Bruins Acquire Right to Defenseman Kampfer

The Boston Bruins announced today that they have acquired the rights to defenseman Steve Kampfer from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for their fourth round draft pick in either 2010 or 2011. Kampfer has appeared in 37 games this season with the University of Michigan, scoring two goals and 15 assists for 17 points and 48 penalty minutes. He was Anaheim's fourth round pick, 93rd overall, in the 2007 Entry Draft. Not a huge move by any means, but the Bruins have added some future defensive talent to their team.

Senators Acquire Defenseman Sutton from NY Islanders

The Ottawa Senators announced today that they have acquired defenseman Andy Sutton from the New York Islanders in exchange for a second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 54 games this season with the Islanders, he has four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 73 penalty minutes. In 567 career NHL games with the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, Atlanta Thrashers, and New York Islanders, he has 34 goals and 101 assists for 135 points and 984 penalty minutes. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Not a bad move for the Senators, who were looking to add some defensive depth to their roster. Sutton will bring lots of toughness and experience to the team's blueline, though he will likely be a rental player for the playoffs.

Thrashers Sign Defenseman Chris Chelios

Chris Chelios is on his way back to the NHL. The Atlanta Thrashers announced today that they have signed the 48-year-old defenseman to what is believed to be a one-year contract. He first must clear waivers, and if he does, will remain in the minors until the Thrashers need him, according to the team. He had been playing with the Thrashers' AHL affiliate in Chicago since the beginning of the 2009-10 season. In 25 NHL seasons, Chelios has played in 1644 games with the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, and Detroit Red Wings, scoring 185 goals and 763 assists for 948 points and 2891 penalty minutes. He has won the Norris Trophy three times as the league's top defenseman and three Stanley Cups, one with Montreal and two with Detroit. An interesting signing by the Thrashers. Chelios will bring lots of experience to the blueline, as well as a wealth of leadership to the team. If he is recalled by the team, he will likely play on the third defensive pairing, just don't expect to see him contribute on the score sheet regularly.

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.

Blue Jackets Acquire Moore from NY Islanders for Reese

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that they have acquired right wing Greg Moore from the New York Islanders in exchange for defenseman Dylan Reese. Moore has 14 goals and 17 assists for 31 points in 62 games this season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL. He appeared in six NHL games during the 2007-08 season with the New York Rangers, scoring no points. Reese has four goals and 18 assists for 22 points this season with Syracuse of the AHL. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Both players are restricted free agents at the end of the season. This is really just a depth move for both teams. The Blue Jackets get a depth forward in Moore who could play on their fourth line if needed. In Reese, the Islanders get some defensive depth, but he will likely remain in the minors for the remainder of the season.

Predators Acquire Defenseman Grebeshkov from Oilers

The Nashville Predators announced today that they have acquired defenseman Denis Grebeshkov from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 47 games with the Oilers, he has six goals and 13 assists for 19 points. In 223 career NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, and Edmonton Oilers, he has 16 goals and 66 assists for 82 points. He will be a restricted free agent this summer. Not a bad move for the Predators, as Grebeshkov brings plenty of offense to the team's blueline. He also brings plenty of skill on the power play to the Predators as well. This trade also shows that the Oilers are now in rebuild mode, so expect them to unload several players by the 3 PM trade deadline on Wednesday. There is currently speculation that the acquisition of Grebeshkov could pave the way for the Predators to trade defenseman Dan Hamhuis, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The rumor is that the Philadelphia Flyers are interested in Hamhuis, but the Predators are rumored seeking a young defenseman in return, believed to be Ryan Parent. With the Flyers seeking defensive help, this situation could get interesting. Keep an eye on the Predators and Flyers in the coming days for a possible trade.

Blues Acquire Fallon From Blackhawks for Toivonen, Richmond

The St. Louis Blues announced today that they have acquired goaltender Joe Fallon from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Hannu Toivonen and defenseman Danny Richmond. Fallon has appeared in 29 games this season with Rockford of the AHL, posting a 15-10-1 record with a 2.64 GAA and a .912 save percentage. Toivonen has played in 26 games with Peoria of the AHL this season, posting an 11-11-3 record with a 2.73 GAA and a .906 save percentage. Richmond has one goal and 15 assists for 16 points and 135 penalty minutes in 54 games this season with Peoria. This will be Richmond's second stint with the Blackhawks. He played with the team for parts of three seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in July 2008. In 49 career NHL games with the Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes, he has three assists and 75 penalty minutes.

This is really just a minor trade for both teams and in no way do I believe it's suggesting the Blackhawks are looking to move a goalie. Both Chicago and St. Louis were likely looking to bolster their AHL affiliates through this trade. Fallon brings promising goaltending depth to the Blues' organization, while Toivonen brings experience to the Blackhawks. Despite showing a lot of promise early in his NHL career, Toivonen has struggled at the NHL level in recent years, having last played in the league during the 2007-08 season. Perhaps a change of scenery will do Toivonen some good. Richmond gives the Blackhawks a very physical defenseman, but given their current depth on their blueline, he likely won't see much, if any, playing time this season.

Flames Sign Stajan to Four-Year Contract Extension

The Calgary Flames announced today that they have signed center Matt Stajan to a four-year contract extension worth $14 million. The deal averages out to $3.5 million per season. The Flames acquired Stajan from Toronto on January 31 in the blockbuster deal that sent Dion Phaneuf to the Maple Leafs. In 62 games this season with the Flames and Maple Leafs, he has 18 goals and 27 assists for 45 points. In 452 career NHL games with the Flames and Maple Leafs, he has 89 goals and 138 assists for 227 points. This is a decent move for the Flames, as Stajan is starting to become a reliable scorer in the NHL. He has great offensive skill and is starting to develop into a goal scorer. He will likely see more playing time alongside Jarome Iginla, and if the two forwards can mesh, Stajan could turn out to be a very good addition to the team. If his production can improve over the next few seasons, he could be a bargain at $3.5 million.

Penguins Acquire Defenseman Leopold from Panthers

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have acquired defenseman Jordan Leopold from the Florida Panthers in exchange for their second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 61 games with the Panthers this season, he has seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points. He was acquired by the Panthers this past summer in the Jay Bouwmeester trade and signed to a one-year contract. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 416 career NHL games with the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers, Leopold has 36 goals and 91 assists for 127 points. This is a decent trade for the Penguins, as Leopold will bring plenty of offense to their defense. He will also bring some experience to a blueline that has seen its share of injuries this season. Leopold is likely a rental player for the Penguins for the playoffs, but he will bring plenty of skill and depth to the team and will be a welcome addition to their defense if injuries begin to mount again.

Stars Sign Forward Ott to Four-Year Extension

The Dallas Stars announced today that they have signed center Steve Ott to a four-year contract extension worth $11.8 million. The deal averages out to $2.95 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 52 games so far this season with the Stars, Ott has 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points and 100 penalty minutes. He is currently on injured reserve after having an appendectomy in February. In 389 career NHL games, all with the Stars, he has 51 goals and 85 assists for 136 points and 778 penalty minutes. This is a great signing for the Stars, as Ott is one of the top agitators in the league today. He plays a very physical game and is an intimidating presence on the ice with his toughness. He can also score goals and plays well on the power play and penalty kill, making him a very important part of the Stars' roster. Apparently there was some speculation that the Stars would try to move Ott before the March 3 trade deadline, but those rumors proved to be false. I wouldn't have put much stock into them anyway

NY Rangers Claim Goalie Auld Off Waivers from Stars

The New York Rangers announced today that they have claimed goaltender Alex Auld off re-entry waivers from the Dallas Stars. The Rangers will be responsible for half of his remaining salary for the season, while the Stars will be on the hook for the other half. In 21 games this season with the Stars, Auld has a 9-6-3 record, a 3.00 GAA, and a .894 save percentage. The Rangers will be the seventh team of his career, having previously played for the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes, Ottawa Senators, and the Stars. Not a bad move for the Rangers, as they had been seeking an experienced backup goaltender since December after waiving and sending Stephen Valiquette to the minors. Auld will be a steady backup for the team and will help take some of the pressure off of starter Henrik Lundqvist. This move will also put an end to any Marty Turco trade rumors, as it is now apparent the Stars intend to go with Turco and recently acquired Kari Lehtonen for the rest of the season.

Seantors Sign Ryan Shannon to One-Year Contract

The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have signed right wing Ryan Shannon to a one-year contract extension worth $625,000. In 55 games so far this season with the Senators, he has five goals and 11 assists for 16 points. In 170 career NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators, he has 20 goals and 40 assists for 60 points. Not a bad signing for the Senators, as Shannon has been a reliable third-line forward for the team. Plus, at $625,000, he is a very affordable signing for the team for next season.

Wild Sign Forward Clutterbuck to Three-Year Extension

The Minnesota Wild announced today that they have signed popular right winger Cal Clutterbuck to a three-year contract extension worth $4.2 million. The deal averages out to $1.4 million per season. He would have been a restricted free agent this summer. In 54 games so far this season, Clutterbuck has 12 goals and six assists for 18 points and 34 penalty minutes. He currently leads the league in hits for the second straight season. In 134 career NHL games, all with the Wild, he has 23 goals and 13 assists for 36 points and 110 penalty minutes. This is a good signing for the Wild, as Clutterbuck is an extremely physical player on the ice who is not afraid to mix it up with the opposition. He is also showing an ability to score goals, and being a fan favorite in Minnesota, it wouldn't surprise me if Clutterbuck remains a part of the Wild for a long time.

Flames Sign Forward Bourque to Six-Year Contract Extension

The Calgary Flames announced today that they have signed left wing Rene Bourque to a six-year contract extension worth $19.8 million. The deal averages out to $3.3 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 53 games so far this season with the Flames, Bourque has 18 goals and 23 assists for a career high 41 points and 74 penalty minutes. In 294 career NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames, he has 72 goals and 84 assists for 156 points and 280 penalty minutes. He is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury. This is a good move for the Flames to get Bourque signed to a contract extension, as he is a very physical winger, can score goals, and is great on the power play. However, signing him to a six-year deal is a bit excessive in my opinion, as he is starting to become a bit injury prone. A three-year contract would have been a bit more reasonable. $3.3 million per season for a player of his caliber is okay, and if he improves offensively over the next few seasons, he could be a bargain.

Stars Waive Goaltender Alex Auld

The Dallas Stars have taken a step toward solving their logjam in goal by announcing today that they have waived goaltender Alex Auld. Teams have until noon ET on Thursday to claim the 29-year-old netminder. The Stars acquired goaltender Kari Lehtonen on February 9 with Marty Turco and Auld already backstopping the team. When the trade was made, there was a lot of speculation that the team would likely trade Turco by the March 3 trade deadline and keep Auld as the backup. Both Auld and Turco will be unrestricted free agents on July 1, while Lehtonen will be a restricted free agent. In 21 games this season with the Stars, Auld has a 9-6-3 record with a 3.00 GAA and a .894 save percentage. In 204 career NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, and Dallas Stars, he has an 83-81-26 record, six shutouts, a 2.78 GAA, and a .904 save percentage. This comes as a bit of a surprise to me, as it has been widely speculated that the Stars might try to move Turco by the trade deadline. However, the team is currently sitting one point out of the playoffs in the Western Conference and may wish to go with Turco's experience to make the playoffs rather than rely on the oft-injured Lehtonen. With Turco and Lehtonen in net, the Stars have lots of goaltending depth and give them a good combination heading into the post-season. Auld could still pass through waivers and the team could either send him to the minors or keep him on the team. However, it wouldn't surprise me if a team looking for goaltending depth claims Auld before noon on Thursday. The Calgary Flames are one team that comes to mind, as the could use a more suitable backup than Curtis McElhinney. Auld could help take a lot of the pressure off of starter Miikka Kiprusoff going into the playoffs, but it remains to be seen if the Flames have any interest in the netminder.

Predators Sign Goaltender Rinne to Two-Year Extension

The Nashville Predators announced today that they have signed goaltender Pekka Rinne to a two-year contract extension worth $6.8 million. The deal will pay him $2.8 million next season and $4 million for the 2011-12 season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 40 games this season with the Predators, Rinne has a 20-12-4 record, three shutouts, a 2.80 GAA, and a .902 save percentage. Not a bad signing for the Predators, as Rinne has been a solid goalie for the team for much of the season while sharing the goaltending duties with Dan Ellis. Rinne could jump into the starter's role next season depending if the team decides to re-sign Ellis this summer, who will be an unrestricted free agent. If Ellis is re-signed, he will likely continue to share playing time with Rinne.

Blackhawks Sign Free Agent Defenseman Cullimore

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have signed free agent defenseman Jassen Cullimore. The exact length and financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but he has likely been signed through the rest of the season. The Blackhawks then assigned him to their AHL affiliate in Rockford. This will be his second stint with the team. In 68 games with the Florida Panthers last season, Cullimore scored two goals and eight assists for 10 points and 37 penalty minutes. In 776 career NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, and Florida Panthers, he has 26 goals and 77 assists for 103 points and 696 penalty minutes. He won a Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Lightning. This is really just a depth signing for the Blackhawks. Cullimore gives the team a big, physical, defensive blueliner with plenty of experience for the playoff run. He will likely spend most of the rest of the season in the minors unless the team suffers an injury on defense.

Maple Leafs Claim Lundmark Off Waivers

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that they have claimed center Jamie Lundmark off waivers from the Calgary Flames. In 21 games this season with the Flames, he has four goals and five assists for nine points. He has also appeared 32 games with the Abbotsford Heat of the AHL this season, scoring 21 points. In 280 career NHL games with the New York Rangers, Phoenix Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings, and Calgary Flames, Lundmark has 39 goals and 57 assists for 96 points. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Not a bad pick-up for the Maple Leafs, as Lundmark has been a fairly reliable forward the past few seasons. He will bring some much needed offensive depth to the Maple Leafs' line-up after trading away Niklas Hagman, Matt Stajan, and Jamal Mayers for Dion Phaneuf and Jason Blake for Jean-Sebastien Giguere two weeks ago.

Red Wings Waive Brad May

The Detroit Red Wings announced today that they have placed left wing Brad May on waivers. In 40 games this season with the Red Wings, he has one assist and 66 penalty minutes. He was signed as a free agent by the team on October 7. The Red Wings have waived May in order to free up some salary cap space to make room for Andreas Lilja, who is very close to returning to the team after recovering from a concussion that has kept him out of the line-up all season. If May clears waivers, he will likely be sent to the team's AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. The Red Wings are also rumored to be placing a player on long-term injury status to help clear salary cap space for Lilja, but who that player will be has yet to be determined. It was also rumored that the team was trying to trade Brett Lebda to open up a roster spot on defense for Lilja, but Lebda was not dealt before the 3 PM trade deadline for the Olympic roster freeze.

Wild Acquire Defenseman Barker from Blackhawks for Johnsson & Leddy

The Minnesota Wild announced today that they have acquired defenseman Cam Barker from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defensemen Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy. In 51 games with the Blackhawks this season, Barker has four goals and 10 assists for 14 points. He recently missed five games with an upper body injury. Johnsson has appeared in 52 games with the Wild, scoring six goals and eight assists for 14 points. He missed seven games earlier in the season with an upper body injury. Leddy, who was the Wild's first round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft, has yet to play in an NHL game. Not a bad swap for both teams. The Wild get a very promising defenseman in Barker, as he has plenty of offensive skill, especially on the power play, and has lots of potential. Barker has struggled offensively for the Blackhawks this season, but given the signing of Brian Campbell in 2008 and the emergence of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, he was moved down to the third defensive pairing and not getting as much playing time as he should have. A change of scenery will likely do wonders for Barker, where he should be able to land a role as one of the top two defensemen in Minnesota over the next couple of seasons. Johnsson will bring plenty of experience and offensive depth to the Blackhawks' defense. He will likely just be a rental player for the playoffs, as the team won't have the salary cap space next season to be able to afford to re-sign him. Plus, by trading Barker, the Blackhawks have dumped some salary to help get under the salary cap for next season. In Leddy, the Blackhawks get a very promising, offensive blueliner for the future.

Rangers Acquire Shelley from Sharks; Waiver Brashear

The New York Rangers announced today that they have acquired left wing Jody Shelley from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. If the Rangers re-sign Shelley this summer, the pick will become a fifth rounder in 2011. In 36 games with the Sharks this season, Shelley has three assists and 78 penalty minutes. He missed 23 games this season due to injury. Not a bad move by the Rangers to add some much needed toughness to their line-up. Shelley won't contribute much offensively, but his tough, gritty play will make the Rangers a more physical team to play against.

In a separate move today, the Rangers also announced that they have waived enforcer Donald Brashear. In 36 games with the Rangers this season, the left wing has one assist and 73 penalty minutes. He was signed as a free agent this past season to a two-year contract. The acquisition of Jody Shelley indicates that Brashear's time as the team enforcer has come to an end. Brashear's playing time this season has been limited and he has not played at the level of ruggedness that was expected of him. He will likely clear waivers and be demoted to the Rangers' AHL affiliate in Hartford, which will clear up $1.4 million worth of salary cap space for the team.

Senators Acquire Cullen from Hurricanes

The Ottawa Senators added some offensive depth to their line-up today by acquiring center Matt Cullen from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Alexandre Picard and their second round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. In 60 games with the Hurricanes this season, Cullen has 12 goals and 28 assists for 40 points. Picard has appeared in 45 games with the Senators this season, scoring four goals and 11 assists for 15 points. Not a bad swap for both teams. Cullen brings the Senators some much needed offensive depth and will center either their second or third line. He also brings to the Senators plenty of two-way depth and lots of skill on the power play. Despite playing for his fourth team in three seasons, Picard brings plenty of promising offensive skill to the Hurricanes' blueline. He should also bring some skill to the Hurricanes' power play given his five power play points this season.

Flyers Sign Betts to Two-Year Contract Extension

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have signed center Blair Betts to a two-year contract extension worth $1.4 million. The deal averages out to $700,000 per season. In 39 games so far this season with the Flyers, Betts has six goals and four assists for 10 points and signed as a free agent with the team on October 1. He missed 19 games earlier in the season with a right shoulder injury. He would have been an unrestricted free agent this summer. This is a decent signing for the Flyers, as Betts has provided plenty of steady offensive, two-way depth for the team. Look for him to continue to bring the same level of play to the Flyers over the next two years, and at $700,000 per season, is a very affordable signing.

Canadiens Acquire Moore from Panthers

The Montreal Canadiens announced yesterday that they have acquired center Dominic Moore from the Florida Panthers in exchange for their second round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft. This trade marks the first move by the Canadiens' newly-appointed general manager Pierre Gauthier, who took over the role this past week when Bob Gainey stepped down. In 48 games this season with the Panthers, Moore has eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. He was signed as a free agent by the Panthers on October 4. In 353 career NHL games with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, and Florida Panthers, he has 43 goals and 74 assists for 117 points. This is not a terrible depth move by the Canadiens, as Moore should be a decent fill-in while Andrei Kostitsyn, Mike Cammalleri, and Benoit Pouliot recover from injuries. Moore will bring plenty of offensive depth to the team's third line. What I am surprised with in this move, however, is what the Canadiens gave up to land him. A second round draft pick seems kind of steep for a player has struggled to live up to the offensive numbers he put up when he was with the Maple Leafs. To me, a third round pick is probably the most the Canadiens should have given up for Moore and they probably gave up a little too much to land him. The Panthers walk away winners in this deal, as they likely would not have re-signed Moore this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Penguins and Blues Swap Defensemen

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced yesterday that they have acquired defenseman Steve Wagner from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for defenseman Nate Guenin. Wagner has not appeared in any NHL games so far this season. In 22 games last season with the Blues, he scored two goals and two assists for four points. Guenin has appeared in two games with the Penguins this season, scoring no points. This trade is really nothing more than a swap of minor league defensemen. Wagner brings some offensive skill to the Penguins' minor league affiliate, while Guenin brings defensive depth and toughness to the Blues' minor league team.