News

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild have signed last year’s first-round draft pick Tyler Cuma to an entry-level contract.Cuma’s deal was announced Friday

MONTREAL – Travis Moen is on the move again.The Montreal Canadiens added some toughness by signing the hard-hitting forward to a three-year contract on Friday

WASHINGTON – Once an NHL iron man, Brendan Morrison has been left at the curb by three teams in less than 15 months because of injuries.The Washington Capitals believe he’s healthy and ready to be productive again, enough to give a one-year, US$1

NEWARK, N.J. – The New Jersey Devils have acquired forward Tim Sestito from Edmonton in exchange for a 2010 conditional draft pick and signed free agent goaltender Yann Danis

TORONTO – The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Swedish forward Rickard Wallin to a one-year contract Friday.The 29-year-old Stockholm native played 55 games last season for Farjestads in the Swedish Elite League, where he led the team in goals (tie-18) and points (45), while adding 27 assists

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning signed free agent goaltender Antero Niittymaki on Friday.The former Philadelphia Flyers backup appeared in 32 games last season, posting a 15-8-6 record, a

NEW YORK – The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with forward Ales Kotalik on a three-year, US$9-million deal.Kotalik had 20 goals and 43 points in 75 games with the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers last season, the fourth time in six seasons he reached the 20-goal mark

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Defenceman Kent Huskins has re-signed with the San Jose Sharks, agreeing to a two-year deal to stay with a team for which he still hasn’t played a game

PHOENIX – The NHL is accusing Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes of trying to derail the sale of the team to a group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf by filing a flurry of requests for depositions before the July 24 deadline for formal submission of the bid

DETROIT – Jiri Hudler’s days in Detroit are over – at least for now.Hudler’s contract with Dynamo Moscow was filed Thursday with the Continental Hockey League (KHL), according to a league spokesman, meaning he will play next season in the same league as former star Sergei Fedorov

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning signed defenceman Victor Hedman to a standard, three-year rookie contract on Thursday.Hedman was the second overall pick in June’s entry draft

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Sharks agreed to terms with free agent blue-liner Rob Blake on a US$3.5-million, one-year deal.The veteran defenceman had 45 points (10 goals, 35 assists) in 73 games last year – his 18th NHL season

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks signed free agent defenceman Nick Boynton to a one-year, US$1.5-million contract on Thursday.The 30-year-old played in 68 games with the Florida Panthers last season, scoring five goals with 16 assists and 91 penalty minutes

DENVER – Longtime Colorado Avalanche captain Joe Sakic is officially retiring after 20 seasons and two Stanley Cup titles.The 40-year-old Sakic has been the face of the franchise since the team moved to Denver in 1995

BY ALEX MANSFIELD

THN.com has learned the Anaheim Ducks have signed free agent defenseman Nick Boynton to a one-year contract. Boynton’s agent, Anton Thun, confirmed the deal, but would not reveal the specific terms, saying only that it was a one-year pact

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – John Tavares’ confident stride, friendly wave, broad smile and polished words didn’t give away nervousness that had to be running through him on his first real day as the face of the New York Islanders

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators settled their goaltending logjam Wednesday, sending Alex Auld to the Dallas Stars for a sixth-round pick in the 2010 draft

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild have signed defenceman Jamie Fraser and Jaime Sifers to one-year deals.The 23-year-old Fraser appeared in one game for the New York Islanders last season

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Playing in Montreal wasn’t always easy but Saku Koivu says he enjoyed every minute of being a Canadien.Still, hockey is a business and when it became clear the Canadiens were not going to offer him a new contract this season he had no option but to sign a one-year deal worth US$3

CHICAGO – The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with winger Kris Versteeg on a three-year deal, the club announced Wednesday.

The 23-year-old had an impressive rookie campaign, leading all first-year pros with 31 assists while ranking second with 53 points