Devils Sign Steve Bernier to One-Year Contract

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have signed right wing Steve Bernier to a one-year, two-way contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He attended the team's training camp this past September on a tryout basis and has been playing with their AHL affiliate in Albany since the start of the 2011-12 season. In 17 games with Albany, he has three goals and three assists for six points. This is a depth signing at best for the Devils, as Bernier has struggled to find offensive consistency for the past couple of seasons. However, he has good size and can play a role as a penalty killer. He was recalled from the minors after the signing, so look for Bernier to play on New Jersey's fourth line.

Capitals Sign Joel Rechlicz to One-Year Contract

The Washington Capitals have announced that they have signed right wing Joel Rechlicz to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He attended Washington's training camp this past September on a tryout basis. He last played in the NHL with the New York Islanders during the 2009-10 season. In 27 games this season with Hershey of the AHL, he has one goal and one assist for two points and 184 penalty minutes. This is just a depth signing for the Capitals to add some toughness to their lineup, as Rechlicz plays a very physical game but has no offensive upside whatsoever. Look for him to play on the fourth line if he sees any time with the Capitals.

Flames Acquire Akim Aliu from Jets for John Negrin

The Calgary Flames announced on Monday that they have acquired right wing Akim Aliu from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for defenseman John Negrin. In 13 games this season with Abbotsford of the AHL, Aliu has four goals and one assist for five points. He also appeared in 10 games with Colorado of the ECHL, scoring two goals and four assists for six points. Negrin has one assist in 26 games with Abbotsford. He has also appeared in nine games with Utah of the ECHL, scoring one goal and five assists for six points. Both players have yet to appear in an NHL game and will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In Aliu, the Flames add a talented forward with plenty of size and some offensive upside despite struggling offensively in the minors. For now, he will bolster Calgary's minor league affiliate in Abbotsford. In Negrin, the Jets get a defenseman with plenty of size and a little offensive ability. He has battled some knee injuries throughout his hockey career, but should be a steady blueliner for the team's AHL affiliate in St. John's.

Hurricanes Sign Tim Gleason to Four-Year Extension

The Carolina Hurricanes announced on Monday that they have signed defenseman Tim Gleason to a four-year contract extension worth $16 million. The deal will pay him $3.5 million next season, $4.5 million in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and $3.5 million in 2015-16. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 51 games so far this season, he has one goal and 13 assists for 14 points and 44 penalty minutes. An excellent signing for the Hurricanes, as Gleason has become one of the team's top blueliners. He's an excellent shutdown defenseman who has plenty of mobility and plays with some grit. Look for him to continue to be one of Carolina's top defensemen over the next four seasons.

Blackhawks Acquire Brendan Morrison from Flames

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have acquired center Brendan Morrison from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Brian Connelly. In 28 games this season with the Flames, Morrison has four goals and seven assists for 11 points. Connelly has five goals and 31 assists for 36 points in 44 games with Rockford of the AHL. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Not a bad move for the Blackhawks, as Morrison will bring plenty of depth up the middle for the team. He also adds some playmaking and faceoff skills to the forward lines. As for the Flames, they land a defensive asset in Connelly, but he is a long shot to make the team at this time. For now, he will provide plenty of offensive skill to the blueline of their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

Sharks Acquire Tim Kennedy from Panthers for Sean Sullivan

The San Jose Sharks announced today that they have acquired center Tim Kennedy from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Sean Sullivan. In 27 games this season with the Panthers, Kennedy has one goal and one assist. He has also appeared in 18 games with San Antonio of the AHL, scoring three goals and six assists for nine points. Sullivan has five goals and 19 assists for 24 points in 32 games with Worcester of the AHL. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is a depth move at best for both teams. Kennedy could see some time on the Sharks' roster as a fourth line forward, while Sullivan will likely remain in the minors for the rest of the season.

Maple Leafs Sign John-Michael Liles to Four-Year Extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Wednesday that they have signed defenseman John-Michael Liles to a four-year contract extension worth $15.5 million. The deal will average out to $3.875 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 34 games this season, Liles has four goals and 17 assists for 21 points. He is currently on injured reserve with a concussion. This is a decent signing for the Maple Leafs, as Liles was having a fine year with the club until being sidelined with the concussion. He brings lots of offensive skill and mobility to the team's blueline, as well as plenty of talent to the power play. Look for him to continue to be a good fit on Toronto's defense for the duration of the contract.

Stars Sign Alex Goligoski to Four-Year Extension

The Dallas Stars announced today that they have signed defenseman Alex Goligoski to a four-year contract extension worth $18.4 million. The deal averages out for $4.6 million per season. He would have been eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 36 games so far this season, he has five goals and 10 assists for 15 points. He missed 11 games this season with a broken thumb. Not a bad signing in terms of skill level, as Goligoski brings plenty of offensive skill to the blueline. He has excellent puck-moving skills and mobility, can play lots of minutes, and brings talent to the power play. However, the salary is a bit steep, as the Stars probably could have signed Goligoski for a little bit less money.

Devils Acquire Alexei Ponikarovsky from Hurricanes

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have acquired left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Joe Sova and a fourth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. In 50 games this season with the Hurricanes, Ponikarovsky has eight goals and eight assists for 16 points. Sova has two goals and two assists for four points in 14 games with Albany of the AHL. He has also appeared in 18 games with Kalamazoo of the ECHL, scoring two goals and five assists for seven points. Not a bad depth move for the Devils, as Ponikarovsky will bring some two-way skill and offensive ability to the forward lines. More than likely, he will play on the team's third line for the remainder of the season. As for the Hurricanes, the subtraction of Ponikarovsky will give one of their younger forwards an opportunity to step up in the second half of the season. As for Sova, he is really just a depth acquisition for the team and will likely remain in the minors for the remainder of the season.

Ducks Sign Francois Beauchemin to Three-Year Extension

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed defenseman Francois Beauchemin to a three-year contract extension worth $10.5 million. The deal will average out to $3.5 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 47 games this season, he has six goals and 12 assists for 18 points. Not a bad signing for the Ducks, as Beauchemin brings a lot of experience to their defense. He has good size, can log lots of minutes, and can play a physical game. He should continue to be a good fit on the team for the next three seasons.

Blue Jackets Sign Brett Lebda to One-Year Contract

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have signed defenseman Brett Lebda to a one-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 26 games this season with Springfield of the AHL, he has one goal and nine assists for 10 points. The 30-year-old defenseman was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Nashville Predators this past summer and then had the final year of his contract bought out by Nashville, making him an unrestricted free agent. Not a bad depth signing for the Blue Jackets, as Lebda will add some mobility to their defense. With Radek Martinek out for the rest of the season with a concussion, Lebda's veteran presence will be valuable to the struggling team.

Predators Claim Brandon Yip Off Waivers from Avalanche

The Nashville Predators have announced that they have claimed right wing Brandon Yip off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche. In 10 games this season with Colorado, he has no points. Not a bad depth move for the Predators, as Yip will bring a little size, speed, and scoring ability to the team despite being a bit inconsistent in his scoring. For now, he will provide offensive depth for the team on the fourth line.

Hurricanes Acquire Dadonov from Panthers in Four-Player Trade

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have acquired right wing Evgeni Dadonov and left wing A.J. Jenks from the Florida Panthers in exchange for center Jonathan Matsumoto and left wing Mattias Lindstrom. In 15 games this season with the Panthers, Dadonov has two goals and one assist for three points. He has also appeared in 22 games with San Antonio and Charlotte of the AHL, scoring five goals and four assists for nine points. Jenks has appeared in 27 games with San Antonio and Charlotte, scoring no points. He also has three goals and three assists for six points in 13 games with Cincinnati of the ECHL. In 44 games with Charlotte and San Antonio, Matsumoto has 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points, while Lindstrom has two assists in 21 games with Tingsryds AIF of the Swedish Elite League.

For the Hurricanes, Dadonov is the key player in this transaction. He has shown flashes of brilliance at the NHL level, but was never very consistent with the Panthers. He has plenty of scoring upside and some puck-control skill, so the change of scenery might do him some good. However, if Dadonov is unable to improve his game, it's possible he could head back to his native Russia in the off-season. Jenks has a little offensive upside, but for now, he will remain in the minors to improve his overall game. For the Panthers, Lindstrom is the key player in the deal. He has some offensive upside and could see some NHL action down the road. Matsumoto gives the team some depth at center, and could see some time in the NHL if injuries continue to mount for the Panthers.

Blues Sign Brian Elliott to Two-Year Extension

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed goaltender Brian Elliott to a two-year contract extension worth $3.6 million. The deal averages out to $1.8 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 22 games this season, Elliott has a 15-5-1 record, five shutouts, a 1.68 GAA, and a .937 save percentage. His solid play so far this season has earned him a roster spot in the 2012 All-Star Game in Ottawa on January 29. After struggling mightily in Ottawa and Colorado last season, Elliott has completely turned his game around and has helped keep the Blues near the top of the standings for most of the season. He covers a lot of space in the net and is quick on his skates despite having consistency issues in the past. If he can keep his solid play going into next season, this will be a steal of a deal for St. Louis.

Blue Jackets Claim Colton Gillies Off Waivers

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have claimed left wing Colton Gillies off waivers from the Minnesota Wild. In 37 games with the Wild this season, has has two assists. Not a bad depth move for Columbus, as Gillies has lots of speed, good size, and some forechecking skill. However, he has struggled quite a bit at the NHL level and likely won't make much of an impact to the current Blue Jackets roster.

Stars Acquire Angelo Esposito from Panthers

The Dallas Stars announced on Friday that they have acquired center Angelo Esposito from the Florida Panthers in exchange for center Ondrej Roman. Both players will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 16 games this season with San Antonio of the AHL, Esposito has two goals and three assists for five points. He also appeared in three games with Cincinnati of the ECHL, scoring one assist. In 24 games this season with Texas of the AHL, Roman has one goal and four assists for five points. He has also appeared in six games with Idaho of the ECHL, scoring two goals and four assists for six points. Both players have yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth move for the Stars, as Esposito has struggled mightily since entering the minor league ranks a couple seasons ago. Once projected to be the first overall pick in the 2007 draft, his stock began to drop during the 2006-07 season. Since then, he has not been able to crack an NHL roster and has seen himself traded several times in the process. Perhaps the change of scenery will help him improve his offensive game a little bit, but more than likely, his offensive output will continue to be low. As for the Panthers, Roman will be a depth player at best for them and will likely remain in the minors for the rest of the season.

Flames Acquire Cammalleri, Ramo from Canadiens for Bourque, Holland

The Calgary Flames swung a major deal on Thursday by acquiring left wing Mike Cammalleri, goaltender Karri Ramo, and a fifth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for left wing Rene Bourque, right wing Patrick Holland, and a second round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft. The trade came just one day after Cammalleri made disparaging remarks on the Canadiens' play as of late. The tam currently sits at the bottom of the Northeast Division with a 16-20-7 record in 43 games and have 39 points. They are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games and have lost two straight games. In 38 games this season with Montreal, Cammalleri has nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points. In 35 games with Avangard Omsk of the KHL, Ramo has a 13-15-7 record, five shutouts, a 1.97 GAA, and a .927 save percentage. Bourque has 13 goals and three assists for 16 points in 38 games with the Flames. He is currently serving a five game suspension for elbowing Washington's Nicklas Backstrom in the head on January 5. In 40 games with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL, Holland has 17 goals and 40 assists for 57 points.

This is an excellent trade for the Flames, as Cammalleri adds plenty of offensive and scoring depth to the team despite struggling in Montreal this season. He enjoyed a productive 2008-09 season in Calgary playing alongside Jarome Iginla, so the two wingers will likely play on the same line once again and hopefully find the offensive spark they once had together. Ramo was drafted by GM Jay Feaster while he was with the Tampa Bay Lightning, so he adds some familiarity in net. However, there is no guarantee that Ramo will play for the Flames in the near future, as he has been playing in the KHL in recent years. Despite struggling for much of the 2011-12 season, this move clearly shows that the Flames are definitely going to make a push for the playoffs. As for the Canadiens, they dealt a player who had clearly lost his passion for the team and also cleared up some salary cap space in the process. In Bourque, they get a big winger who can score and play a physical game despite being a bit of a streaky scorer. He is also excellent on the power play and penalty kill, so they get a well-rounded special teams player in the deal. Holland has shown some promise in the WHL over the past few seasons, so the Canadiens get a prospect with some upside. In the end, the trade is a shakeup for both struggling teams. Cammalleri and Bourque will also look for fresh starts with their new teams and hopefully improve their offensive games.

Oilers Sign Corey Potter to Two-Year Extension

The Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have signed defenseman Corey Potter to a two-year contract extension. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 28 games this season, he has three goals and 12 assists for 15 points. A depth signing at best for the Oilers, but not a bad one, as Potter has been a reliable defenseman for the team all season. He has some mobility and good size, but more than likely he will play as a third-pairing defenseman for the team for the duration of his new deal.

Coyotes Claim Gilbert Brule Off Waivers from Oilers

The Phoenix Coyotes announced today that they have claimed center Gilbert Brule off re-entry waivers from the Edmonton Oilers. Phoenix will now be responsible for half of his $1.85 million salary. In 27 games this season with Edmonton's AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City, Brule has eight goals and 10 assists for 18 points. He has not appeared in an NHL game so far this season. Not a bad depth move for the Coyotes, as Brule has some playmaking ability and can play a physical game from time to time. However, inconsistency and injuries have dogged him throughout his NHL career and have kept from developing into the high-scoring forward he was projected to be when Columbus drafted him sixth overall in 2005. Perhaps the change of scenery can help Brule get his career back on track and improve his game.

Lightning Sign Tom Pyatt to Two-Year Extension

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Monday that they have signed center Tom Pyatt to a two-year contract extension worth $1.2 million. The deal will pay him $600,000 per season. He would have been eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 35 games so far this season, he has three goals and two assists for five points. This is an okay depth signing for the Lightning, as Pyatt will bring some speed and versatility to the lineup. However, he is not a big point producing forward at the NHL level, so he will likely continue to play a fourth line role for the team over the next two seasons.

Blues Sign Ryan Reaves to Two-Year Extension

The St. Louis Blues announced on Monday that they have signed right wing Ryan Reaves to a two-year contract extension. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 25 games so far this season, he has no points and 48 penalty minutes. This is a depth signing at best for the Blues, as Reaves plays a very physical game, but doesn't have a lot of offensive upside. Look for him to play an enforcer role on the checking lines over the next two seasons.

Flames Acquire Blair Jones from Lightning for Brendan Mikkelson

The Calgary Flames announced today that they have acquired center Blair Jones from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Brendan Mikkelson. In 22 games this season with the Lightning, Jones has two goals and two assists for four points. He also appeared in five games with Norfolk of the AHL, scoring two goals and two assists for four points. In 33 games this season with Abbotsford of the AHL, Mikkelson has three goals and 12 assists for 15 points. He has not appeared in an NHL game so far this season. This is really just a depth move for both teams. Jones will give the Flames some depth on their checking lines, while Mikkelson gives the Lightning organization some depth on defense. More than likely, he will play on the third defensive pairing if he sees any NHL action this season.

2012 NHL All-Star Game Rosters

Here is a list of the players who have been selected to appear in the 2012 NHL All-Star game in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on January 29. The first six players have already been determined based on fan votes. The remaining 36 players will be unveiled on Thursday, January 12, as well as the 12 NHL rookies who will participate with the NHL All-Stars in the SuperSkills competition. The captains of each team, as well as the alternate captains, will be named at a later date. The team rosters of the All-Star game will be determined a second straight year by the fantasy draft, which will be held on January 26 at 8 PM. Each team will consist of three goalies, six defensemen, and 12 forwards. Here are the six players who received the most fan votes and are now scheduled to appear in the All-Star game:

Erik Karlsson, D - Ottawa Senators (939,591 votes)
Daniel Alfredsson, RW - Ottawa Senators (897,055 votes) (CAPTAIN)
Jason Spezza, C - Ottawa Senators (817,483 votes)
Milan Michalek, LW - Ottawa Senators (743,977 votes) (1st appearance)
Tim Thomas, G - Boston Bruins (626,540 votes)
Dion Phaneuf, D - Toronto Maple Leafs (614,933 votes)

FORWARDS
Jamie Benn, LW - Dallas Stars (1st appearance)
Logan Couture, C - San Jose Sharks (1st appearance)
Pavel Datsyuk, C - Detroit Red Wings
Jordan Eberle, RW - Edmonton Oilers (1st appearance)
Marian Gaborik, RW - New York Rangers
Claude Giroux, C - Philadelphia Flyers
Scott Hartnell, LW - Philadelphia Flyers (1st appearance)
Marian Hossa, RW - Chicago Blackhawks
Jarome Iginla, RW - Calgary Flames
Patrick Kane, RW - Chicago Blackhawks
Phil Kessel, RW - Toronto Maple Leafs
Joffrey Lupul, RW - Toronto Maple Leafs (1st appearance) (ASSISTANT CAPTAIN)
Evgeni Malkin, C - Pittsburgh Penguins
James Neal, LW - Pittsburgh Penguins (1st appearance)
Corey Perry, RW - Anaheim Ducks
Jason Pominville, RW - Buffalo Sabres (1st appearance)
Daniel Sedin, LW - Vancouver Canucks
Henrik Sedin, C - Vancouver Canucks
Tyler Seguin, C - Boston Bruins (1st appearance)
Steven Stamkos, C - Tampa Bay Lightning
John Tavares, C - New York Islanders (1st appearance)

DEFENSEMEN
Brian Campbell, D - Florida Panthers
Zdeno Chara, D - Boston Bruins (CAPTAIN)
Alexander Edler, D - Vancouver Canucks (1st appearance)
Dan Girardi, D - New York Rangers (1st appearance)
Kris Letang, D - Pittsburgh Penguins
Ryan Suter, D - Nashville Predators (1st appearance)
Kimmo Timonen, D - Philadelphia Flyers
Shea Weber, D - Nashville Predators
Dennis Wideman, D - Washington Capitals (1st appearance)
Keith Yandle, D - Phoenix Coyotes

GOALTENDERS
Brian Elliott, G - St. Louis Blues (1st appearance)
Jimmy Howard, G - Detroit Red Wings (1st appearance)
Henrik Lundqvist, G - New York Rangers (ASSISTANT CAPTAIN)
Carey Price, G - Montreal Canadiens
Jonathan Quick, G - Los Angeles Kings (1st appearance)

COACHES
Claude Julien, Boston Bruins
Doug Houda, Boston Bruins (assistant coach)
Doug Jarvis, Boston Bruins (assistant coach)
Geoff Ward, Boston Bruins (assistant coach)

John Tortorella, New York Rangers
Todd McLellan, San Jose Sharks

NOTE: Julien, Houda, Jarvis, and Ward get to coach one all-star team because of Boston winning the 2011 Stanley Cup. Tortorella and McLellan will get to co-coach the other team because their respected teams have the highest winning percentages in the Eastern and Western Conferences going into Monday, January 9, 2012.


TEAM ALFREDSSON

Daniel Alfredsson, RW (CAPTAIN)
Henrik Lundqvist, G (ASSISTANT CAPTAIN)
1st - Erik Karlsson, D
2nd - Jason Spezza, C
3rd - Jonathan Quick, G
4th - Claude Giroux, C
5th - Kris Letang, D
6th - Steven Stamkos, C
7th - Brian Elliott, G
8th - Shea Weber, D
9th - Daniel Sedin, LW
10th - Dan Girardi, D
11th - Keith Yandle, D
12th - Milan Michalek, LW
13th - Henrik Sedin, C
14th - James Neal, LW
15th - Alexander Edler, D
16th - John Tavares, C
17th - Scott Hartnell, LW
18th - Jason Pominville, RW
19th - Logan Couture, C (last player picked)


TEAM CHARA
Zdeno Chara, D (CAPTAIN)
Joffrey Lupul, RW (ASSISTANT CAPTAIN)
1st - Pavel Datsyuk, C (first overall pick)
2nd - Tim Thomas, G
3rd - Evgeni Malkin, C
4th - Marian Hossa, RW
5th - Kimmo Timonen, D
6th - Corey Perry, RW
7th - Carey Price, G
8th - Phil Kessel, RW
9th - Ryan Suter, D
10th - Jimmy Howard, G
11th - Brian Campbell, D
12th - Patrick Kane, RW
13th - Dion Phaneuf, D
14th - Jarome Iginla, RW
15th - Dennis Wideman, D
16th - Marian Gaborik, RW
17th - Jordan Eberle, RW
18th - Tyler Seguin, C
19th - Jamie Benn, LW


The following players who were scheduled to play in the 2012 All-Star Game will not be participating:

Dustin Byfuglien, D - Winnipeg Jets (knee injury) (replaced by Kris Letang)
Mikko Koivu, C - Minnesota Wild (left shoulder injury) (replaced by Jordan Eberle)
Alex Ovechkin, LW - Washington Capitals (personal reasons) (replaced by James Neal)
Jonathan Toews, C - Chicago Blackhawks (upper-body injury) (replaced by Scott Hartnell)


The 12 NHL rookies selected to only participate in the NHL SuperSkills Competition:

Luke Adam, C - Buffalo Sabres
Sean Couturier, C - Philadelphia Flyers
Raphael Diaz, D - Montreal Canadiens
Justin Faulk, D - Carolina Hurricanes
Colin Greening, LW - Ottawa Senators
Carl Hagelin, LW - New York Rangers
Cody Hodgson, C - Vancouver Canucks
Ryan Johansen, C - Columbus Blue Jackets
Nick Johnson, RW - Minnesota Wild
Gabriel Landeskog, LW - Colorado Avalanche
Matt Read, RW - Philadelphia Flyers
Craig Smith, C - Nashville Predators

The following rookies who were scheduled to participate in in the NHL SuperSkills Competition and will not be participating:

Adam Henrique, C - New Jersey Devils (sore groin) (replaced by Carl Hagelin)
Adam Larsson, D - New Jersey Devils (sore wrist) (replaced by Raphael Diaz)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C - Edmonton Oilers (left shoulder injury) (replaced by Nick Johnson)

Panthers Sign John Madden to One-Year Contract

The Florida Panthers announced today that they have signed center John Madden to a one-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 76 games last season with the Minnesota Wild, he had 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Panthers, as Madden will bring some two-way skill to the forward lines. He also brings plenty of leadership, shutdown skill, and penalty kill experience to a Panthers' team that is currently battered with injuries on offense. He should be a welcome addition to the team.

Ducks Acquire Luca Caputi from Maple Leafs for Nicolas Deschamps

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have acquired left wing Luca Caputi from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for left wing Nicolas Deschamps. In 21 games this season with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, Caputi has two goals and one assist for three points. Deschamps has five goals and two assists for seven points in 31 games with Syracuse of the AHL. Not a bad depth move for both teams, as both players do have some offensive upside and the potential to crack an NHL lineup. However, both players have struggled quite a bit offensively in the minors this season, so a change of scenery might help both Caputi and Deschamps get their offensive games back on track.

Canadiens Sign Josh Gorges to Six-Year Extension

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they have signed defenseman Josh Gorges to a six-year contract extension worth $23.4 million. The deal averages out to $3.9 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 39 games so far this season, he has one goal and nine assists for 10 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Canadiens, as Gorges has developed into an above-average shutdown defenseman. He has a good work ethic and plenty of leadership qualities and will likely be an important player in the Montreal Canadiens' efforts to turn around their struggling team.

Lightning Sign Pierre-Cedric Labrie to Two-Year Deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have signed left wing Pierre-Cedric Labrie to a two-year, two-way contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He was assigned to Tampa Bay's AHL affiliate in Norfolk after the signing. In 28 games so far this season with Norfolk, he has six goals and 12 assists for 18 points and 63 penalty minutes. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Lightning, as Labrie will likely spend the majority of the next two seasons in the minors.