Lightning Sign Victor Hedman to Five-Year Extension

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that they have signed defenseman Victor Hedman to a five-year contract extension worth $20 million. The deal will average out to $4 million per season. He would have been eligible for restricted free agency at the end of this season. In 20 games so far this season, he has two goals and a minus-5 rating. This is a great signing for the Lightning, as Hedman has the potential to become an elite defenseman at the NHL level. He is a great skater, is developing some excellent shutdown skills, and has lots of offensive potential. While he hasn't put up a lot of points thus far in his NHL career, defensemen do take a little more time to develop than forwards, and within a few years, Hedman will likely be starting to play up to his potential and will be a bargain at $4 million.

Hurricanes Claim Andreas Nodl Off Waivers from Flyers

The Carolina Hurricanes announced today that they have claimed left wing Andreas Nodl off waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers. In 12 games with the Flyers this season, he has one assist. He recently missed six games with a lower-body injury. Not a bad move for the Hurricanes, as Nodl will add some two-way ability to the team. He wasn't getting much ice time in Philadelphia, so that figure will likely increase now that he is a member of the Hurricanes.

Sabres Sign Joe Finley to Three-Year Contract

The Buffalo Sabres announced on Monday that they have signed defenseman Joe Finley to a three-year, two-way contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He had attended the Sabres' training camp on a tryout basis this past September. In 18 games so far this season with Rochester of the AHL, he has one goal and one assist for two points and 57 penalty minutes. He has yet to play in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Sabres, as Finley will likely the majority of this season in the minors. However, he does have a lot of size and strength and also plays a very physical game, so he would definitely add a lot of toughness to the Buffalo blueline should he be recalled from the minors.

Lightning Re-Sign Dana Tyrell to Two-Year Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Monday that they have re-signed center Dana Tyrell to a two-year, one-way contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been eligible for restricted free agency in the off-season. In three games with the Lightning so far this season, he has one assist. He has also appeared in 18 games with Norfolk of the AHL, scoring four goals and five assists for nine points. Not a bad depth move for the Lightning, as Tyrell brings plenty of energy to the lineup. He also has lots of speed and is good on the penalty kill. Look for him to continue to play a bottom-six forward role on the team for the duration of the contract.

Flames Claim Blake Comeau Off Waivers from NY Islanders

The Calgary Flames have announced that they have claimed left wing Blake Comeau off waivers from the New York Islanders. In 16 games with the Islanders, he had no points and a -11 rating. In 77 games last season, he had 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points. Not a bad pick-up for the Flames, as Comeau brings some offensive and goal scoring depth to the team despite being inconsistent in his scoring from time to time. He struggled mightily with the Islanders this season, so perhaps the change of scenery can help Comeau turn his game around.

Coyotes Re-Sign Kyle Turris to Two-Year Contract

The Phoenix Coyotes announced on Tuesday that they have re-signed center Kyle Turris to a two-year contract worth $2.8 million. The deal will pay him $1.2 million in the first year and $1.6 million in the second year. Turris, who had been a restricted free agent, and the Coyotes could not come to terms on a new deal this past summer, so the 22-year-old forward held out and refused to play this season. He had until December 1 to sign a new contract in order to be eligible to play in the NHL this season. It is rumored he was holding out for $3-4 million per season, but reportedly wants out of Phoenix. He had asked for a trade in late October, and at the time, Coyotes' GM Don Maloney stated that Turris would not be traded. In 65 games last season with the Coyotes, he had 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points. He also appeared in two games with San Antonio of the AHL, scoring one assist. More than likely, Turris is going to lose a great deal of respect from his teammates by holding out for so long and could end up on the trading block by season's end despite Maloney's desire to keep him. With only 46 points in 131 NHL games, Turris is not worth the $3-4 million he was reportedly asking for and wasted a lot of time and development by holding out for that much money. While he has the potential to become a scoring forward in the NHL, Turris will have to work very hard on the ice throughout this season and the next to show that he will be worth more money in two years.

Ducks Claim Niklas Hagman Off Waivers from Flames

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have claimed left wing Niklas Hagman off re-entry waivers from the Calgary Flames. Both teams will split the remainder of his $3 million contract this season. In eight games with the Flames this season, he has one goal and three assists for four points. Not a bad move for the Ducks, as Hagman will bring some offensive depth and scoring ability to the wing despite being a bit inconsistent in his scoring. He could end up playing on the Ducks' second line if they decide to give him a fresh start.

Blues Acquire Kris Russell from Blue Jackets for Nikita Nikitin

The St. Louis Blues announced on Friday that they have acquired defenseman Kris Russell from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Nikita Nikitin. In 12 games with the Blue Jackets this season, Russell has two goals and one assist for three points, while Nikitin has no points in seven games with the Blues. Not a bad depth move for the Blues, as Russell will bring some offensive upside to the team. He also plays with some grit and has some puckmoving skill. The change of scenery may help jump-start his NHL career, but playing on a much deeper defensive corps in St. Louis might make it harder for him to do so. As for the Blue Jackets, Nikitin will bring some defensive upside and puckmoving skill to the team's blueline. He should get more opportunities to improve his overall game in Columbus than he did in St. Louis.

Ducks Claim Ben Maxwell Off Waivers from Jets

The Anaheim Ducks announced on Thursday that they have claimed center Ben Maxwell off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. In four games with the Jets this season, he had no points. Not a bad depth move for the Ducks, as Maxwell will bring some two-way skill to the team. For now, he will likely play on the fourth line.

Oilers Claim Taylor Chorney Off Waivers from Blues

The Edmonton Oilers announced on Thursday that they have claimed defenseman Taylor Chorney off waivers from the St. Louis Blues and assigned him to their AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City. The Blues had previously claimed him off waivers from the Oilers on October 11. In two games with the Blues, Chorney had no points. He missed 10 games at the beginning of the season with a sprained knee. Not a bad pickup for the Oilers, as Chorney is a very mobile defenseman with some puckmoving skills and a little offensive upside. For now, he will remain in the minors unless injuries begin to mount on Edmonton's blueline.

Blue Jackets Acquire Mark Letestu from Penguins

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that they have acquired center Mark Letestu from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. In 11 games so far this season with the Penguins, he has one assist. Not a bad depth move for the Blue Jackets, as Letestu will add some much needed depth at center. He has some two-way upside, a little offensive ability, and some skill on the faceoff. He should be a decent fourth line center for the team. As for Pittsburgh, this move likely indicates that Sidney Crosby is ready to return to the lineup after being sidelined with a concussion since January. It would not surprise me at all if he plays in Friday's game against the Dallas Stars.

NY Rangers Acquire Bouchard from Capitals for Kundratek

The New York Rangers announced today that they have acquired right wing Francois Bouchard from the Washington Capitals in exchange for defenseman Tomas Kundratek. In nine games so far this season with Hershey of the AHL, Bouchard has no points. Kundratek has two assists in seven games with Connecticut of the AHL. Both players have yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth move for both teams, as Bouchard and Kundratek will likely spend the entire season in the minors. However, with Wojtek Wolski and Mike Rupp both currently sidelined with injuries, it is possible Bouchard could see some time on the Rangers' fourth line, but it's an outside chance at this point.