Blue Jackets Sign Derek MacKenzie to Two-Year Extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that they have re-signed center Derek MacKenzie to a two-year contract worth $2 million.  The deal will average out to $1 million per season.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1.  In 66 games this past season, he had seven goals and seven assists for 14 points.  This is really just a depth signing for the Blue Jackets, as MacKenzie will likely continue to play a fourth line role on the team.

Capitals Sign Dany Sabourin to One-Year Extension

The Washington Capitals announced on Wednesday that they have re-signed goaltender Dany Sabourin to a one-year contract.  Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer.  In 37 games this past season with Hershey of the AHL, he posted an 18-12-5 record, two shutouts, a 2.80 GAA, and a .909 save percentage.  He last appeared in the NHL during the 2008-09 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.  This is really just a depth signing for the Capitals, as Sabourin will likely spend all of next season in the minors, providing plenty of veteran goaltending depth for Hershey.

Blackhawks Sign Johnny Oduya to Three-Year Deal

The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Tuesday that they have signed defenseman Johnny Oduya to a three-year contract extension worth $10.125 million.  The deal will average out to $3.375 million per season.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer.  He was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets on February 27 in exchange for a second and third round pick in the 2013 Entry Draft.  In 81 games this past season with Winnipeg and Chicago, he had three goals and 15 assists for 18 points.  This is an okay signing for the Blackhawks, as Oduya has some mobility and shutdown skill.  However, almost $3.5 million is a bit much for a defenseman who turns over the puck a little too much and will likely play a third-pairing role on the team.  The Blackhawks probably could have found a much better alternative on the free agent market this summer.

Blackhawks Sign Jamal Mayers to One-Year Extension

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have re-signed center Jamal Mayers to a one-year contract worth $650,000.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer.  In 81 games this past season, he had six goals and nine assists for 15 points and 91 penalty minutes.  This is a fairly solid depth signing for the Blackhawks, as Mayers is a big, tough forward who won't back down from a challenge.  He plays with lots of grit, toughness, and energy and is decent on the penalty kill.  He doesn't have a lot of offensive ability, so he will likely continue to play a checking line role with the team in 2012-13.

Bruins Acquire Chris Bourque from Capitals for Zach Hamill

The Boston Bruins have announced that they have acquired left wing Chris Bourque from the Washington Capitals in exchange for center Zach Hamill.  In 73 games this past season with Hershey of the AHL, Bourque had 27 goals and 66 assists for 93 points.  He last appeared in the NHL during the 2009-10 season with Washington and Pittsburgh.  In 16 games this past season with the Bruins, Hamill had two assists.  He also appeared in 41 games with Providence of the AHL, scoring eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points.  Bourque has spent a lot of time in the minors over the past several seasons and has little left to prove at the lower levels.  If the Bruins choose to re-sign the son of long-time Bruin Ray Bourque prior to July 1, he will likely compete for a spot at training camp, where he will bring some offensive depth if he makes the team.  Hamill has some offensive upside and playmaking skill, but has struggled in the minors a little bit over the past few seasons.  The change of scenery could do him some good to help him improve his offensive game.

Blue Jackets Sign Ryan Russell to One-Year Extension

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have re-signed left wing Ryan Russell to a one-year, two-way contract.  The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.  He would have been a group six unrestricted free agent this summer.  In 41 games this past season with Columbus, he had two goals.  He also appeared in 31 games with Springfield of the AHL, scoring nine goals and six assists for 15 points.  This is really just a depth signing for the Blue Jackets, as Russell could likely split next season with Columbus and Springfield.  He does have some two-way ability, so he will likely see time on the checking lines while playing with the Blue Jackets.

Blue Jackets Re-Sign Derek Dorsett to Three-Year Deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have re-signed right wing Derek Dorsett to a three-year contract extension worth $4.9 million.  The deal will pay him $1.5 million in 2012-13, $1.4 million in 2013-14, and $2 million in 2014-15.  He would have been a restricted free agent this summer.  In 77 games this past season, he had 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points and 235 penalty minutes.  Not a bad move for the Blue Jackets, as Dorsett brings lots of toughness and grit to the forward lines, as well as some offensive ability.  Look for him to continue to be an agitating presence on Columbus' checking lines for the next three seasons.

Sabres Sign Alexander Sulzer to One-Year Extension

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have signed defenseman Alexander Sulzer to a one-year contract extension worth $725,000.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer.  He was acquired by the Sabres on February 27 from the Vancouver Canucks along with Cody Hodgson for Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani.  In 27 games this past season with Buffalo and Vancouver, he had three goals and six assists for nine points.  Not a bad depth move for the Sabres, as Sulzer was a fairly steady blueliner for the club after his acquisition, scoring three goals and five assists for eight points in 15 games.  He has good size, plenty of offensive talent, and is very mobile on the ice.  Look for him to fight for a top-four role with the team at training camp in the fall.

Hurricanes Re-Sign McBain, Sanguinetti, Blanchard

The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that they have signed defenseman Jamie McBain to a two-year, $3.6 million contract extension.  The team also re-signed defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti to a one-year, two-way contract and left wing Nicolas Blanchard to a two-year, two-way contract.  McBain's deal will pay him $1.8 million per season, while Sanguinetti will earn $700,000 at the NHL level and $105,000 at the AHL level.  Blanchard will earn $525,000 if he plays in the NHL and $105,000 if he plays in the AHL.  All three players would have been free agents this summer.  In 76 games this past season, McBain had eight goals and 19 assists for 27 points.  Sanguinetti was held pointless in three games with Carolina.  He also appeared in 60 games with Charlotte of the AHL, scoring 10 goals and 40 assists for 50 points.  Blanchard had nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points and 103 penalty minutes in 68 games with Charlotte.  He has yet to appear in an NHL game.

McBain has lots of offensive upside and skill, as well as good size and plenty of talent for the power play.  Look for him to play a top-four role and continue to improve his defensive skills over the next two seasons.  Sanguinetti has plenty of offensive upside and size and could crack Carolina's lineup next season if he impresses at training camp in the fall.  Blanchard is really just a depth signing and will likely spend the majority of the next two seasons in the minors, where he will provide some offensive depth and toughness for Charlotte.  If he does see any action with the Hurricanes, it will likely be on the checking lines.

Avalanche Sign Milan Hejduk to One-Year Extension

The Colorado Avalanche have announced that they have signed right wing Milan Hejduk to a one-year contract extension worth $2 million.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer.  In 81 games this past season, he had 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points.  This is a solid move for the Avalanche, as Hejduk has always been an excellent player on the team.  Despite having one of his worst seasons offensively in 2011-12, he still brings plenty of offensive and goal-scoring skill to the forward lines.  Look for him to also be a mentor for the younger Avalanche players on the team next season.

Senators Sign Pat Cannone to Two-Year Extension

The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have re-signed center Pat Cannone 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 76 games this past season with Binghamton of the AHL, he had 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points.  This is really just a depth signing for the Senators, as Cannone will likely spend the majority of next season in the AHL, providing plenty of offensive depth for Binghamton.  If he sees any time in the NHL during the 2012-13 season, it will likely be as an injury replacement.

Wild Re-Sign Clayton Stoner for Two Years

The Minnesota Wild have announced that they have signed defenseman Clayton Stoner to a two-year contract extension worth $2.1 million.  The deal will average out to $1.05 million per season.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer.  In 51 games this past season, he had one goal and four assists for five points and 62 penalty minutes.  Not a bad signing for the Wild, as Stoner has great size and is a quality stay-at-home defenseman.  He plays a physical game and should continue to be an excellent fit for the Wild over the next two seasons.

Ducks Sign Saku Koivu to One-Year Extension

The Anaheim Ducks have announced that they have signed center Saku Koivu to a one-year contract extension worth $3 million.  He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer.  In 74 games this past season, he had 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 points.  He missed eight games in December with a lower-body injury.  This is a decent signing for the Ducks, as Koivu brings plenty of leadership and two-way skill to the team, as well as lots of talent on the faceoff.  While his offensive skills have waned over the past few years, he's still a quality player on the ice and will likely center Anaheim's third line next season.

Senators Sign Peter Regin to One-Year Extension

The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have signed center Peter Regin to a one-year contract extension.  The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.  He would have been a restricted free agent this summer.  In just 10 games this past season, he had two goals and two assists for four points.  He missed the majority of the 2011-12 season with a shoulder injury.  Not a bad depth signing for the Senators, as Regin has lots of speed, some playmaking skill, and some two-way ability.  He should continue to be a good fit on the team's checking lines next season.