Blackhawks sign Crawford … Werek and Etem sign entry level deals … Button has trade ideas for Capitals … Panthers want to bring Vokoun back

Mark Easson

13 years ago

Elliott Pap of hte Vancouver Sun: Canucks winger Mikael Samuelsson will be out for the remainder of the season after adductor tendon and sports hernia surgery.

Chicago Breaking Sports: The Blackhawks have signed Corey Crawford to a 3 year deal worth $8 million, a $2.6 million cap hit. “It means a lot,” Crawford said. “I want to be a part of the Blackhawks and I think the management and everyone there wanted me back too. It’s great to get it done early. Now I can just focus on workouts and getting prepared for next season.”

Arizona Republic: The Coyotes have signed recently acquired prospect Ethan Werek to an entry level deal. Werek scored 24 goals and added 28 assists in 47 games with Kington of the OHL. He was acquired earlier this month from the Rangers for Oscar Linberg.

Eric Stephens of hte OC Register: The Ducks have signed 2010 1st round (29th overall) draft pick Emerson Etem to an entry level deal. His NHL deal is for $900,000 with $90,000 in bonuses, $67,500 AHL salary. Etem scored 45 goals with 35 assists in 65 games with Medicine Hat of the WHL.

Craig Button of ESPN: Button offers some trade options for the Capitals this off-season. They have 3 capable goalies in Michal Neuvirth, Semyon Varlamov and Braden Holtby. The Flyers could be one option, and have rugged winger Scott Hartnell. Could expand the deal to include Jeff Schultz and Braydon Coburn. Button thinks the Caps should target Valtteri Filppula and could offer up Mike Green. Jonathan Ericsson could also be a target of Washington. Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr would also look good in a Caps uniform. If the Caps offered up prospect Cody Eakin, it might open up discussions for Rene Bourque or David Moss. Button offers up a blockbuster proposal: one of Washington’s three goalies, Mike Green, and Alexander Semin to Anaheim for Francois Beauchemin and Bobby Ryan.

The Fourth Period: The Panthers are very interested in bringing goalie Tomas Vokoun back next season. The 35 year old had a cap hit of $5.7 million last year.

Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: With Corey Crawford locked up, the Blackhawks will now focus on Michael Frolik and Chris Campoli. They will also have decide what they are going to do with RFAs Viktor Stalberg, Troy Brouwer and Jake Dowell.

Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: The Minnesota Wild have received permission for the Blue Jakets to speak with Ken Hitchcock. GM Chuck Fletcher has apparently interviewed Michel Therrien and Craig MacTavish already. Sources say Fletcher has talked to Kirk Muller, but he has not been ‘interviewed.’

Katie Strang of the Newsday: Evgeni Nabokov plans on reporting to the Islanders training this fall. (If he’s not traded before)