Arbitrator to rule on Niemi on Saturday (AP)
Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman expects to learn on Saturday whether his salary cap-squeezed team will be able to keep restricted free agent goaltender Antti Niemi of Finland. After Bowman and Niemi's agent, Bill Zito, were unable to reach contract terms for the 26-year-old, the case advanced to an arbitration hearing Thursday in Toronto.
Bruins' Wheeler signs 1-year, $2.2M deal (AP)
The Boston Bruins signed forward Blake Wheeler to a one-year contract on Friday. His agent Matt Keator said the deal is worth $2.2 million, the amount of an arbitrator's award given after a hearing on Tuesday. "The decision came in the range we expected," Keator said. "There were no winners or losers in this case." Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said in a statement...
Isles acquire D Wisniewski from Ducks (AP)
The New York Islanders acquired James Wisniewski from the Anaheim Ducks on Friday for a conditional third-round pick in 2011. The 26-year-old Wisniewski had three goals and 27 assists in 69 regular-season games last season for a career-high 30 points. He led Anaheim in blocked shots with 102, had 129 hits and averaged 24:20 of ice time.
Senators re-sign D Campoli for 1 year (AP)
Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Campoli re-signed Friday, agreeing to a one-year, $1.4 million contract. The 25-year-old Campoli had four goals and 14 assists in 67 games last season, and added two assists in six playoff games. He has 29 goals and 85 assists in 320 career regular-season games with New York Islanders and Senators.
Flames avoid arbitration with D White (AP)
The Calgary Flames avoided arbitration with Ian White by signing the defenseman to a one-year contract Friday. The 26-year-old White had 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists) in 83 games last season with the Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs. White was acquired in a multiplayer deal with Toronto in January. He has 32 goals and 85 assists in 323 NHL regular-season games.
Quenneville looking ahead to next season (AP)
Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville keeps repeating that he's "excited" about the Stanley Cup championship team's upside potential, even after shedding seven players to remain under the NHL's salary cap. Quenneville believes goalie Antti Niemi is among those players with a bright future, even if Niemi becomes the eighth Blackhawk trimmed from the team's roster due...
Lightning sign C Moore to 2-year deal (AP)
Free-agent center Dominic Moore has signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Moore appeared in 69 games last season with the Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens. He also has played for the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Toronto and Buffalo during a career that spans 374 NHL games.
Canadiens sign C Leblanc to 3-year deal (AP)
The Montreal Canadiens signed former Harvard center Louis Leblanc to a three-year contract Friday. Montreal selected Leblanc 18th overall in the 2009 Draft. Leblanc led Harvard in goals (11), assists (12), points (23) and game-winning goals (three) last season in 31 games. Leblanc, the Ivy League Rookie of the Year, has been invited to the Canadian world junior camp next week in St.
Thrashers sign F Ladd for 1 year, $2.35M (AP)
The Atlanta Thrashers have avoided arbitration with restricted free-agent Andrew Ladd by signing him to a one-year, $2.35 million deal. The 24-year-old forward had 17 goals and 21 assists with the Chicago Blackhawks last season before he was traded to Atlanta on July 1 for defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy and a second-round pick in 2011.
Sharks sign D Demers to 2-year contract (AP)
The San Jose Sharks have signed defenseman Jason Demers to a two-year contract. General manager Doug Wilson announced the deal Thursday. He says Demers' ability to play an up-tempo style makes him an important part of the team. Demers was voted the top rookie on the Sharks last season. He finished with four goals and 17 assists in 51 games.
