Cole's Notes From Around the League - 8/30/14-9/5/14

Anaheim

The Ducks made no major moves this week.

Arizona

The Coyotes made no major moves this week.

Boston

The Bruins signed centre David Krejci to a six-year extension worth $43.5M. The consensus is that, as a big-money contract that ends when Krejci is 34, the Bruins will come to regret the contract somewhat quickly. They also re-signed winger Matt Fraser, who impressed the Bruins during their 2014 Playoff run, to a one-year two-way contract. Finally, they invited winger Ville Leino, bought out of his contract by Buffalo, to training camp on a PTO. At first glance, it seems that the Bruins are looking to some training camp invites to fill their vacancies at the wing on their bottom-two lines, though the Bruins will need to shed some salary to do so. Defenceman Steve Eminger, who last played in the NHL for the Rangers in 2013, was signed by Boston's AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, and will attend Boston's training camp.

Buffalo

The Sabres made no major moves this week.

Calgary

The Flames signed defenceman Corey Potter to a one-year two-way contract worth $700K at the NHL level and $200K in the minors. Potter may be able to make the team as someone with NHL experience, but he's never been a mainstay in an NHL lineup and would be the 7th/8th defenceman. On top of that, there's no guarantee he doesn't simply get a demotion to start the season.

Carolina

The Hurricanes hired former Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk as pro scout and advisor. Nieuwendyk is seen usually as proof, rather than disproof, that former NHL stars don't make good GMs, but a number of the players that made the playoffs with Dallas

Chicago

The Blackhawks made no major moves this week.

Colorado

The Avalanche re-signed defenceman Tyson Barrie to a two-year contract worth $5.2M. Barrie was Colorado's top defensive goal scorer last season and had a strong season overall. His injury was a major factor in Colorado being eliminated from the playoffs.

Columbus

When the Blue Jackets host the NHL All-Star Game in late January, the accompanying NHL Fan Fair will be held in the Greater Columbus Convention Centre.

Dallas

The Stars made no major moves this week.

Detroit

The Red Wings made no major moves this week.

Edmonton

The Oilers made no major moves this week.

Florida

The Panthers signed their first-round pick, 1st overall, in the 2014 NHL Draft, defenceman Aaron Ekblad, to an entry-level contract. Ekblad, lauded for his two-way game, was seen as one of the most NHL-ready draft [prospects going in, which made it a no-brainer to pick Ekblad. The belief is that Ekblad will be able to get into the lineup and make a decent impact sooner, rather than later. In addition, defenceman Shane O'Brien, bought out by Calgary this past summer, was invited to training camp on a PTO. If he gets a contract, he gets a small-money deal as a depth guy.

Los Angeles

The Kings made no major moves this week.

Minnesota

The Wild made no major moves this week.

Montreal

The Canadiens invited winger Drayson Bowman, unqualified as an RFA this summer, to training camp on a PTO. Bowman would provide depth, but could be used to provide an offensive presence on a fourth-line.

Nashville

The Predators made no major moves this week.

New Jersey

The Devils made no major moves this week.

NY Islanders

The Islanders made no major moves this week.

NY Rangers

The Rangers made no major moves this week.

Ottawa

The Senators made no major moves this week.

Philadelphia

The Flyers re-signed forward Zac Rinaldo to a two-year contract worth $1.7M. He's a fourth-line enforcer and won't bring much outside that role.

Pittsburgh

The Penguins invited winger Daniel Carcillo to training camp on a PTO. Carcillo plays the fourth-line tough guy role, but has shown the occasional flash of hockey ability, and the Penguins are the team that originally drafted him, selecting him in the third round, 73rd overall, in 2003.

San Jose

The Sharks made no major moves this week.

St. Louis

The Blues signed their first-round pick, 21st overall, in 2014, centre Robby Fabbri, to a entry-level contract. They also signed centre Colin Fraser to a one-year two-way contract worth $650K at the NHL level and $250K in the minors.

Tampa Bay

The Lightning entered into a partnership with longtime Tampa-area company Amalie Oil, and will rename their home venue, Tampa Bay Times Forum, Amalie Arena. They also extended their affiliation with their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, through the 2016/17 season.

Toronto

The Maple Leafs made no major moves this week.

Vancouver

The Canucks made no major moves this week.

Washington

The Capitals made no major moves this week.

Winnipeg

The Jets signed winger Nikolaj Ehlers to an entry-level contract. They also extended their affiliation with their AHL affiliation, the St. John's IceCaps, through the 2015/16 season.

That's the week in major NHL moves! Things are starting to pick up as the start of the new season approaches. Check back next week for more!