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| The Pittsburgh Penguins completed two transactions on Thursday, re-signing left wing Connor James and inking defenseman Joey Mormina to a deal, according to Sports Ticker. |
Our View: James appeared in 13 games for Pittsburgh last season, recording his first career goal and two penalty minutes. The 25-year-old native of Calgary also registered nine tallies and 28 assists in 64 contests with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League in 2007-08. Mormina got his first taste of action in the NHL last season with Carolina, appearing in one contest with the Hurricanes. The 26-year-old spent the majority of the campaign with Albany of the AHL, notching four goals and nine assists in 77 games.
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| Updating an earlier story, we have now learned the new deal signed by forward Pavol Demitra , joining the Vancouver Canucks, is good for two years, awarding the winger a total of $8 million, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Terms of the deal were not disclosed until late today and we wanted to pass them along. Demitra has 699 points (281-418) in 750 career regular-season games with Minnesota, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Ottawa.
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| The NHL and The Russian hockey league have reached a new agreement on how to deal with the transfer of players from Russia to the NHL, according to TSN. "Everyone in the room agreed that for the foreseeable future everyone will respect everybody's contracts," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. |
Our View: This agreement was basically in response to the fact that a Russian team made a huge offer to try an lure Evgeni Malkin from the Penguins.
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| According to PA Sports Ticker, the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday signed veteran defenseman Jason Strudwick to a one-year contract. |
Our View: Look for Strudwick to add leadership, not to be confused with production, to Edmonton. Strudwick managed 2 points playing in 52 games last year for the Rangers.
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| The Washington Capitals have re-signed Eric Fehr to a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. This was reported by PA Sports Ticker. |
Our View: Former 2003 first-round pick, 22 year-old Fehr, has collected three goals and nine points in 48 career NHL games.
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| According to PA Sports Ticker, the Blues have signed defenseman Mike Weaver to a one-year contract. |
Our View: Weaver had 1 point in 55 games playing for Vancouver last season. Its safe to say Weaver has zero fantasy value.
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| Defenseman Rob Davison has been signed by the Vancouver Canucks, reports PA sports Ticker. |
Our View: Davison's 2 points and 53 PIM last year means he shouldn't even be close to your fantasy radar.
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| The Vancouver Canucks have signed free agent winger Pavol Demitra , although terms of the deal were not disclosed, reports PA Sports Ticker. |
Our View: Demitra hopes a change of scenery will reignite his career. Demitra's 54 points last season was his lowest total since playing for the Blues in 2001.
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| Nikita Filatov, who was the sixth overall pick in the NHL draft, has signed a contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to TSN.com. |
Our View: Filatov will battle for a spot on the team in training camp. He has tremendous offensive potential, scoring 66 points in 34 games with his Russian team last season. If he makes the Blue Jackets squad, he could be of use in fantasy leagues.
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| Martin Straka will be joining his former Czech team, HC Lasselsberger Plzen, as he signed a one-year contract to handle dual roles as player and general manager, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Straka had a nice season with the Rangers last year, tallying 41 points. Only those who play Czech fantasy hockey should consider him an option for their team next season.
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| Chris Mason has spent part of his offseason in Calgary working on his technique as he tries to rebound from a mediocre season last year, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "The kids coming up have more efficient ways of making saves. I'm just really trying to strengthen that part of my game," he said. |
Our View: Mason will get his share of playing time, even though the Blues already have Manny Legace in goal. Depending on his ice time, he could serve as depth for fantasy hockey players.
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| The Ottawa Senators are interested in 25-year-old defenseman Brendan Bell, according to Slam! Sports. |
Our View: Bell was a third-round pick in 2001, and he has shown offensive skills in the minor leagues. However, in 48 career NHL games, he has just one goal and six assists. He is not a fantasy option right now.
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| The Florida Panthers are continuing to negotiate a long-term deal with Jay Bouwmeester, according to the Miami Herald. "We're confident we'll get something done," Panthers GM Jacques Martin said. |
Our View: Bouwmeester had 15 goals and 37 points last season, and is a nice option at defenseman for fantasy hockey players.
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