Post here the latest news about the free agent world and world of deals and rumors.

The roller coaster career of Manny Fernandez as a Minnesota Wild goaltender officially ended on Sunday morning with the trade of the Wild original. Fernandez was sent to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Petr Kalus, a 6-foot-1 power forward, and a fourth round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Rumors had swirled since the end of last season about the status of Fernandez, who began the 2006-2007 as Minnesota's first-ever designated starter. When a knee injury sidelined Fernandez, backup Niklas Backstrom seized the opportunity by performing brilliantly through the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.

With two years remaining on a large contract, the Wild had to decide whether or not to re-sign Backstrom, and then figure out what would happen after that. Backstrom signed in early June, and a decision on whether or not the team could afford to keep two top flight goaltenders was necessary.

Originally maintaining that Fernandez would be part of the team this year, Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough began listening to offers as the NHL Entry Draft neared on June 22. No deal was struck, but apparently talks with the Boston Bruins just needed one more week to simmer.

In sending Fernandez to Boston, the Wild acquires Kalus - a player with the attributes repeatedly discussed by Wild management since the team was out-muscled in the first round of the playoffs by eventual Stanley Cup champion, Anaheim.

Possessing good size (6-foot-1, 186) as well as speed and scoring touch, Kalus did not take long to reach the National Hockey League. He began his first professional season last year with Providence of the AHL and posted 13 goals and 17 assists in 43 games. After getting called up by Boston, Kalus scored a goal on each of his first three shots and ended up with four goals and one assist in nine games.

A scouting report on TSN.ca describes Kalus as having a "very projectable frame and a world of speed and skill. Is an electric goal scorer, and is versatile enough to line up on either side of center," and lists his career potential as a "top six winger."

The Ostrava, Czech Republic native was originally drafted in the second round (39th overall) by Boston in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

The trade of Fernandez not only brings in Kalus, but it now allows the Wild to keep hot goaltending prospect Josh Harding with the big club this season. Harding has been outstanding in three years with Houston in the AHL. After getting called up to serve as backup to Backstrom, Harding was stellar in posting a 3-2-1 record with a 1.16 goals against average and a .960 save percentage.

The trade also frees up room for the Wild under the new NHL salary cap, which was lifted to 50 million dollars on Sunday. Had the team kept Fernandez, it would have had very few options as it moved to sign its remaining unrestricted free agents as well as free agent role players.
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ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today the team has signed center Keith Tkachuk.

“We are excited to be able to bring a player of Keith’s caliber back to the St. Louis Blues,” said Davidson. “Keith played great hockey under Head Coach Andy Murray last season and we are thrilled to have him wearing the Bluenote again.”

The Blues traded Tkachuk to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for a first round draft choice in 2007, a third round draft choice in 2007, a second round draft choice in 2008 and forward Glen Metropolit on Feb. 25, 2007.

Tkachuk, 35, had 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 61 games with the Blues at the time of the trade. He ranked second on the club in goals and points, while leading the club with eight power-play goals and 92 penalty minutes before being sent to the Thrashers. He finished last season with 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) and reached the 50-point plateau for the 12th time in 15 seasons.

The 6-2, 225-pound center has twice been named to the NHL Second All-Star Team (1995 and 1998) and played in the NHL All-Star Game four times (1997, 1998, 1999 and 2004). Tkachuk is 27 goals shy of reaching the 500 goal mark and needs 24 games to reach 1,000. He has amassed 926 career points (473 goals, 453 assists) and 2,033 penalty minutes in 976 NHL games with Winnipeg, Phoenix, St. Louis and Atlanta.

The Medford, Massachusetts native has represented the United States in six different international competitions, including the 1992, 1998, 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympic Games, winning a silver medal in 2002. He also played in the 1996 and 2004 World Cup of Hockey, helping the United States win the championship in 1996.

Tkachuk was originally selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round, 19th overall, in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -Veteran forward Adam Mair re-signed for three years with the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

Mair earned a slight raise above the $675,000 he made last season. The deal was announced by his agent, Robert Gerow, and reached a day before Mair was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.

The seven-year NHL veteran spent the past four seasons with Buffalo. He had two goals and nine assists in 82 games last season and added a career-high five points (one goal, four assists) in 16 playoff games.

Mair's signing comes as the Sabres expect to lose co-captains Chris Drury and Daniel Briere to free agency. Briere announced he'll test the market, and Drury is expected to follow.

Drury's agent, Mark Witkin, and the Sabres declined to discuss the negotiations.

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ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today the club has re-signed defenseman Barret Jackman to a one-year contract.

“Barret has been solid on the blueline for the Blues since breaking in with the club in his first full season in 2002-03,” said Davidson. “He’s an excellent assistant captain and we look for him to play a vital role in helping lead our team next season.”

Jackman, 26, skated in 70 games with the Blues last season, collecting career highs in points (27) and assists (24). He ranked first on the team with a plus-20 rating and 98 hits. Jackman also ranked third on the team with 133 blocked shots and an average of 21:29 minutes of ice time per game.

The Fruitvale, British Columbia native helped Team Canada capture the gold medal at the 2007 World Championship in Russia.

Jackman has played in a total of 231 career NHL games all with St. Louis, registering 59 points (11 goals, 48 assists) along with 469 penalty minutes. He became the first Blue in franchise history to capture the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s most outstanding rookie in 2002-03.

Jackman was originally drafted by the Blues as their first round selection, 17th overall in the 1999 Entry Draft.

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San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed Center Joe Thornton to a three-year contract extension, which will keep the 2006 Hart Trophy winner in San Jose through the 2011 season.

“Joe Thornton is among the top group of elite players in the National Hockey League,” said Wilson. “In addition to his play on the ice, Joe leads by example and has as much love for the game as anyone I have seen. Making sure Joe remained in San Jose was a top priority and he will be an integral part of our franchise as we march towards our goal of competing for the Stanley Cup next year and for years to come.”

Thornton has been among the most dominant players in the NHL over the last two seasons since being acquired by San Jose on Nov. 30, 2005. During that span, his 239 points (51 goals, 188 assists) lead all NHL scorers. In addition, Thornton is the leading scorer in the NHL since the beginning of 2002-03 season with 413 points (110 goals, 303 assists. Furthermore, Thornton leads all NHL players who were 27 or younger entering last season in career scoring with 660 points (211 goals, 449 assists) in 672 games, averaging .98 points per game.

On April 5, Thornton became just the third player in NHL history to record back-to-back 90 assist seasons, along with Wayne Gretzky (12 times, 1980-81 through 1991-92) and Mario Lemieux (1987-88 and 1988-89). He has also set new Sharks franchise records for points and assists in a single season.

Thornton led the Sharks in scoring the past two seasons, posting 92 points (20 goals, 72 assists) with San Jose in just 58 games in 2005-06 (in 81 games with San Jose and Boston, he had an NHL-leading 125 points, earning the Art Ross Trophy) and 114 points (22 goals, 92 assists) in 2006-07. Since being acquired by San Jose on Nov. 30, 2005, Thornton has posted 206 points (42 goals, 164 assists) in only 140 games (1.47 points per game).

A four-time NHL All-Star (2002-2005, 2007), has also represented Team Canada on the 2006 Olympic Team, World Championships (2001, 2005) and World Cup of Hockey (2004). He was named a First-Team NHL All-Star in 2006 and Second-Team NHL All-Star in 2003

Thornton was acquired by San Jose on Nov. 30, 2005 from Boston in exchange for LW Marco Sturm, D Brad Stuart and RW Wayne Primeau.

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Atlanta, GA (July 1, 2007) -- The Atlanta Thrashers have agreed to terms with forward Pascal Dupuis, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Dupuis, 28, notched 19 points (14 goals, five assists) in 71 games last season with Minnesota, the New York Rangers and Atlanta. The 6-0, 200-pound forward tallied five points (three goals, two assists) in 17 games for Atlanta. He added three points (one goal, two assists) in four post-season contests and led the club’s forwards with an average of 20:28 time on ice. He also notched 13 points (10 goals, three assists) in 48 regular-season games with Minnesota and added one goal in six games with New York. The Thrashers acquired Dupuis and a third-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft from the Rangers (used to acquire Chris Thorburn from Pittsburgh) in exchange for forward Alex Bourret on Feb. 27. Dupuis had joined the Rangers a few weeks earlier from Minnesota in exchange for forward Adam Hall on Feb. 10.

During his six-year NHL career, Dupuis has recorded 147 points (71 goals, 76 assists) in 357 regular season games. The native of Laval, Quebec has appeared in 20 playoff games, registering 11 points (five goals, six assists). Dupuis signed with Minnesota as a free agent on Sept. 18, 2000 and began his career with the Wild in 2000-01.

During his first professional season in 2000-01, he notched 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) in 70 games with Cleveland of the former International Hockey League. Prior to joining Cleveland, he spent four seasons of junior hockey in the QMJHL with Rouyn-Noranda and Shawinigan from 1996-2000, notching 247 points (105 goals, 142 assists) and 348 penalty minutes in 229 games.

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Atlanta, GA (July 1, 2007) -- The Atlanta Thrashers have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent center Todd White on a multi-year contract, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.

“Todd is a high-character individual and a talented all-around center who will flourish in our system,” said Waddell. “He is highly competitive and plays at a level that will complement and improve our existing group of forwards.”

White, 32, has tallied 243 points (97 goals, 146 assists) and 142 penalty minutes in 414 career games over nine seasons with Minnesota, Ottawa, Philadelphia, and Chicago. He has earned a plus-53 rating in his career and has recorded 26 power play goals, nine game-winning goals and three shorthanded goals. He has also appeared in 43 playoff games with Ottawa and Minnesota, recording 11 points (eight goals, three assists).

The native of Kanata, Ontario recorded 44 points (13 goals, 31 assists) and a plus-eight rating in 77 games with the Minnesota Wild last season. The 5-10, 195-pound forward ranked fifth on the Wild in assists (31) and sixth in points (44). He also appeared in four playoff games.

Originally signed as a free agent by Chicago in 1997, White tallied 254 points (119 goals, 135 assists) in 228 career minor-league games with Indianapolis (IHL), Chicago (IHL), Cleveland (IHL) Philadelphia (AHL), and Grand Rapids (IHL). He was awarded with the International Hockey League’s Garry F. Longman Trophy as the league’s top rookie following the 1997-98 season with Indianapolis when he tallied 82 points (46 goals, 36 assists) in 65 games and led the league in points, goals, and power play goals (21).

Prior to turning pro, White spent four seasons with Clarkson University (ECAC), recording 197 points (90 goals, 107 assists) in 142 games. He was named to both the ECAC First All-Star Team and NCAA First All-Star Team after his senior season in 1997. He was a Hobey Baker Award Finalist after leading the ECAC with 74 points (38 goals, 36 assists) in 37 games.

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The Florida Panthers have dipped into the free agent market, signing winger Richard Zednik to a two-year deal ($1.5 million and $1.75 million), and forward Brett McLean to three-year deal worth $1.7 million per year.

Zednik had seven goals and 14 assists for the New York Islander and Washington Capitals this past season. He also missed 31 games with wrist and groin injuries.

Zednik, 31, spent parts of six seasons with the Capitals before he was dealt to Montreal in 2001.

He scored 20 goals three times for the Canadiens, including a career-high 31 in 2002-03. The Capitals reacquired him from Montreal for a third-round pick last summer.

McLean, 28, scored 15 goals and 35 points in 78 games in 2006-07 with the Colorado Avalanche.
Selected in the ninth round of the 1997 draft by Dallas, McLean made his NHL debut with Chicago in 2002-03, appearing in two games. He has collected 35 goals and 106 points in 238 career contests with the Blackhawks and Avalanche.

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The Philadelphia Flyers made a big splash to kick off the offseason, signing centre Daniel Briere to an eight-year contract worth $52 million. The deal will average $6.5 million a season against the salary cap, with the first year paying him $10 million. The contract also features a no movement clause.

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Free agent defenceman Tom Poti has signed a four-year deal with the Washington Captials worth $3.5 million per year.

Last season, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Poti had six goals and 38 assists in 78 games.

In 594 NHL games, Poti has 58 goals, 194 assists and a plus-12 rating.

The Worcester, Mass., native was a fourth-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 1996 and has played with the New York Rangers and New York Islanders.

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Restricted free agent Ryan Whitney has agreed to terms on a new six-year, $24 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Whitney tied for sixth in scoring among NHL defencemen this past season with 59 points. He had 14 goals and 45 assists in 81 games.

Ryan Whitney had surgery Thursday on his left wrist in April and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in September.

Whitney, Pittsburgh's first-round pick (fifth overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, has scored 20 goals and 97 points in 149 career games.

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You must be happy about this one the Maple Leafs signed Jason Blake to 4 years for 20million dollars. He's going to help them a lot.

Two other big signings the New York Rangers signed Scott Gomez and Chris Drury, they improve there team dramatically and should be one of the top contenders next year in the Eastern Conference. That team will be very scary to play against.

Once again Montreal are to sign someone but they back out at the last second. Last year it was Shanahan, the year before it was Lecavalier, and this year it's Briere. Daniel Briere was close to sign a contract with Montreal, I believe they even offered more money then Flyers did(not 100% on that one) but he said no at the last second and decided to sign with the Flyers instead.

Its strange because back in the old days all french Canadiens wanted to play for Montreal now in todays game no french Canadian wants to sign with them, it's very frustrating being a Habs fan. Hopefully we can still sign a goal scorer, because we need more scoring on our team especially that we will probably lose Souray.

Wings got Rafalski!

The Leafs finally are showing they give a damn again and are out on the market trying to do something for their team and the addition of Blake will do a lot. They still have some money so hopefully we can land another good player and try and improve that much more.

The Rangers and Flyers are the biggest winners so far in the frenzy. The Flyers have made huge moves to try and build up their team again and it looks like its working. I say that they are a top 5 team in the east again next year and the Rangers will be with them every step of the way. Your looking at some of the best talent on both of those teams in quite some time.

dammit we signed hasek for another year!

Well you know the Leafs are interested in dealing Raycroft so if you want him by all means I bet we can work something out.

no thanks.

We need to deal somehow.

holy crap, i haven't been paying attention!

Bertuzzi went to Anaheim!

We got Dallas Drake back, after so many years. Welcome home Dallas!

Lang went to Chicago.

dang.

Shockin' Jeanie. You need to focus in more:D

Bertuzzi is so overpaid...