Blue Jackets Add Sanford, Drazenovic, Joudrey, Dekanich

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced a slew of signings on the first day of free agency by inking goaltenders Curtis Sanford and Mark Dekanich to one-year contracts and centers Nicholas Drazenovic and Andrew Joudrey to one-year, two-way contracts. Sanford's deal will pay him $600,000, while the financial terms of the other three contracts were not disclosed. In 40 games last season with Hamilton of the AHL, Sanford posted a 22-13-2 record, five shutouts, a 1.93 GAA, and a .916 save percentage, while Dekanich posted a 23-12-5 record, four shutouts, a 2.02 GAA, and a .931 save percentage in 43 games with Milwaukee of the AHL. He also appeared in one game with the Nashville Predators, allowing three goals and posting a 3.60 GAA and .880 save percentage. Drazenovic played in three games with the St. Louis Blues last season, scoring no points. He also appeared in 75 games with Peoria of the AHL, scoring 23 goals and 23 assists for 46 points. In 66 games last season with Hershey of the AHL, Joudrey had seven goals and seven assists for 14 points. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. These are really just depth signings for the Blue Jackets, as all four players will likely play much of next season in the minors. Although, Sanford and Dekanich could battle for the backup role in Columbus next season at training camp in September if a more capable backup netminder isn't signed by then.

***UPDATE***
Andrew Joudrey's contract is actually a two-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay him $575,000 at the NHL level and $115,000 at the AHL level for the 2011-12 season and $600,000 at the NHL level and $125,000 at the AHL level for the 2012-13 season.

Canadiens Add Auld, Re-Sign Sanford and Boyd

The Montreal Canadiens made a slew of signings on Thursday by signing goaltender Alex Auld to a one-year contract worth $1 million and re-signed goaltender Curtis Sanford and center Dustin Boyd to one-year deals. Financial terms of the Sanford and Boyd contracts were not disclosed. Boyd was acquired by the Canadiens along with Dan Ellis on June 29 in exchange for Sergei Kostitsyn. These aren't bad signings for the Canadiens, as they've added both goaltending and offensive depth. Auld should be a decent backup to Carey Price next season, but it will be interesting to see if he can carry the team if Price should struggle again. Sanford will probably spend most of next season in the minors, but could see NHL action if Price or Auld miss time with injuries. Boyd gives the team a decent two-way forward with a little offensive upside, so he should be a good fit to their third or fourth line.

Canadiens Sign Goalie Sanford to One-Year Contract

The Montreal Canadiens have continued to retool their roster by signing goaltender Curtis Sanford to a one-year, two-way contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. In 19 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks, Sanford posted a 7-8-0 record with a 2.59 GAA and a .906 save percentage. He also played in 16 games with the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Manitoba, posting a 7-3-3 record with a 1.73 GAA and a .936 save percentage. Not a bad back-up goalie signing for the Canadiens, as Sanford has been a very steady goaltender the past couple seasons in Vancouver. He will likely spend quite a bit of time in the minors next season, but if Carey Price or Jaroslav Halak should struggle or miss time due to an injury, Sanford will definitely get the call in goal as the back-up.