plenty of upside to become an elite goaltender at the NHL level. However, Varlamov does have consistency issues from time to time, so a first and second round pick could turn out to be a steep price if he can't play a more consistent game.

Avalanche Sign Jan Hejda, Chuck Kobasew, J.S. Giguere

The Colorado Avalanche announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed defenseman Jan Hejda to a four-year contract worth $13 million and right wing Chuck Kobasew and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere to two-year contracts worth $2.5 million a piece. Hejda's contract will average out to $3.25 million per year, while Kobasew and Giguere's deals will pay them $1.25 million per season. In 77 games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Hejda had five goals and 15 assists for 20 points, while Kobasew had nine goals and seven assists for 16 points in 63 games with the Minnesota Wild. In 33 games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Giguere posted an 11-11-4 record, with a 2.87 GAA, and a .900 save percentage. These are decent signings for the Avalanche, as all three players will add lots of veteran depth to the team at their respective positions. Hejda brings lots of puck-moving ability to the blueline, as well as lots of skill as a shutdown defenseman. Kobasew gives the Avalanche some two-way ability on the forward lines, as well as some speed. Giguere brings a wealth of experience in goal and is a solid contributor who can win games when he is at the top of his game. Look for him to serve as a mentor to the newly acquired Semyon Varlamov.

Devils Sign Johan Hedberg to One-Year Deal

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Johan Hedberg to a one-year contract worth $1.25 million. In 34 games last season, he posted a 15-12-2 record, three shutouts, a 2.38 GAA, and a .912 save percentage. Not a bad signing for the Devils, as Hedberg was solid in goal for the team last season as the backup to Martin Brodeur. Look for him to play just as well in 2011-12 as he did in 2010-11.

Senators Sign Francis Lessard to One-Year Contract

The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have re-signed right wing Francis Lessard to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 24 games last season with the Senators, he had no points and 78 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 36 games with Binghamton of the AHL, scoring two goals and one assist for three points and 187 penalty minutes. This is really just a depth signing for the Senators, as Lessard brings lots of grit and physical play to the team, but not a lot of offensive upside. More than likely, he will spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Hurricanes Sign Jiri Tlusty to One-Year Contract

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have signed center Jiri Tlusty to a one-year contract worth $525,000. In 57 games last season with the Hurricanes, he had six goals and six assists for 12 points. He also appeared in five games with Charlotte of the AHL, scoring one goal and one assist for two points. This is an okay depth signing for Carolina, as Tlusty has the skills to become a talented forward at the NHL level, but has been unable to prove it thus far. He does have some playmaking skill and can be creative with the puck, but is not very good defensively and will probably not be a huge goal-scorer. Due to his inconsistency, he will likely be relegated to third or fourth line duties next season in Carolina.

Flyers Sign Andreas Lilja to One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have signed defenseman Andreas Lilja to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 52 games last season with the Anaheim Ducks, he had one goal and six assists for seven points and 28 penalty minutes. This is an okay depth signing for the Flyers, as Lilja will bring plenty of grit and toughness to their blueline. He has some stay-at-home defenseman qualities and is good on the penalty kill. Although, he does have a tendency to make defensive zone blunders and turn over the puck. He will likely play a fifth or sixth defensive role on the team next season.

Canucks Sign Mark Mancari to One-Year Contract

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have signed right wing Mark Mancari to a one-year contract worth $525,000. In 20 games last season with the Buffalo Sabres, he had one goal and seven assists for eight points. He also appeared in 56 games with Portland of the AHL, scoring 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Canucks. If Mancari makes the team next season, it will likely be on the fourth line. However, if he spends any time in the minors next season, he will provide lots of offensive skill for the Chicago Wolves, Vancouver's new AHL affiliate.

Coyotes Sign Radim Vrbata to Three-Year Deal

The Phoenix Coyotes have announced that they have re-signed right wing Radim Vrbata to a three-year contract worth $9 million. The deal will pay him $3 million per season. In 79 games last season, he had 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points. Not a bad signing for the Coyotes, as Vrbata brings plenty of offensive depth to the wing. He has had a lot of success in Phoenix and has always put up decent numbers with the club. Look for him to continue to be one of the team's more reliable scorers over the next three years.

Blues Sign Matt D'Agostini to Two-Year Contract

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have re-signed right wing Matt D'Agostini to a two-year contract worth $2.3 million. The deal will pay him $1.15 million per season. In all 82 games last season, he had 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points. This is a good signing for the Blues, as D'Agostini had a fine season with the team in 2010-11. He's decent on the power play, has some scoring upside, and has a good shot despite being somewhat inconsistent in his scoring. However, D'Agostini saw increased ice time last season due to injuries to T.J. Oshie and David Perron, which lead to his high stats. He may have a hard time duplicating his success of last season if he doesn't play a top-six role next season. Given the current offensive depth on the Blues' roster, he will have to fight for a top-six role at training camp in September.

Stars Sign Radek Dvorak and Vernon Fiddler

The Dallas Stars announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed right wing Radek Dvorak to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million and left wing Vernon Fiddler to a three-year contract worth $5.4 million. Fiddler's deal will average out to $1.8 million per season. In 66 games last season with the Florida Panthers and Atlanta Thrashers, Dvorak had seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points. Fiddler appeared in 71 games last season with the Phoenix Coyotes, scoring six goals and 16 assists for 22 points. These aren't bad depth signings for the Stars, as both players will bring plenty of offensive depth to the team. Dvorak will bring plenty of two-way skill to the wing, as well as experience to the penalty kill. He should be an effective third line forward for the Stars. Fiddler has solid defensive skill, is good on faceoffs, can play an agitating brand of hockey, and is good on the penalty kill. He should be an excellent checking line forward for the team.

Sabres Sign Cody McCormick to Three-Year Extension

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have signed center Cody McCormick to a three-year contract extension worth $3.6 million. The deal will average out to $1.2 million per season. In 81 games last season, he had eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points and 142 penalty minutes. Not a bad signing for the Sabres, as McCormick is a hard worker on the ice, plays with lots of grit and toughness, and is versatile enough to play on the wing. He should be a good fit on the checking lines for the next three years.

Flames Sign Chris Butler to Two-Year Deal

The Calgary Flames have announced that they have signed defenseman Chris Butler to a two-year contract worth $2.5 million. The deal will pay him $1.25 million per season. He was acquired by the Flames on June 25 from the Buffalo Sabres along with Paul Byron in exchange for Robyn Regehr, Ales Kotalik, and Calgary's second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. In 49 games last season with the Sabres, Butler had two goals and seven assists for nine points. Not a bad signing for the Flames, as Butler will bring plenty of puck-moving skill and depth to their blueline. With a bigger role in Calgary, look for him to improve his game over the next two seasons.

Devils Sign Andy Greene to Four-Year Extension

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have signed defenseman Andy Greene to a four-year contract extension worth $12 million. The deal will pay him $3 million per season. In all 82 games last season with New Jersey, he had four goals and 19 assists for 23 points. This isn't a bad signing for the Devils, as Greene brings solid puck-moving skills to the blueline. He is also very mobile and has a little offensive skill despite being somewhat inconsistent in his scoring. Look for him to play a top-four role on the team for the foreseeable future.

Panthers Sign Jose Theodore, Scottie Upshall, Ed Jovanovski

The Florida Panthers were very busy in the opening hours of free agency on July 1 by signing goaltender Jose Theodore to a two-year contract worth $3 million and right wing Scottie Upshall and defenseman Ed Jovanovski to four-year contracts worth $14 million and $16.5 million, respectively. Theodore's contract will pay him $1.5 million per season, Upshall's will pay him $3.5 million per season, and Jovanovski will get $4.125 million each year. In 32 games last season with the Minnesota Wild, Theodore posted a 15-11-3 record, one shutout, a 2.71 GAA, and a .916 save percentage. Upshall appeared in 82 games last season with the Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring 22 goals and 12 assists for 34 points. In 50 games last season with the Phoenix Coyotes, Jovanovski had five goals and nine assists for 14 points and 39 penalty minutes. These are good signings for the Panthers, as all three players will greatly improve the team at their respective positions. Theodore will bring lots of depth and experience in goal for the team. He has excellent positioning and is very agile and will likely begin the 2011-12 season as Florida's starting goaltender. Upshall will bring lots of experience and offensive skill to the wing, as well as plenty of grit and energy despite being a bit prone to injury. Jovanovski will bring plenty of size, aggression, grit, and veteran depth to the blueline. He will also brings loads of leadership to the rebuilding club. Plus, this will be Jovanovski's second stint with the Panthers, where he previously played from 1995 to 1999, and will likely be welcomed back warmly by the fans.

Hurricanes Sign Tim Brent to One-Year Contract

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have signed center Tim Brent to a two-year contract worth $1.5 million. The deal will pay him $700,000 in 2011-12 and $800,000 in 2012-13. In 79 games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he had eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points. This is an okay depth signing for the Hurricanes, as Brent will likely only see action on the fourth line. He is a good faceoff man and is a decent checker, so he should be a capable fourth line forward for the team.

Coyotes Sign Raffi Torres, Boyd Gordon, Mike Smith

The Phoenix Coyotes announced a trio of signings on July 1 by inking left wing Raffi Torres to a two-year contract worth $3.5 million, center Boyd Gordon to a two-year contract worth $2.65 million, and goaltender Mike Smith to a two-year contract worth $4 million. Torres will be paid $1.75 million per season, Gordon will get $1.325 million each season, and Smith will make $2 million per season. In 80 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks, Torres had 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points and 78 penalty minutes. Gordon played in 60 games last season with the Washington Capitals, scoring three goals and six assists for nine points. In 22 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Smith posted a 13-6-1 record, one shutout, a 2.90 GAA, and a .899 save percentage. He missed 18 games with a knee injury. These aren't bad depth signings for the Coyotes, as all three players will bring plenty of depth to their respective positions. Torres brings some offensive skill to the team, as well as plenty of grit and toughness and some skill to the power play. He should be a good addition to the team. Gordon is a decent defensive forward who is excellent on the faceoff and is versatile enough to play on the wing. He doesn't have a lot of offensive ability and isn't a consistent scorer, so he will likely play on the third or fourth line next season. Smith brings plenty of veteran depth in goal, as well as lots of size, but is terribly inconsistent and prone to playing bad stretches of hockey. With Smith and Jason Labarbera set to be the goaltending tandem in Phoenix next season, the team is likely to struggle in goal given the consistency issues of both goalies.

Capitals Sign Jeff Halpern to One-Year Deal

Jeff Halpern is heading back to the team he started his NHL career with. The Washington Capitals announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed the 35-year-old center to a one-year contract worth $875,000. In 72 games last season with the Montreal Canadiens, he scored 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points. He missed the last four games of the 2010-11 regular season and three playoff games with a lower-body injury. Not a bad signing for the Capitals, as Halpern will bring lots of veteran depth to the team. He's a decent defensive forward who is great on the penalty kill, so he should be a very effective forward for Washington next season.

Stars Sign Defenseman Adam Pardy to Two-Year Deal

The Dallas Stars have announced that they have signed defenseman Adam Pardy to a two-year contract worth $4 million. The deal will pay him $2 million per season. In 30 games last season with the Calgary Flames, he had one goal and six assists for seven points. He missed 25 games early in the 2010-11 season with a shoulder injury and the last 27 games of the season with an upper body injury. Not a bad depth signing for the Stars, as Pardy brings the team plenty of size and a little bit of grit on defense. However, $2 million per season is a bit much for him, so he will really have to prove he is worth that money at training camp and throughout the course of the regular season.

Lightning Add Mathieu Garon and J.T. Wyman

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have signed goaltender Mathieu Garon to a two-year contract worth $2.6 million and right wing J.T. Wyman to a one-year, two-way contract. Garon's deal will pay him $1.3 million per season, while the financial terms of Wyman's deal were not disclosed. In 36 games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Garon posted a 10-14-6 record, three shutouts, a 2.72 GAA, and a .901 save percentage. Wyman appeared in 80 games last season with Hamilton of the AHL, scoring 18 goals and 18 assists for 36 points. Garon is a decent depth signing for the Lightning, as he is a hard worker on the ice and is an excellent backup goalie. He should be a good compliment to Dwayne Roloson next season. As for Wyman, he is just a depth signing and will likely spend all of next season in the minors.

Wild Re-Sign Josh Harding and Drew Bagnall

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Josh Harding to a one-year contract worth $750,000 and defenseman Drew Bagnall to a two-year contract. The financial terms of Bagnall's deal were not disclosed. Harding missed all of the 2010-11 season due to a knee injury he sustained in an exhibition game on September 24 against the St. Louis Blues. He last played during the 2009-10 season with the Wild, posting a 9-12-0 record, one shutout, a 3.05 GAA, and a .905 save percentage. Bagnall played in two games last season with Minnesota, scoring no points. He also appeared in 72 games with Houston of the AHL, recording two assists and 112 penalty minutes. Harding is not a bad signing for the Wild, provided he has fully recovered from the knee injury. If he is healthy, he will be a solid backup goalie for the team, and has plenty of upside to jump into the starter's role if Niklas Backstrom should struggle or succumb to injury. As for Bagnall, he is just a depth signing for the Wild and will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Red Wings Re-Sign Patrick Eaves and Drew Miller

The Detroit Red Wings retained some offensive depth on the first day of free agency by re-signing right wing Patrick Eaves to a three-year contract worth $3.6 million and left wing Drew Miller to a two-year contract worth $1.65 million. Eaves' contract will average out to $1.2 million per season, while Miller's deal will pay him $825,000 per season. In 63 games last season, Eaves had 13 goals and seven assists for 20 points. He missed three games with an upper-body injury and 10 games with a groin injury. Miller appeared in 67 games last season, scoring 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points. These are decent depth signings for the Red Wings, as both players are very hard-working forwards for the team. Eaves is a good skater, brings plenty of offensive skill to the forward lines, and is versatile enough to play on both wings. Miller brings plenty of defensive skill to the forward lines, as well as a strong work ethic and some skill to the penalty kill. Both players should continue to be good fits in Detroit for the duration of their contracts. Plus, their inexpensive contracts make them very affordable for the Red Wings and are good bargains at their skill levels.

Canucks Re-Sign Sami Salo and Chris Higgins

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have re-signed defenseman Sami Salo to a one-year contract worth $2 million and left wing Chris Higgins to a two-year contract worth $3.8 million. The deal will average out to $1.9 million per season. In 27 games last season, Salo had three goals and four assists for seven points. He missed 55 games with an Achilles' tendon injury. The Canucks acquired Higgins on February 28 from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Evan Oberg and a third round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft. In 62 games last season with the Panthers and Canucks, he had 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points. These aren't bad signing for the Canucks, as both players bring plenty of depth to the team at their respective positions. Salo has good size, a decent shot, and brings plenty of offensive skill to the blueline despite being very prone to injury. If Salo can stay healthy all of next season, he should help Vancouver remain competitive on defense. Higgins brings the team plenty of offensive depth to the third and fourth lines, as well as some two-way ability and skill on the penalty kill. He was a fine addition for Vancouver after being acquired by the team and should continue to fit in well over the next two years.

Penguins Sign Tyler Kennedy to Two-Year Contract

The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that they have re-signed right wing Tyler Kennedy to a two-year contract worth $4 million. The deal will pay him $2 million per season. In 80 games last season, he had 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points. He added two goals and one assist for three points in seven playoff games. Not a bad signing for the Penguins, as Kennedy brings plenty of offensive depth to the team. He has some offensive skill, plays with some ruggedness, and brings lots of energy to the team. He should continue to be a decent forward for Pittsburgh next season.

Oilers Sign Ben Eager and Darcy Hordichuk

The Edmonton Oilers added some toughness to their lineup on the first day of free agency by signing left wing Ben Eager to a three-year contract worth $3.3 million and left wing Darcy Hordichuk to a one-year contract worth $800,000. Eager's deal will pay him $1.1 million per season. In 68 games last season with the Atlanta Thrashers and San Jose Sharks, he had seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points and 120 penalty minutes. Hordichuk appeared in 64 games last season with the Florida Panthers, scoring one goal and four assists for five points and 76 penalty minutes. These are decent depth signings for the Oilers, as they have added a couple physical bodies to their checking lines. Eager plays with lots of grit and toughness, is willing to drop the gloves to defend his teammates, and is great as an agitating winger. Hordichuk plays with plenty of energy, will drop the gloves to defend teammates, and plays with a physical edge. They should help make the Oilers a more physical team on offense next season.

Blackhawks Sign Jamal Mayers, Sean O'Donnell, Andre Brunette, Daniel Carcillo

The Chicago Blackhawks added a slew of new players on the first day of free agency by signing right wing Jamal Mayers, defenseman Sean O'Donnell, left wing Andrew Brunette, and left wing Daniel Carcillo to one-year contracts. Mayers' deal will pay him $550,000, O'Donnell will get $850,000, Brunette will be paid $2 million, and Carcillo will make $775,000. In 78 games last season with the San Jose Sharks, Mayers had three goals and 11 assists for 14 points and 124 penalty minutes, while Brunette had 18 goals and 28 assists for 46 points in all 82 games with the Minnesota Wild. O'Donnell appeared in 81 games with the Philadelphia Flyers, scoring one goal and 17 assists for 18 points and 87 penalty minutes, while Carcillo had four goals and two assists for six points and 127 penalty minutes in 57 games with the Flyers. These are decent depth signings for the Blackhawks, as they have become a much more physical team with these players. Mayers and Carcillo bring lots of grit and toughness to the checking lines, while O'Donnell provides lots of veteran depth and toughness to their blueline. Brunette brings plenty of playmaking skill and offensive depth to the wing, as well as a little leadership. All four players should be decent additions to the team next season.

Wild Acquire Dany Heatley from Sharks for Martin Havlat

The Minnesota Wild completed a blockbuster trade on Sunday evening by acquiring right wing Dany Heatley from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for right wing Martin Havlat. Heatley still has three years remaining on his current contract, while Havlat has four years left on his current deal. This is the second major trade the two teams have completed with each other this off-season. On June 24, Minnesota sent Brent Burns and a second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft to San Jose for Devin Setoguchi, prospect Charlie Coyle, and the Sharks' first round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft, which the Wild used to select Zack Phillips. In 80 games last season with the Sharks, Heatley had 26 goals and 38 assists for 64 points, while Havlat had 22 goals and 40 assists for 62 points in 78 games with Minnesota. This is an excellent move for the Wild, as Heatley will add lots of offensive skill to the re-vamped team. He also brings a great shot and plenty of skill on the power play to the team. As for the Sharks, Havlat will bring plenty of offensive skill and speed to the wing, as well as a cheaper salary than Heatley. With the Sharks faltering in the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row, there's no doubt GM Doug Wilson was looking to shake-up the team a bit in order to get them to the Stanley Cup Finals. Only time will tell if the two trades with Minnesota will give the Sharks enough of a jolt to win the Stanley Cup in 2012.

Blue Jackets Sign James Wisniewski to Six-Year Contract

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have re-signed defenseman James Wisniewski to a six-year contract worth $33 million. The deal will average $5.5 million per season. His negotiating rights were acquired by the Blue Jackets on June 29 from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a conditional seventh round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. The pick became a fifth-rounder since Columbus signed him to a contract. The Canadiens acquired Wisniewski last December from the New York Islanders in exchange for a second round pick in 2011 and a conditional fifth round pick in 2012. In 75 games last season with the Islanders and Canadiens, he had 10 goals and 41 assists for 51 points. This is a good signing for the Blue Jackets, as they were in need of some offensive depth on defense. Wisniewski has lots of offensive skill, is an excellent power play quarterback, and plays with plenty of toughness. He should be a good fit for Columbus throughout the duration of the contract.

Blues Sign Adam Cracknell to One-Year Deal

According to thehockeynews.com, the St. Louis Blues have re-signed right wing Adam Cracknell to a one-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been a Group Six unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 24 games last season with the Blues, he had three goals and four assists for seven points. He also appeared in 61 games with Peoria of the AHL, scoring six goals and 19 assists for 25 points. This is really nothing more than a depth signing for the Blues, as Cracknell will likely spend much of next season in the minors, providing plenty of offensive depth for Peoria.

Avalanche Sign Ryan O'Byrne to Two-Year Extension

The Colorado Avalanche announced on Thursday that they have re-signed defenseman Ryan O'Byrne to a two-year contract worth $3.6 million. The deal will pay him $1.8 million per season. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. O'Byrne was acquired by the Avalanche last November from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for prospect Michael Bournival. In 64 games last season with the Canadiens and Avalanche, he had 10 assists and 71 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for Colorado, as O'Byrne will bring lots of grit, toughness, and size to their blueline. He will likely play on the third defensive pairing next season for the team.

Red Wings Sign Jonathan Ericsson to Three-Year Extension

The Detroit Red Wings announced Thursday evening that they have signed defenseman Jonathan Ericsson to a three-year contract extension worth $9.75 million. The deal will pay him $3.25 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 74 games last season, he had three goals and 12 assists for 15 points and 87 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Red Wings, as Ericsson brings lots of size and grit to the blueline. He also brings plenty of mobility and some defensive upside to the team. However, the Red Wings definitely overpaid to retain his services, as he still has yet to prove that he is worth this kind of money. With a very limited pool of free agent defensemen to choose from on July 1 and a need for defensive depth with the retirement of Brian Rafalski, it would seem Red Wings' GM Ken Holland offered Ericsson such a hefty contract to keep him from leaving the team via free agency and creating another hole in the team's defense. Ericsson will have to greatly improve his game over the next three years to show that he is worth the $3.25 million per season.

Sabres Sign Christian Ehrhoff to 10-Year, $40 Million Contract

The Buffalo Sabres prevented one of the top free agent defensemen from hitting the market on Friday by signing Christian Ehrhoff to a 10-year contract worth $40 million. The deal will pay him $9 million in 2011-12 and 2012-13, $4 million in 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17, $3 million in 2017-18, and $1 million in 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21. The deal includes a no-movement clause and a modified no-trade clause. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Sabres acquired Ehrhoff's negotiating rights from the New York Islanders on June 29. His rights were acquired by the Islanders just one day prior from the Vancouver Canucks. In 79 games last season with the Canucks, he had 14 goals and 36 assists for 50 points. This is an excellent signing for the Sabres, as Ehrhoff will bring lots of offensive skill to the team's blueline. He is also excellent on the power play and can log lots of minutes. Even though he will likely be a solid addition for Buffalo, a 10-year contract is a bit excessive for just about any player. When the current CBA expires, the NHL needs to look into limiting teams to no more than five years on a contract for any player to prevent any type of salary cap circumvention.

Blackhawks Sign Steve Montador to Four-Year Contract

Just one day after acquiring the negotiating rights to defenseman Steve Montador from the Buffalo Sabres, the Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed the 31-year-old blueliner to a four-year contract worth $11 million. The deal will average out to $2.75 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 73 games last season with the Buffalo Sabres, he had five goals and 21 assists for 26 points and 83 penalty minutes. This is a decent signing for the Blackhawks, as Montador will bring plenty of grit and toughness to the team. He will also bring some offensive skill to the blueline, which will help fill the void that was created when the Blackhawks shipped Brian Campbell to the Florida Panthers on June 24.