Articles by Doug Stolhand

The first restricted free agent has been signed to an offer sheet.
David Backes, a 24-year-old St. Louis right winger, has signed a three-year, $7.

TORONTO – Journeyman defenceman Jeff Finger was in the ECHL the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs made the playoffs.After signing him to a US$14-million, four-year deal on Tuesday, the Maple Leafs team are hoping that Finger can help get them back to the post-season.

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs have turned to a familiar face to fill their backup goaltending vacancy.Curtis Joseph has returned to the Maple Leafs after signing a US$700,000, one-year deal.

BOSTON – The Boston Bruins signed free agent rookie forward Blake Wheeler on Tuesday.Wheeler was drafted fifth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2004, but didn’t sign.

WASHINGTON – The Washington Capitals have turned to another former Montreal Canadiens goalie.The Caps signed free-agent netminder Jose Theodore to a US$9-million, two-year contract on Tuesday.

The Minnesota Wild are bringing back Andrew Brunette.
The 34-year-old left winger has spent the past three seasons in Colorado, scoring 63, 83 and 59 points during that span.

TORONTO – The free agent market for Mats Sundin is so hot that he might end up earning more money than any other NHL player next season.A source tells The Canadian Press that the Vancouver Canucks offered the Swedish centre a US$20-million, two-year contract after he became an unrestricted free agent Tuesday for the first time in his career.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Marek Zidlicky is on the move.The Minnesota Wild acquired the 31-year-old defenceman from the Nashville Predators on Tuesday for prospect Ryan Jones and a second-round draft pick.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins signed forward Pascal Dupuis to a three-year contract on Tuesday.The 29-year-old Dupuis came to the Penguins in a trade deadline deal from Atlanta along with star winger Marian Hossa, who is one of the top names on the free agent market.

The New Jersey Devils re-signed potential free agents Jay Pandolfo and Bryce Salvador on Tuesday but said goodbye to forward Sergei Brylin, who won three Stanley Cup titles and spent 13 seasons with the NHL club.

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their off-season makeover Tuesday by signing free-agent forwards Radim Vrbata and Adam Hall to three-year contracts and free-agent goalie Olaf Kolzig to a one-year deal.

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning signed unrestricted free agent forward Radim Vrbata to a $9-million, three-year contract Tuesday.He had 56 points (27-29) in 76 games for the Phoenix Coyotes last season.

EDMONTON – The shakeup continues in Edmonton.The Oilers acquired winger Erik Cole and centre Gilbert Brule in separate trades on Tuesday.Cole arrives from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenceman Joni Pitkanen.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Corey Perry is keeping up with Anaheim Ducks teammate Ryan Getzlaf.Anaheim signed Perry, its second-leading scorer from last season, to a five-year, US$26.

CALGARY – The Calgary Flames acquired winger Rene Bourque from the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday in exchange for a conditional second-round draft choice.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks have found enough salary-cap room to sign emerging forward Corey Perry to a US$26.625-million, five-year contract extension.

DETROIT – Brad Stuart is going to be back to help the Detroit Red Wings defend the Stanley Cup.The defenceman signed a US$15-million, four-year contract extension with the Red Wings on Tuesday, just before he was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

TSN is reporting the Edmonton Oilers have made their second deal of the day, sending defenseman Joni Pitkanen to the Hurricanes for power forward Erik Cole.

EDMONTON – The shakeup continues in Edmonton.The Oilers have traded winger Raffi Torres to the Columbus Blue Jackets for centre Gilbert Brule.

WASHINGTON – The Washington Capitals are keeping the dynamic young star with the sparkling end-to-end moves but not the goaltender whose outstanding play helped lead the late surge to the playoffs.