NY Islanders Sign Goaltender John Grahame

The New York Islanders have announced that they have signed goaltender John Grahame for the remainder of the 2011-12 season. He will play as Al Montoya's backup while Evgeni Nabokov recovers from a lower-body injury. Grahame last appeared in the NHL during the 2007-08 season with the Carolina Hurricanes. This is really just a depth signing for the Islanders, as they were likely looking for a veteran goaltender to backup Al Montoya since Kevin Poulin will be sent back to Bridgeport of the AHL to help them in the playoffs.

Blues Sign Adam Cracknell to One-Year Extension

The St. Louis Blues announced on Wednesday that they have signed center Adam Cracknell to a one-year contract extension. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He would have been eligible for group six unrestricted free agency this summer. In two games this season with the Blues, he has one goal. He has also appeared in 64 games with Peoria of the AHL, scoring 20 goals and 26 assists for 46 points. This is really just a depth signing for the Blues, as Cracknell will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors, where he will provide plenty of offensive depth for Peoria.

NY Islanders Sign Evgeni Nabokov to One-Year Extension

The New York Islanders have announced that they have re-signed goaltender Evgeni Nabokov to a one-year contract extension worth $2.75 million. He would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer. In 41 games so far this season, he has an 18-18-3 record, two shutouts, a 2.54 GAA, and a .913 save percentage. This is a solid move for the Islanders, as Nabokov has been fairly steady in net all season despite the team's place in the standings. He will be an excellent option in goal next season, especially if Rick Dipietro is sidelined for a long period of time with an injury, which has become the norm for him every year.

NY Islanders Acquire Yury Alexandrov from Bruins

The New York Islanders announced on Tuesday that they have acquired defenseman Yury Alexandrov from the Boston Bruins in exchange for future considerations. He will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer. In 37 games this season with St. Petersburg SKA and Avangard Omsk of the KHL, he has three goals and three assists for six points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a depth signing for the Islanders, as Alexandrov is going to finish out the season in the KHL. The Islanders' scouts will likely evaluate him for the rest of the season to determine if they will give him a qualifying offer come July 1.

Bruins Sign Shawn Thornton to Two-Year Extension

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have re-signed right wing Shawn Thornton to a two-year contract extension worth $2.2 million. The deal will average out to $1.1 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 71 games so far this season, he has four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 145 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Bruins, as Thornton plays an extremely physical game on the ice. He loves to hit and intimidate the opposition and isn't afraid to drop the gloves to defend his teammates. He will continue to be an excellent fit on Boston's checking lines over the next two years.

Lightning Sign Sebastien Caron to One-Year Contract

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have signed goaltender Sebastien Caron to a one-year contract for the remainder of the 2011-12 season. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. He will be ineligible to play in the post-season if the Lightning make the playoffs since he was signed after the February 27 Trade Deadline. In 49 games this season with Iserlohn of the German League, he posted a 25-23-0 record, five shutouts, a 2.57 GAA, and a .932 save percentage. He last played in the NHL during the 2006-07 season with the Anaheim Ducks. This is really just a depth signing for the Lightning, as Caron is likely going to fill in as the backup for the injured Mathieu Garon.