I'll start off with some big news already from the weekend.

Lightning Sign Lecavalier to 11-Year Extension

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed center Vincent Lecavalier to an 11-year contract extension, vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton announced. The deal, which starts following the 2008-09 season, keeps Lecavalier in a Lightning uniform through the 2019-2020 season.

"Not only is Vincent one of the most dynamic players in the NHL, he's one of the classiest people you'll ever meet off the ice as well," Lawton said."With this deal our ownership has made it clear that he is the cornerstone of the Lightning, and Vincent has shown his dedication to the franchise and the Tampa Bay area by signing for less than he undoubtedly would've received on the open market. This is a great day for all Lightning fans."

The franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 273 goals and 602 points in 710 games with the Lightning, Lecavalier, 28, posted 40 goals and 92 points in 81 games in 2007-08, becoming the first Tampa Bay player to record back to back seasons of 40 goals or more. That came on the heels of his 52-goal season in 2006-07 which earned him the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal scorer. A 6-foot-4, 219-pound native of Ile Bizard, Quebec, Lecavalier has scored at least 32 goals in his past five NHL seasons.

“I’m proud and honored to be committing myself to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the rest of my NHL career,” Lecavalier said. “It’s no secret how I feel about the organization, the fans and the Tampa Bay community, and there’s no place else I’d rather be. Combine that with the enthusiasm and commitment to winning that has been shown by owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie, and signing this long-term deal was an easy decision.”

A consistent playoff performer, Lecavalier has tallied 18 goals, 33 points and 64 penalty minutes in 45 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. His nine goals and 16 points in 23 games helped lead the Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup, and he has six goals and 11 points in 11 games during the Lightning’s past two playoff appearances.

Selected first overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Lecavalier has played in three NHL All-Star Games and has represented Canada in the World Junior Championships (1998), the World Championships (2001), the World Cup (2004, MVP) and the Winter Olympic Games (2006). Lecavalier played two seasons for Rimouski of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, tallying 86 goals, 132 assists and 218 points in 122 regular season games. Following the 1997-98 season with Rimouski he was ranked as the top North American draft prospect by the Central Scouting Service and was named to the Canadian Hockey League First All-Star Team.

Lecavalier has made community giving and charitable work a part of his daily life since joining the Lightning in 1998. In October of 2007, he made his largest commitment yet to the Tampa Bay community, announcing a $3 million pledge to construct the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. Following the 2007-08 season he was awarded a $25,000 grant by the NHL Foundation in recognition of commitment and service to charities in the community. He also received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy as the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution in his community.

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Blue Jackets Sign Free Agent Craig MacDonald; Re-Sign Derek MacKenzie

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed free agent left wing Craig MacDonald to a one-year contract and re-signed center Derek MacKenzie to a two-year contract, club General Manager Scott Howson announced July 14. Both are two-way NHL-American Hockey League contracts and keeping with club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

MacDonald, 31, registered two goals and nine assists for 11 points and 16 penalty minutes in 65 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season, setting career highs in assists, points and games played. He was nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Hartford's third pick, 88th overall, in the 1996 Entry Draft, he has registered 10-23-33 and 91 penalty minutes in 225 career NHL games with Carolina, Florida, Boston, Calgary, Chicago and Tampa Bay. He has also recorded 76-135-211 and 386 penalty minutes in 313 career AHL games with New Haven, Lowell, Omaha and Norfolk.

The 6-foot-1, 201-pound MacDonald spent two seasons at Harvard and notched 13-20-33 and 30 penalty minutes in 66 games. In 1997-98, he played for the Canadian National Team and had 18-29-47 and 38 penalty minutes in 58 games. He made his NHL debut with Carolina at Pittsburgh on January 7, 1999 and spent the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 seasons with Cincinnati of the International Hockey League. He tallied 32-52-84 and 180 penalty minutes in 160 career games for the Cyclones.

MacKenzie, 27, scored two goals and had eight penalty minutes in 17 games with the Blue Jackets last season, including his first career NHL goal against Tampa Bay on March 9. He added 25-24-49, 46 penalty minutes and had a plus/minus rating of +6 in 62 games with the Syracuse Crunch, Columbus' AHL affiliate, setting career highs in goals, assists and points. He tied for the club lead in goals and was fourth in points, while ranking fourth in the AHL in shorthanded goals (four). In 13 Calder Cup playoff games, he collected 6-8-14 and 22 penalty minutes to lead the club in goals and points.

Prior to joining the Blue Jackets organization last year, he spent the previous six campaigns as a member of the Atlanta Thrashers organization. In 2006-07, he was scoreless in four games with the Thrashers and tallied 14-23-37 with 62 penalty minutes and a +14 plus/minus rating in 52 games with the Chicago Wolves, the club's AHL affiliate.

Atlanta's sixth pick, 128th overall, in the 1999 Entry Draft, he has registered 2-2-4 and 28 penalty minutes in 45 career NHL games. He made his NHL debut with the Thrashers against the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Apr. 12, 2002. He has also tallied 83-101-184 and 441 penalty minutes with a cumulative plus/minus rating of +38 in 377 career AHL games with the Crunch and Chicago Wolves.

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Panthers Sign Steve MacIntyre, Three Others

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Jacques Martin announced today that the club has agreed to terms with D Rory Fitzpatrick, F Steve MacIntyre and G Chris Beckford-Tseu on two year contracts. In addition the Panthers signed D James DeLory to a three-year entry level contract.

“We are very pleased to have signed these four players who add further depth to our organization,” said Martin. “Rory is an experienced player who will be given the opportunity to make our club in training camp and who will also serve as a great veteran presence for our young players in Rochester. Both Steve and James are big, strong, hard hitting players who add a physical dimension to our roster. Chris has been a consistent and dependable goaltender within the St. Louis Blues organization over the last three years and we look forward to his continued development and contributions to our club. ”

Fitzpatrick, 33, has played in 287 National Hockey League contests with Montreal (1996-97), St. Louis (1996-97), Nashville (2000-01), Buffalo (2001-06), Vancouver (2006-07) and Philadelphia (2007-08) registering 35 points (10-25-35) and 201 PIM. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defenseman has also played in 20 NHL playoff games scoring one goal with five assists and 22 PIM.

The Rochester, NY native split time last season playing for both the Philadelphia Flyers and the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL). Fitzpatrick’s American Hockey League playing experience includes 121 games played with the Rochester Americans from 2001 to 2005. He was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with their 2nd choice, 47th overall, in 1993 NHL Entry Draft.

Beckford-Tseu, 24, made his NHL debut, as a member of the St. Louis Blues, on Feb. 21, 2008 at Los Angeles in a relief effort and turned away eight of nine shots in 27 minutes played. Beckford-Tseu played in 34 games last season for Peoria (AHL) going 15-14-2 with a 2.63 GAA and a .889 save percentage. He also appeared in 16 games with Alaska (ECHL) posting a 12-4-0 record with a 2.34 GAA and a .923 save percentage.

The 6-foot-3, 201-pound goaltender backstopped Alaska (ECHL) to the 2006 Kelly Cup Championship. He appeared in 12 games during the Kelly Cup playoffs going 8-4 with a 2.04 GAA, three shutouts and a .930 save percentage. Beckford-Tseu was originally drafted by the Blues in the 5th round (159th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

MacIntyre, 27, played in 62 games for the Providence Bruins (AHL) last season scoring two goals with three assists and led the Bruins and was 13th in the AHL with 213 PIM.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pound forward was signed as a free agent by NY Rangers on Aug. 15, 2005. He then signed as a free agent with Quad City (ECHL) on Aug. 24, 2006. In 92 career AHL games with Hartford and Providence, MacIntyre has three goals and four assists with 420 PIM.

DeLory, 19, spent the last three seasons playing for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. In 61 games played last season, DeLory scored 25 points (4-21-25) with 167 PIM. In three years with the Generals he has 62 points (11-51-62) in 189 games played with 385 PIM.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound defensemen was originally drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the 4th round (98th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

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Preds sign Joel Ward

Former Houston Aero to I'm guessing Milwaukee

Source

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Hurricanes Sign Patrick Dwyer, Joe Jensen & Mark Flood

RALEIGH, NC—Ron Francis, Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Development for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that the team has agreed to terms on one-year contracts with forwards Patrick Dwyer and Joe Jensen, as well as defenseman Mark Flood.

“Patrick, Joe and Mark give our organization good depth at their respective positions,” said Francis. “We are pleased to have these players returning to provide experience and leadership in the Hurricanes system.”

Dwyer, 25, completed his third full professional season in 2007-08, skating in 59 regular-season games with Carolina’s top minor-league affiliate, the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League. The Spokane, WA, native scored 13 goals and earned 12 assists (25 points) last season to rank seventh in scoring among River Rats skaters. The Atlanta Thrashers originally drafted Dwyer (5’11”, 175 lbs.) in the fourth round, 116th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He signed with the Hurricanes as a free agent in July 2006, and will earn $500,000 at the NHL level, and $55,000 at the minor-league level with his new contract.

Flood, 23, finished 2007-08 ranked second in scoring among Albany defensemen with 22 points (10g, 12a), despite playing in just 53 of the team’s 80 regular-season games. The Charlottetown, PEI, native’s new contract will pay him $500,000 at the NHL level, and $60,000 at the minor-league level. Flood (6’1”, 190 lbs.) was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the sixth round, 188th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, and was acquired by Carolina from Columbus in November 2006 in exchange for defenseman Derrick Walser.

Jensen, 25, made his NHL debut on Feb. 18, 2008, at New Jersey, and scored one goal in six games with the Hurricanes last season. Carolina acquired the Plymouth, MN, native from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 31, 2008, in exchange for forward David Gove. Jensen (5’11”, 180 lbs.) scored 10 goals and earned five assists (15 points) in 51 AHL regular-season games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Albany, scoring eight of his goals after joining the River Rats. He was drafted by the Penguins in the eighth round, 232nd overall, in 2004. Jensen’s new contract will pay him $522,500 at the NHL level, and $50,000 at the minor-league level.

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stars extend tippett's contract

The Stars announced on Monday that the club has signed Head Coach Dave Tippett to a two-year contract extension through the 2010-11 season. Tippett was signed to a one-year contract extension through the 2008-09 season in December.

Recently finishing his sixth year with the club, Tippett has a cumulative record of 235-127-48, the best record of any active coach in the NHL. He has guided the Stars to the playoffs in every season at the helm. He was named as the 19th head coach in Stars franchise history on May 21, 2002.
Source

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More to come!
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This just in!

Leafs Acquire Ryan Hollweg

Cliff Fletcher, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Monday that the team has obtained left-winger Ryan Hollweg from the New York Rangers. In exchange, the Rangers will receive Pittsburgh’s fifth-round pick in 2009 which was previously acquired by Toronto in the Hal Gill trade on February 26, 2008.

Hollweg, 25, scored two goals and added two assists to go along with 96 penalty minutes (third on the team) in 70 games for the Rangers in 2007-08. He dressed for eight of New York’s 10 playoff games in 2008. Hollweg was an integral member of the 2003-04 Medicine Hat Tigers as they captured the Western Hockey League Championship and advanced to the Memorial Cup.

The native of Downey, California was originally the Rangers’ eighth round choice, 238th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

I'm mad that Lecavalier signed with the Lightning for so long because I really wanted him to go to Montreal after his contract was over. I thought he wanted to play for Montreal before his career was set and done. I guess I was wrong and he will most likely be spending the rest of his career in Tampa Bay.

and I wanted him In Columbus or San Jose to! But in all honesty it doesnt surprise me. I recall reading Phil Esposito's book, he mentioned how he watched Vinny play in the minors and he knew right away that Lecavelier would lead his franchise to great things.

With all the changes they've made regarding their "Big 3" its no surprise that He landed such a huge deal.

Now I've got my eyes set on Martin St. Louis! did you know he was never drafted?

Yeah, which is surprising, he signed with the Flames as an undrafted free agent.

I personally believe that Lecavalier is the best NHL player today, he does everything on the ice and he's so entertaining to watch. Especially when he's playing for something important like the playoffs.

I think the players that sign these huge deals are dooming the once glory filled day known as July 1st. Really if everybody takes up this fad then that day will become more boring then opening night for the Leafs.

But in all seriousness , Jeff Finger? Seriously. Im never letting that go.

He is definitely the key runner in that position for me also. I recall when he first started playing he was a tall lanky kid with a nack for scoring. Now since he's aged a bit he's really filled out and now has a nack for running through you and scoring.

If you know me you know this was coming: Ive also had a respect for him because he's not afraid to drop the gloves. I LOVED watching Iginla and Vinny go at it, I've seen Lecavalier turn around and drop guys who are pestering him.

There is a huge case to be made about Vinny Lecavalier being the best player in the league right now....thing is I dont think it'd be that hard to prove!

Cheers to players like him!
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Heres the update so far for today:

Rangers sign defenseman Denisov

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has signed defenseman Vladimir Denisov to an NHL Entry Level contract.

Denisov, 24, skated in 66 games with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL) this past season, registering two goals and six assists for eight points, along with 111 penalty minutes. He ranked fifth among Lake Erie defensemen in points (eight) and third on the team overall in penalty minutes (111). He notched his first professional goal on December 26 vs. Grand Rapids.

The Novopolotzk, Belarus, native also appeared in five games with the Johnstown Chiefs of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) this past season, collecting two assists and 26 penalty minutes.

The 5-11, 207-pounder skated in 39 contests with Lada Togliatti of the Russian Super League (RSL) during the 2006-07 season, registering three assists and 76 penalty minutes. He ranked third on the club in penalty minutes (76). In addition, Denisov appeared in three matches with Togliatti in the 2007 playoffs.

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Canucks sign Rob Davison

As reported on Team 1040

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Blues Ink Paddock and Regier

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced today the club has signed free agent forwards Cam Paddock and Steve Regier.

Paddock, 25, played in 78 games last season with the American Hockey League’s (AHL) San Antonio Rampage, registering 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists), along with 107 penalty minutes.

The North Vancouver, British Columbia native was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round, 185th overall in the 2002 Entry Draft.

Regier, 23, played in 65 games for the Bridgeport Tigers (AHL) last season, recording 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) and 60 penalty minutes. He has played in 18 NHL games all with the New York Islanders, notching 18 penalty minutes.

The Edmonton, Alberta native was originally drafted by the Islanders in the fifth round, 148th overall in the 2004 Entry Draft.

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Avalanche Sign McLeod, Six Others

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that it has re-signed forward Cody McLeod to a one-year contract, and also agreed to terms with forwards Philippe Dupuis and Nathan Smith, defensemen Darcy Campbell and Aaron MacKenzie, and goaltenders Jason Bacashihua and Tyler Weiman.

McLeod, 24, made his NHL debut last season, dressing in each of the final 49 regular-season games for the Avalanche after being recalled from Lake Erie (AHL) on Dec. 16. The Binscarth, Manitoba, native recorded nine points (4g/5a) and finished second on the Avs with 120 penalty minutes. He became the first rookie in Avalanche history to surpass 100 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound winger went on to appear in all 10 playoff games for Colorado, tallying a goal and one assist.

“Cody brings toughness and energy to our organization,” said Avalanche Executive Vice President & General Manager Francois Giguere. “He was an important role player for our team last season and we are looking for him to do the same this year.”

Weiman, 24, began the 2007-08 season with the Avalanche, appearing in one NHL game before being reassigned to Lake Erie (AHL) on Oct. 8. He spent the rest of the year with the Monsters, compiling a 9-19-1 record with two shutouts in 31 games. Bacashihua, who was acquired by Colorado from St. Louis on Nov. 8, 2007, appeared in four games for the Peoria Rivermen and 19 with the Lake Erie Monsters. The 25-year old had a combined record of 6-14-2.

Dupuis and Campbell were both acquired from Columbus on Jan. 22, 2008 and spent the rest of the 2007-08 season with the Lake Erie Monsters. Dupuis, 23, recorded 19 points (12g/7a) in 46 combined games between Lake Erie and Syracuse. The 24-year-old Campbell notched seven points (2g/5a) in 36 combined games between the Monsters and Syracuse Crunch.

Smith, 26, played 13 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season after being recalled on Jan. 28. He spent most of the year with the Wilkes-Barre Penguins (AHL), where he finished third on the team in scoring with 50 points (22g/28a) in 68 games. Selected by Vancouver in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Smith has appeared in 17 career NHL games and also four Stanley Cup playoff contests.

MacKenzie played four seasons at the University of Denver from 1999-2003. The 27-year old has spent the past three years with the Peoria Rivermen (AHL) after signing with St. Louis as a free agent on June 29, 2004. A native of Terrace Bay, Ontario, MacKenzie collected five points (0g/5a) in 55 games for Peoria last season

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Always more to come!