Kings Sign Ethan Moreau to One-Year Contract

The Los Angeles Kings have announced that they have signed left wing Ethan Moreau to a one-year contract worth $600,000. The deal was also contingent on him passing a physical, which he did on Monday. In 37 games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, he had one goal and five assists for six points. He missed a combined total of 43 games with a broken hand, a rib injury, and a bruised foot. Not a bad depth signing for the Kings, as Moreau will bring plenty of leadership and grit to the team, as well as some skill to the penalty kill. Look for him to play on either the third or fourth line next season.

Blue Jackets Claim Ethan Moreau Off Waivers from Oilers

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that they have claimed long-time Edmonton Oilers' left wing Ethan Moreau off waivers. He was placed on waivers yesterday by the Oilers and it was believed they would buy out the remaining year of his contract if he cleared today. He is scheduled to make $2 million next season. In 76 games last season with the Oilers, Moreau had nine goals and nine assists for 18 points and 62 penalty minutes. In 863 career NHL games with Edmonton and the Chicago Blackhawks, he has 145 goals and 132 assists for 277 points and 1066 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth move for the Blue Jackets, as Moreau will bring plenty of toughness and leadership to the relatively young team. He's also effective on the penalty kill and will likely serve as a mentor for the young Blue Jackets' players next season.

Moreau, Nilsson, O' Sullivan Among More NHL Players on Waivers

On Tuesday, the following NHL players were placed on waivers with the likely purpose of buying out their contracts. The players will have until noon tomorrow to be claimed by other teams. If they go unclaimed, they will likely have their contracts bought out and become unrestricted free agents.

Donald Brashear, LW - New York Rangers
Todd Fedoruk, LW - Tampa Bay Lightning
Ethan Moreau, LW - Edmonton Oilers
Robert Nilsson, LW - Edmonton Oilers
Patrick O'Sullivan, LW - Edmonton Oilers
Nathan Oystrick, D - Anaheim Ducks
Patrick Rissmiller, LW - New York Rangers
Aaron Voros, LW - New York Rangers

Jonathan Cheechoo, Ales Kotalik, Ville Koistinen, Petteri Nokelainen, and Jim Vandermeer all cleared waivers from yesterday and are now eligible to be bought out by their clubs. It really comes as no surprise that the Oilers have placed Moreau, Nilsson, and O'Sullivan on waivers with the purpose of buying out their contracts, as the Oilers stated their intentions to do so earlier this month. I would be surprised if any of these players were claimed off waivers, as any team interested in them is better off waiting until their contracts are bought out and then signing them to new, more affordable deals.