Coyotes Sign Petteri Nokelainen to One-Year Contract

The Phoenix Coyotes announced on Friday that they have signed center Petteri Nokelainen to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. It will be his second stint with the team. He had one goal and one assist in 17 games with the Coyotes during the 2009-10 season after being acquired in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks. He then had the final year of his contract bought out by Phoenix last summer. In 46 games this past season with Jokerit of the Finnish League, he had 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points. An interesting signing for the Coyotes since they bought out the final year of Nokelainen's contract last summer and here they are re-signing him nearly one year later. He will bring some skill to the penalty kill and on faceoffs, but don't expect to see much scoring out of him, provided he earns a roster spot next season.

Preissing, Dawes, Pandolfo Among NHL Players on Waivers

On Wednesday, the following NHL players were placed on unconditional waivers, meaning they will be eligible to have their contracts bought out if they clear and become unrestricted free agents. The players will have until noon tomorrow to be claimed by other teams.


Nigel Dawes, LW - Calgary Flames
Petteri Nokelainen, C - Phoenix Coyotes
Jay Pandolfo, LW - New Jersey Devils
Andrew Peters, LW - New Jersey Devils
Tom Preissing, D - Colorado Avalanche


There's really no surprise that most of these players are potentially going to be bought out by their teams. They've really fallen down the depth chart of their respected teams and were either frequent scratches or shipped off to the minors last season. The Flames placing Dawes on waivers is an interesting move, as he didn't have a terrible 2009-10 season for his talent level and is scheduled to make a very affordable $850,000 next season. It's possible the Flames could be planning on making a big trade or free agent signing and this could be the precursor to such a move, but it remains to be seen if that is actually the case.

Cheechoo, Kotalik Among NHL Players Currently on Waivers

On Monday, the following NHL players have been placed on waivers with the 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.

Jonathan Cheechoo, RW - Ottawa
Ville Koistinen, D - Florida
Ales Kotalik, RW - Calgary
Petteri Nokelainen, C - Phoenix
Jim Vandermeer, D - Phoenix

I will be surprised if any of these players are claimed off waivers, as any team interested in acquiring them would be better off waiting until they are bought out and signing them to new, more affordable contracts. Cheechoo currently carries a $3.5 million price tag, and with only five goals and 14 points in 61 games last season, will likely keep any team from wanting to claim him. Kotalik, who is currently set to earn $3 million during each of the next two seasons, was wildly inconsistent last season with the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames, managing only 11 goals and 27 points in 71 games. His inconsistent play, lack of scoring, and salary will likely keep him from going claimed.

Coyotes Acquire Nokelainen from Ducks

In the last trade on Trade Deadline Day, the Phoenix Coyotes have acquired center Petteri Nokelainen from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a sixth round draft pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. In 50 games this season with the Ducks, he has four goals and seven assists for 11 points. Not a bad move for the Coyotes, who have stocked up on players for a playoff run. Nokelainen should bring plenty of offensive depth to their third line.

Bruins Acquire Montador from Ducks for Nokelainen

The Boston Bruins added some depth to their defense on Wednesday by acquiring defenseman Steve Montador from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for center Petteri Nokelainen. The Bruins were rumored seeking a depth defenseman for the playoffs and had been linked to Jordan Leopold and Derek Morris, but the asking prices must have been high. In 65 games this season, Montador has four goals and 16 assists for 20 points and 125 penalty minutes. Nokelainen, who is currently sidelined with an eye injury, has played in 33 games, scoring three assists. Montador gives the Bruins a very tough defenseman with some offensive skill. He will fit in nicely as a depth defenseman in Boston. Nokelainen gives the Ducks a decent young, third line center who should fit in nicely on the rebuilding team.