Thrashers sign F Ladd for 1 year, $2.35M
(Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:50:24 PDT)
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.

Arbitrator to rule on Niemi on Saturday
(Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:23:33 PDT)
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.

Sharks sign D Demers to 2-year contract
(Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:51:29 PDT)
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.

Senators re-sign F Regin for 2 years
(Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:40:21 PDT)
The Senators have signed forward Peter Regin to a two-year contract. Ottawa announced the deal on Thursday. Regin had 13 goals, 16 assists, and 20 penalty minutes in 75 games with the Senators last season. He added three goals in six playoff games. The Senators selected Regin with the 87th overall pick of the 2004 draft.

Kings D Greene has shoulder surgery
(Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:30:37 PDT)
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene will be out for about three months after having surgery on his left shoulder. Kings spokesman Mike Kalinowski said Thursday that Greene recently had surgery to fix several minor problems in his shoulder. Greene's recovery likely will keep him out of uniform through the start of the regular season Oct.

Thrashers, F Eager avoid arbitration
(Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:11:19 PDT)
The Thrashers and recently acquired forward Ben Eager have agreed to terms on new deal, avoiding arbitration. Terms of the contract weren't announced Wednesday night. The 26-year-old restricted free agent played in 60 games last season with the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. He had seven goals, nine assists and a team-leading 120 penalty minutes, and then added a goal and two assists...

Ducks sign 1st-round pick Fowler
(Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:08:14 PDT)
The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenseman Cam Fowler to a three-year contract, likely putting the first-round draft pick on a fast track to the NHL. The Ducks announced the deal Wednesday. Anaheim drafted Fowler with the 12th overall selection last month after the projected top-five pick unexpectedly fell several spots.

Devils, D Fraser agree on 1 year, $500K
(Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:39:18 PDT)
Defenseman Mark Fraser has agreed to a one-year, $500,000 contract with the New Jersey Devils. The deal will allow the sides to avoid a salary arbitration hearing set for later this week. Fraser played in 61 games last season, his first full season in the NHL. The 23-year-old had three goals and three assists.

Capitals acquire Blues enforcer King
(Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:51:14 PDT)
The Washington Capitals have acquired enforcer D.J. King from the St. Louis Blues for prospect Stefan Della Rovere. The deal was announced Wednesday. King, a left winger, has spent four seasons with the Blues but has played in only 13 games over the last two seasons because of injuries. He dislocated his shoulder in the 2008-09 opener, and managed only 12 games last season due to a broken finger.

Jackets, D Stralman avoid arbitration
(Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:06:20 PDT)
The Columbus Blue Jackets and defenseman Anton Stralman have agreed on a one-year contract, just minutes before they were to go to arbitration on Wednesday morning. General manager Scott Howson announced the re-signing. Stralman, who turns 24 on Sunday, had six goals and 28 assists with 37 penalty minutes in 73 games with the Blue Jackets last season, leading club defensemen in assists and points...