Quick Hits: Spooner, Nichushkin To Be Bought Out, Maple Leafs Hire Hakstol, Signing and Injured Prospects
The Vancouver Canucks put Ryan Spooner on waivers for the purpose of being bought out
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Buyout period ends tomorrow

Chris Johnston: “The NHL’s first buyout period closes tomorrow at 5 p.m. ET. Players can still be placed on unconditional waivers at noon tomorrow and have their contracts bought out.”

Chris Johnston: Ryan Spooner and Valeri Nichushkin were put on unconditional waivers for the purpose of being bought out.

Spooner, Nichushkin to be bought out

Rick Dhaliwal: Roberto Luongo’s cap recapture penalty and the lower than expected salary cap lead to the decision to buy out Ryan Spooner’s contract.

Josh Clark: Nichushkin’s buyout will only cost the Stars $700,000. He would have had a $2.95 million salary cap hit, a $2.25 million savings.

Maple Leafs bring in an assistant coach and officially sign two players

John Shannon: The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former Philadelphia Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol to be Mike Babcock’s assistant.

Leafs PR: The Maple Leafs signed both goaltender Michael Hutchinson and defenseman Martin Marincin to a one-year deal at $700,000.

Blackhawks sign two players

Mark Lazerus: The Chicago Blackhawks have signed Dylan Sikura to a two-year contract with an AAV of $750,000. The first-year of the deal is two-way, the second year is a one-way.

Blackhawks have signed John Quenneville to a two-year contract with an AAV of $750,000. The first-year of the deal is two-way, the second year is a one-way.

Ducks lock up a forward

Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks have signed forward Sam Carrick to a one-year deal.

Red Wings prospect injured

Helene St. James: Detroit Red Wings prospect Robert Mastrosimone will be out for four to six weeks after breaking his right ankle blocking a shot.

Sabres first-round pick injured