News

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.

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.

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. – 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.

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. – 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.

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 have signed Mike Green to a US$21-million, four-year contract, preventing the offensive defenceman from being exposed to an offer sheet.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals are keeping the dynamic young star with the oh-my-gosh end-to-end moves.Alex Ovechkin? He’s already under contract.

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.

Movements in the world of hockey Monday:National Hockey LeagueCOLORADO AVALANCHE-Re-signed D Adam Foote to a two-year contract and D John-Michael Liles to a four-year contract.

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings re-signed Andreas Lilja to a US$2.5-million, two-year contract Monday, a day before the 27-year-old defenceman would have become an unrestricted free agent.

LEWISTON, N.Y – The Buffalo Sabres rewarded Paul Gaustad for his hard-hitting style, re-signing the blue-collar centre to a US$9.2-million, four-year contract on Monday.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Vaclav Prospal to a multi-year contract.

Tampa Bay acquired the rights to Prospal on June 18, 2008 in exchange for Nashville’s seventh-round pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and Tampa Bay’s fourth-round pick in 2009.

SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers locked up one of their top young players to a long-term contract Monday when they agreed to terms on a six-year contract with winger Rostislav Olesz.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Sharks re-signed forward Jody Shelley to a two-year contract Monday, keeping their top enforcer in San Jose after acquiring him in a trade last season.

LEWISTON, N.Y. – The Buffalo Sabres have opened contract talks with Ryan Miller in a bid to sign the star goaltender to a lucrative long-term deal this summer, well before he can become an unrestricted free agent after next season.

You can cross who would have been one of the most coveted restricted free agents off the available list. The Hockey News has learned the Anaheim Ducks are on the verge of agreeing to terms on a five-year deal for 23-year-old right winger Corey Perry.