- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The St. Louis Blues have re-signed Patrik Berglund to a 2 year deal worth $4.5 million. This past season Berglund scored 22 goals and added 30 assists for 52 points.
“I believe, coming out of that first contract, the shorter-term deals are both beneficial to the team and the player,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said Tuesday. “I think what this does, it allows Patrik to define himself as a player. He’ll have five years of NHL experience when this deal is done and he’ll be entering that next phase of his career. I think the two-year deal really helps solidify his position not only on our team but in the league.”
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed defenseman Hal Gill to a 1 year contract worth $2.25 million. Gill will continue to mentor PK Subban. The Canadiens are expected to re-sign Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges. They likely don’t have the cap space to bring James Wisniewski and Roman Hamrlik. Brent Sopel, Paul Mara and Alexandre Picard are likely not to return.
- Chicago Sun-Times: The Chicago Blackhawks have signed Swedish goalie Alexander Salak to a 2 year contract. They have also signed Byron Froese and David Gilbert to 3 year deals. Froese was a 2009 4th round pick, and recorded 43 goals last year with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL. Gilbert was a 2009 7th round pick.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Anaheim Ducks have signed Finnish prospect Sami Vatanen to an entry level deal. Vatanen is expected to remain in Finland for at least 1 more season. 2009 6th round pick Scott Valentine rejected the Ducks final offer and could head back into the draft if he doesn’t change his mind on the contract.
