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| Pavol Demitra reports that in an interview with Vancouver radio station CKNW, free agent forward Pavol Demitra confirmed that the Canucks are his preferred destination and expects to sign with the team. "I think there is a good chance," Demitra said. "[Current Canucks GM Mike Gillis] used to be my agent for a long time. We are very good friends. I am very interested in playing for [the Canucks]." |
Our View: Demitra also said that he wants to play for a team that will compete for the Stanley Cup, and given how the rest of the Canucks offseason is going, that does not appear to be the case in Vancouver. He would likely see his scoring opportunities increase, which fantasy owners should enjoy.
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| TSN Canada reports that the Blues signed Group II free agent forward Steve Bernier to an offer sheet worth $2.5 million for next season, which the Canucks were quick to match. |
Our View: Judging by his new GM's statements, Bernier will have increased fantasy value next season. "Steve is a highly regarded young offensive player in our League," said Canucks GM Mike Gillis in a statement. "As we have stated with his right-handed shot he will be a great addition to our top six forward group and an asset to our power play."
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| Brandon Bochenski has signed a two-year contract with the Lightning, according to TSN. Financial terms were not announced. |
Our View: He was bounced around between Boston, Nashville, and Anaheim last season, and tallied three goals and 10 assists over 40 games of action. He started with Chicago back in 2005-06, and Tampa Bay will be the 26-year-old's fifth team.
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| Former Flyers' defenseman Jason Smith has inked a two-year deal to join the Senators, according to TSN. Financial terms were not disclosed. |
Our View: He only scored one goal and nine assists over 77 games with Philadelphia in 2007-08, but had 86 penalty minutes. The enforcer will add toughness and leadership to the Senators, but won't emerge as a fantasy option.
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| The Canadiens have re-signed goalie Jaroslav Halak to a two-year deal worth $1.55 million, according to TSN. |
Our View: The 23-year-old went 2-1-1 with a solid 2.11 GAA with Montreal last season, but his fantasy value will remain limited while serving as Carey Price's backup.
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| Patrick Thoresen has opted to reject a final contract offer from the Flyers and temporarily return to European hockey, according to Slam Sports. He said, "I wanted a so-called one-way contract, which is to say the same salary regardless of whether I played in the NHL or a farm team. That makes things more predictable for me and my family."
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Our View: He had offers from a variety of European clubs, and would likely either play in Switzerland or Sweden. He noted that he would like to return to the NHL.
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| Evgeny Artyukhin has re-signed with the Lightning, according to the Sports Network. He agreed to a multi-year deal, but exact terms were not disclosed. |
Our View: The 25-year-old winger spent the past two seasons in the Russian Super League, and played 72 games for the Lightning during the 2005-06 campaign, in which he notched four goals, 13 assists, and 90 penalty minutes.
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| As expected, former Canucks' center Brendan Morrison has signed a deal with the Ducks, according to Slam Sports. He agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million. |
Our View: Morrison was limited to 39 games with Vancouver last season, but he still made an impact with 16 assists and nine goals, three of which were game-winners. He turned down offers from Minnesota, Columbus, and Los Angeles to play for Anaheim, which reunites him with GM Brian Burke.
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| Defenseman Joe Callahan has inked a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders, according to the Miami Herald. |
Our View: He spent last season with the Portland Pirates of the AHL, while finishing the regular season with a goal and 23 assists in 65 games. He was previously in the Mighty Ducks' system.
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| Martin Havlat is going to be examined by the Blackhawks' team doctors next week in Chicago, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. |
Our View: He has reportedly recovered favorably from his latest shoulder surgery. He was limited to 35 games last season, but made an impact with 17 assists and 10 goals, two of them game-winners.
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| Michael Peca has agreed to a multi-year deal with the Blue Jackets, according to the Columbus Post-Dispatch. Exact length and financial terms of the contract were not announced. |
Our View: The signing of RJ Umberger was believed to end Peca's career in Columbus, but the team has found room to keep him. He only scored eight goals last season, but three of them were game-winners.
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| Mark Recchi has inked a one-year deal with the Lightning worth $1.25 million (with incentives), according to TSN. |
Our View: The 40-year-old scored 14 goals and 34 assists last season with time spent between Pittsburgh and Atlanta. He is yet another veteran added to the Lightning in the off-season, joining Ryan Malone, Adam Hall, Gary Roberts, and Radim Vrbata.
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