Maple Leafs Sign Free Agent Forwards Armstrong and Crabb

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Thursday that they have signed right wing Colby Armstrong to a three-year contract worth $9 million and right wing Joey Crabb to a one-year, two-way contract. Armstrong's deal averages out to $3 million per season, while the financial terms of Crabb's deal were not disclosed. In 79 games last season with the Atlanta Thrashers, Armstrong had 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points and 61 penalty minutes. Crabb had 24 goals and 29 assists for 53 points and 59 penalty minutes. The Armstrong signing is not a bad one for the Maple Leafs, as he will add some much needed offensive depth to the club. He also plays a physical game and has some defensive skill as well. Crabb is really just a depth signing for the Maple Leafs, as he could end up spending most of next season in the minors. If he does make the Maple Leafs next season, he will provide plenty of energy and grit to the wing.

Thrashers Re-Sign Forward Armstrong to Two-Year Contract

The Atlanta Thrashers have avoided arbitration with right wing Colby Armstrong by signing him to a two-year contract worth $2.4 million. The deal averages out to $1.2 million per season. In all 82 games last season with the Thrashers, Armstrong scored 22 goals and 18 assists for 40 points and 75 penalty minutes. In 281 career games with the Thrashers and Pittsburgh Penguins, he has 63 goals and 86 assists for 149 points and 256 penalty minutes. This is a decent signing for the Thrashers, as Armstrong brings plenty of offensive and goal-scoring depth and some toughness to the team. If he can repeat his success of 2008-09 in 2009-10, he will be a very affordable signing for the Thrashers. Plus, if Armstrong’s production continues to improve over the next two seasons, the team could retain him for longer than two years.

2009 NHL Arbitration

The following 20 NHL players have elected to file for salary arbitration this summer. The arbitration hearing begin on July 20 in Toronto and run until July 31. Arbitrators are only allowed to hand out one to two year deals and their decisions must be made within 48 hours of the hearing. Teams then have 48 hours to accept or decline the arbitrator's decision. If a team has more than one player filing for arbitration, that team has 48 hours from their last player's hearing to decide if they want to accept or decline the arbitrator's decision. If a team declines an arbitrator's decision, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent. The following players are still scheduled for arbitration:

Detroit Red Wings
Jiri Hudler - July 30

New York Rangers
Nikolai Zherdev - July 31

Phoenix Coyotes
Daniel Winnik - Awarded one-year contract in arbitration (no terms disclosed)

Vancouver Canucks
Kyle Wellwood - Awarded one-year contract worth $1.2 million in arbitration

Washington Capitals
Milan Jurcina - Awarded one-year contract worth $1.375 million in arbitration


The following players have re-signed with their teams prior to their arbitration hearings:

Anaheim Ducks
James Wisniewski - 1 year, $2.75 million (7/13)

Atlanta Thrashers
Colby Armstrong - 2 years, $2.4 million (7/16)

Boston Bruins
Matt Hunwick - 2 years, $2.9 million (7/20)

Buffalo Sabres
Clarke McArthur - 1 year, $552,500 (7/20)

Calgary Flames
Nigel Dawes - 2 years, $1.7 million (7/20)

Carolina Hurricanes
Tuomo Ruutu - 3 years, $11.4 million (7/23)

Chicago Blackhawks
Aaron Johnson - 1 year, undisclosed (7/6)

Columbus Blue Jackets
Marc Methot - 2 years, undisclosed (7/22)

Edmonton Oilers
Denis Grebeshkov - 1 year, $3.15 million (7/21)

Minnesota Wild
Kyle Brodziak - 3 years, undisclosed (7/23)
Josh Harding - 1 year, $1.1 million (7/29)

Montreal Canadiens
Tomas Plekanec - 1 year, $2.75 million (7/21)

New Jersey Devils
Travis Zajac - 4 years, $15.55 million (7/22)

New York Islanders
Nate Thompson - 1 year, two-way contract, undisclosed (7/25)

New York Rangers
Ryan Callahan - 2 years, $4.6 million (7/13)

Tampa Bay Lightning
Matt Smaby - 2 years, $1.05 million (7/26)