Coyotes Add Oystrick, Arsene, Re-Sign Watkins

The Phoenix Coyotes have announced that they have signed defensemen Nathan Oystrick and Dean Arsene to one-year, two-way contracts and re-signed left wing Matt Watkins to a one-year, two-way contract. The financial terms of his deal were not disclosed, while Oystrick and Arsene will make $600,000 and $725,000, respectively. In nine games last season with the St. Louis Blues, Oystrick had one goal and two assists for three points. He also appeared in 61 games with Peoria of the AHL, scoring 15 goals and 30 assists for 45 points and 125 penalty minutes. Arsene played in 77 games last season with Peoria, scoring one goal and 10 assists for 11 points and 137 penalty minutes, while Watkins had 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points in 64 games with San Antonio of the AHL. These are really just depth signings for the Coyotes, as all three players will likely spend all of next season in the minors. Although, it is possible Oystrick could see a little NHL action as an injury replacement on the Phoenix blueline.

Blues Re-Sign Drazenovic, Add Oystrick

The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have re-signed center Nicholas Drazenovic to a one-year contract and signed free agent defenseman Nathan Oystrick to a one-year contract. Financial terms of both deals were not disclosed. Oystrick had his contract bought out by the Anaheim Ducks on June 30. These are really just depth signings for the Blues, as both players will likely spend most of next season in the minors. Oystrick will provide plenty of toughness to Peoria's blueline, while Drazenovic will bring plenty of scoring depth.

Ducks Buy Out Defenseman Oystrick's Contract

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that they have bought out the contract of defenseman Nathan Oystrick one day after he cleared waivers. Oystrick, who had one year remaining on his contract, was acquired from the Atlanta Thrashers in March for forward Evgeny Artyukhin. In three games with the Ducks last season, Oystrick scored no points. He also appeared in 43 games with Chicago of the AHL, scoring seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points and 96 penalty minutes. Not much to say about this move, as Oystrick likely wouldn't have made lineup in 2010-11 and will help the Ducks trim a tiny amount of payroll they can use to re-sign impending free agents or sign some new players once free agency starts.

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.

Thrashers Acquire Artyukhin from Ducks for Oystrick

The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have acquired right wing Evgeny Artyukhin from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Nathan Oystrick and a conditional draft pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. The Ducks had acquired Artyukhin from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Drew Miller last August. In 37 games this season with the Ducks, Artyukhin has four goals and five assists for nine points and 41 penalty minutes. In 182 career NHL games with Tampa Bay and Anaheim, he has 14 goals and 28 assists for 42 points and 282 penalty minutes. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Oystrick has not played in any NHL games this season. Last season, his first in the NHL, he scored four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 50 penalty minutes in 53 games with the Thrashers. This is an okay move for the Thrashers, as they had been looking to acquire a big, physical forward. Artyukhin will give them the toughness they were seeking, but don't expect to see him contribute a whole lot on the score sheet. As for the Ducks, Oystrick is a physical defenseman who could provide toughness for the team, but given their current depth on the blueline, he will likely spend the rest of the season in the minors.

Thrashers Re-Sign Forward Crabb & Defenseman Oystrick

The Atlanta Thrashers announced that they have re-signed right wing Joey Crabb and defenseman Nathan Oystrick to new contracts. Exact length and financial terms of their deals were not disclosed. In 29 games last season with the Thrashers, his first in the NHL, Crabb scored four goals and five assists for nine points. He also appeared in 42 games with the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate in Chicago, scoring 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points. Oystrick appeared in 53 games last season for the Thrashers, his first in the NHL, scoring four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 50 penalty minutes. These aren’t bad signings for the Thrashers, as Crabb and Oystrick were decent depth players for the team last season. Crabb doesn’t possess exceptional offensive skill, but could be an effective checking line winger for the Thrashers next season. Oystrick plays with plenty of toughness and grit and will likely be on the third defensive pairing next season for the team.