Anaheim
The Ducks may have found the scoring winger they’re looking for by signing Dany Heatley to a one-year deal worth $1M. Of course, it’s Dany Heatley, so maybe they didn’t really.
Arizona
The Coyotes have re-signed bottom-six defensive winger David Moss for one year. Capgeek lists his salary at $800K. Not Vrbata important, but it’s still a valuable signing. Winger Brandon McMillan has filed for salary arbitration, his hearing scheduled for July 29.
Boston
The Bruins are moving their practices, effective in 2016. They’ve held practices in Wilimington, MS since 1987, and are moving to Allison-Brighton. They sent a letter of intent to use the grounds on Tuesday. Defenceman Matt Bartkowski has filed for salary arbitration, his hearing scheduled for July 30. Winger Nick Johnson signed with the SHL’s Vaxjo Lakers.
Buffalo
The Sabres acquired prospect Jordan Samuels-Thomas from the Jets for a conditional seventh-round pick. They have until August 15 to sign him, as per the NHL’s rules on college players. Goaltender Matt Hackett, who played a handful of games towards the end of the season, was re-signed for one-year at $750,750.
Calgary
The Flames have already announced which of their players will be changing their jersey numbers for next season, as well as the numbers that will be worn by their newcomers. Should he make the NHL next season, 2011 first-rounder Sven Baertschi will go from no.47 to no.27. Prospect Tyler Wotherspoon, expected to make the Flames next season, will wear no.26, while Ladislav Smid will go from no.3 to no.15. Winger David Jones will change his number from no.54 to no.19. Goaltender Jonas Hiller will keep his no.1 from Anaheim. Mason Raymond and Brandon Bollig will reverse the numbers they wore in Toronto and Chicago, respectively, going with no.21 and no.25. Baffingly-paid winger/defenceman/enforcer Deryk Engelland will wear no.29. Winger Joe Colborne has filed for salary arbitration, his hearing scheduled for August 1.
Carolina
The Hurricanes have been inactive in the past week.
Chicago
The Blackhawks have signed their dynamic duo, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to eight-year extensions, effective in 2015, worth $84M apiece. A formal announcement will be made next week. Getting these two extended has been the big story all summer for the Blackhawks, bigger than free agency and the draft. Winger Pierre-Marc Bouchard, who spent most of the season, and all of his time following a trade from the Islanders, signed with EV Zug of the Swiss National League.
Colorado
Reportedly, talks with the Avalanche have broken down (again) on a contract extension for Lady Byng winner Ryan O’Reilly, and they seem very likely to reach their club-elected arbitration hearing on July 23.
Columbus
The Blue Jackets signed centre Brandon Dubinsky to a six-year extension, effective in 2015, worth $35.1M. Between his playing style, production, and big extension, I think Dubinsky will be captain soon. They also signed a couple of major RFAs. Defenceman David Savard got two years worth $2.6M, and winger Corey Tropp got two years worth $1.25M.
Dallas
For the Stars, winger Antoine Roussel has an arbitration hearing scheduled for July 22. Defenceman prospect Cameron Gaunce had a hearing scheduled for July 25, but was re-signed. Forward Rich Peverley is still working towards an NHL return after his afib episode last season.
Detroit
The Red Wings, for some odd reason, re-signed winger Daniel Cleary for one year. Cleary’s contract is worth $1.5M, with an extra $1M in performance bonuses, and an extra $250K signing bonus. Based on him having scored fewer points in 52 games last season than in 48 games the season before, as well as his injury-proneness in recent seasons, suggests that this is a bad deal for Detroit.
Edmonton
The Oilers have signed defenceman Jeff Petry to a one-year contract. The puck mover will get $3.075M. Goaltender Richard Bachman, who spent most of the year in the minors after backing up Dallas for a bit, was signed for one year, for $615K at the NHL level and $225K at the AHL level. Winger Ben Eager, who spent the last two seasons in the minors, has signed with the KHL’s CSKA Moscow.
Florida
The Panthers re-signed defenceman Erik Gudbranson to a two-year deal worth $5M. Defenceman Greg Zanon was signed to a one-year two-way deal, worth $600K at the NHL level and $150K at the AHL level. Zanon spent last season playing for the Panthers‘ minor league affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, after being bought out by Colorado in 2013. Winger Jimmy Hayes has an arbitration hearing set for July 29.
Los Angeles
Dwight King has filed for arbitration, with a hearing scheduled for August 1. The Kings don’t have any other news.
Minnesota
The Wild have signed defenceman Jonathon Blum to a one-year contract, worth $650K at the NHL level and $175K at the AHL level, and forward Jordan Schroeder, released as an RFA by Vancouver, to a two-year deal. Winger Justin Fontaine has filed for arbitration and has a hearing set for August 1.
Montreal
Winger Lars Eller and superstar defenceman PK Subban have both filed for salary arbitration. Eller’s hearing is scheduled for July 25, while Subban’s is set for August 1. Subban has been rumoured to be the next Canadiens captain.
Nashville
The Predators have signed Anton Volchenkov, fresh off being bought out by New Jersey, to a one-year contract worth $1M. Young defenceman Mattias Ekholm has also been re-signed to a two-year contract worth $2.075M. Ekholm’s deal averts a hearing originally set for July 22.
New Jersey
The Devils have shored up their goaltending by re-signing Cory Schneider to a seven-year contract worth $42M.
NY Islanders
Forward Anders Lee and defenceman Aaron Ness have gotten new one-year contracts. Lee’s contract is worth $850,500 at the NHL level and $67.5K at the AHL level, while Ness’ contract is worth $826,875 at the NHL level and $65.5K at the AHL level. Goaltender Kevin Poulin has filed for arbitration, with a hearing scheduled for July 30.
NY Rangers
Centre Derick Brassard and wingers Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello have all filed for arbitration. Kreider’s hearing is on July 23, Zuccarello’s is on July 25, and Brassard’s is on July 28.
Ottawa
Forward prospect Derek Grant was re-signed, averting an arbitration hearing originally set for July 24. The big news to come up for the Senators is that General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Brian Murray has been diagnosed with cancer. Best wishes to Murray and his family.
Philadelphia
There is no major news for the Flyers this week.
Pittsburgh
The Penguins have re-signed winger Jayson Megna to a one-year contract worth $874,125 at the NHL level and $70K at the AHL level. They also re-signed 2014 first-rounder Kasperi Kapanen to a three-year entry level contract worth $2.775K at the NHL level, $210K at the AHL level. Forward Nick Spaling has filed for arbitration, with a hearing scheduled for July 31.
San Jose
The Sharks signed winger Tommy Wingels to a three-year contract worth $7.425M and forward James Sheppard to a one-year contract worth $1.3M. They re-signed defenceman Scott Hannan to a one-year contract worth $1M. They have re-signed defenceman Matt Tennyson to a two-year contractt worth $1.25M. The deal is worth $75K at the AHL level during the first year, upgraded to a one-way deal for year 2. Defenceman Jason Demers has filed for arbitration, and has a hearing scheduled for July 22.
St. Louis
The Blues, for some unknown reason, signed agitator Steve Ott to a two-year contract worth $5.2M. Forward Vladimir Sobotka was scheduled for a club-elected arbitration hearing on July 21, but has signed for three years with the KHL’s Avangard Omsk.
Tampa Bay
The Lightning have signed winger Brett Connolly to a one-year contract worth $850K at the NHL level, and $67.5K at the AHL level. They have signed winger Brenden Morrow to a one-year contract worth $1.55M. They have also signed winger Richard Panik to a one-year, two-way deal. Defenceman Brian Lee, a former first-round pick acquired from Ottawa during 2011/12, has retired. Already considered a draft bust and struggling to earn playing time, he sat out the entire 2013/14 season with knee injuries sustained the previous season.
Toronto
Defenceman Cody Franson and goaltender James Reimer have filed for salary arbitration. Franson’s hearing is on July 21, and Reimer’s is on July 28. The Maple Leafs have been rumoured to be trying to trade Reimer.
Vancouver
The Canucks re-signed defenceman Christopher Tanev to a one-year contract worth $2M.
Washington
The Capitals were silent this week.
Winnipeg
The Jets traded prospect Jordan Samuels-Thomas to the Buffalo Sabres for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2015. The only likely condition is that Winnipeg will only get the pick if Buffalo signs Samuels-Thomas before he becomes a UFA on August 15, as per the CBA’s rules on college prospects. They are taking winger Michael Frolik to club-elected arbitration on July 31.
That’s the NHL this week, thanks for reading!
