NY Islanders Sign Milan Jurcina to One-Year Contract Extension

The New York Islanders announced on Wednesday that they have signed defenseman Milan Jurcina to a one-year contract extension worth $1.6 million. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 19 games so far this season, he has two goals and two assists for four points. He missed 18 earlier this season with a hamstring injury. This is an okay signing for the Islanders, as Jurcina has a big shot and brings plenty of size to the team's blueline. However, his defensive game could be a lot better, as he is prone to turning over the puck. The Islanders probably could have found a better replacement for Jurcina this summer on the free agent market.

Islanders Sign Eaton, Jurcina, Konopka, Parenteau, Re-Sign Lawson

The New York Islanders made a slew of free agent signings today by signing defenseman Mark Eaton to a two-year contract, defenseman Milan Jurcina, center Zenon Konopka, and right wing Pierre Parenteau to one-year contracts. The Islanders also re-signed goaltender Nathan Lawson to a one-year, two-way contract. The financial terms of all five deals were not disclosed. These aren't bad signings for the Islanders, as they added depth to every area of their team. Eaton and Jurcina both bring plenty of defensive depth to the team, despite the fact the latter is sometimes a defensive liability as he turns over the puck too often. Konopka will add lots of grit and toughness to the checking lines, while Parenteau will add some offensive depth down the wing on the checking lines. Lawson will likely spend most of next season in the minors, so his signing won't have a lot of impact on the team.

Capitals Re-Acquire Defenseman Jurcina from Blue Jackets

The Washington Capitals continued to add depth to their roster on Wednesday by re-acquiring defenseman Milan Jurcina from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a sixth round draft pick. The Capitals traded Jurcina to the Blue Jackets in December with Chris Clark for Jason Chimera. In 44 games this season with the Capitals and Blue Jackets, he has one goal and six assists for seven points. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. This is an okay deal for the Capitals, as they have brought in a familiar face in Jurcina and he will provide plenty of defensive depth for the team. However, he has developed a bit of a bad reputation for his defensive blunders and turnovers. The Capitals probably could have found a better defenseman on the market than Jurcina, but the cost could have been a lot more than a sixth round draft pick.

Capitals Ship Clark, Jurcina to Blue Jackets for Chimera

The Washington Capitals announced today that they have traded right wing and team captain Chris Clark and defenseman Milan Jurcina to the Columbus Blue Jackets for left wing Jason Chimera. In 38 games so far this season, Clark has four goals and 11 assists for 15 points, while Jurcina has played in 27 games, scoring four assists. Chimera has appeared in 39 games this season, scoring eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. Not a bad trade for both teams, but not an earth-shattering one by any means, although it's not too often you see a team trade their captain during the middle of a season. However, this move trims a little over $2 million from the Capitals' payroll, so this could be the prelude to a later trade for the team, as they could be in the market for a top-four defenseman. The Capitals could also use this extra salary cap space toward re-sign impending restricted free agents Nicklas Backstrom and Tomas Fleischmann. For the Blue Jackets, this trade was likely done to help pull the team out of their current losing skid, though it will likely take more than Clark and Jurcina to get the Blue Jackets back on a winning track. Chimera will bring plenty of gritty, two-way play to the Capitals' checking line, while Clark brings plenty of leadership and offensive depth to the Blue Jackets' offense. Jurcina brings plenty of defensive depth to Columbus' blueline which is currently without Rostislav Klesla and Marc Methot due to injuries.