NY Rangers Sign Andre Deveaux and Brendan Bell

The New York Rangers have announced that they have signed right wing Andre Deveaux to a one-year contract worth $525,000 and defenseman Brendan Bell to a contract. The exact length and financial terms of Bell's deal were not announced. In 73 games last season with Chicago of the AHL, Deveaux had 23 goals and 23 assists for 46 points and 146 penalty minutes. He last played in the NHL during the 2009-10 season. Bell appeared in 29 games last season with EHC Biel of the Swiss A-League, scoring two goals and nine assists for 11 points. He also played in one game with Avangard Omsk of the KHL, scoring two assists. He last played in the NHL during the 2008-09 season with the Ottawa Senators. These are really just depth signings for the Rangers, as both players will likely spend the majority of next season in the minors.

Blue Jackets Acquire Bell, Kana from Blues for Pelletier

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that they have acquired defenseman Brendan Bell and center Tomas Kana from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for left wing Pascal Pelletier. None of these players have played in the NHL so far this season. Pelletier appeared in seven games last season with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring no points, while Bell played in 53 games with the Ottawa Senators last season, scoring six goals and 15 assists for 21 points. Kana has yet to appear in an NHL game. This is really just a minor league deal for both teams, as Pelletier and Kana likely won't see much, if any, NHL action this season. Bell, on the other hand, could possibly see some action this season with the Blue Jackets. He is a decent seventh defenseman who can help out a team on the power play, so if injuries become a problem for the Blue Jackets' defense throughout the season, Bell would be a suitable replacement.

Latest from the NHL Waiver Wire

With the trade deadline almost 24 hours away, several players have been placed on waivers in an effort for their teams to cut some salary. These players will likely have until noon ET tomorrow to clear waivers when waiver wire will come to a close for the 2008-09 season. The list of players currently on waivers include:

Miroslav Satan, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Brendan Morrison, C, Anaheim Ducks
Gary Roberts, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Martin Gerber, G, Ottawa Senators
Brendan Bell, D, Ottawa Senators
Aaron Voros, LW, New York Rangers
Erik Reitz, D, New York Rangers
Eric Perrin, C, Atlanta Thrashers
Craig Adams, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
Jon Sim, LW, New York Islanders
Lawrence Nycholat, D, Vancouver Canucks (claimed by Calgary Flames on 3/3/2009)

Most of these players are likely on waivers because they have little or no trade value right now. Satan is probably the most marketable player on this list and could be of some use to a team looking to acquire a top-six forward for the playoffs. However, he has had a poor season and has never really clicked well with linemate Sidney Crosby. Perhaps a change of scenery could do Satan some good. The Ducks are looking to free up cap space for returning injured players, so Morrison was the odd man out. Several teams have expressed interest in Roberts, but he will likely have little impact on a playoff team's success. Gerber has been on waivers many times this season and cleared each time, so expect him to clear waivers once again. Bell could be of some interest to teams looking for a depth defenseman. Voros and Reitz were likely waived to make room for Avery. Voros could be of use to teams seeking a physical forward, while Reitz could be of use to anyone looking for a young, physical defenseman. Sim could be of use to a team seeking a depth forward, while Perrin and Adams have played awful this season and will almost certainly go unclaimed.