Islanders F Jones agrees to one-year, two-way deal

The New York Islanders and forward Connor Jones on Thursday agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract.

Jones, 26, made his NHL debut with the Islanders in 2016-17, appearing in four of the final five games of the season. He also played 58 games with the Islanders' American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, recording 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) and 89 penalty minutes.

A native of Trail, British Columbia, Jones has collected 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) in 155 career AHL games with the Sound Tigers and Oklahoma City Barons. He also scored 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 27 games with the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL during his first professional season in 2014-15.

Jones spent four seasons at Quinnipiac University, recording 129 points (49 goals, 80 assists) and 151 penalty minutes in 153 games with the Bobcats. He served as an alternate captain during his junior and senior seasons.

Canadiens part ways with D Markov

The Montreal Canadiens will not re-sign 16-year veteran defenseman Andrei Markov, the team announced Thursday.

Markov's 119 goals are third-best among Canadiens defensemen. The 38-year-old Russian also recorded 453 assists in 990 career NHL games, with his point total (572) tied with Guy Lapointe for second among franchise defensemen.

"On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Andrei for his great contributions during his 16 seasons as a proud member of the Montreal Canadiens," Canadiens president Geoff Molson said.

"Arguably one of the best defensemen in franchise history, Andrei was a model of dedication to the great game of hockey. A respected figure around the league and among his teammates, Andrei demonstrated leadership both on and off the ice. Andrei's commitment to our franchise was second to none, proven by his overcoming three serious and potentially career-ending injuries. I would like to wish Andrei the best of luck in the next step of his career, and happiness with his family."

Markov collected six goals and 30 assists in 62 games last season, which concluded his three-year, $17.25 million contract. The two-time All-Star is reportedly seeking a two-year, $12 million deal.

The Canadiens signed Karl Alzner to a five-year contract on July 1 and also inked fellow defenseman Mark Streit to a one-year deal on Tuesday.

Red Wings ink Tatar to 4-year pact

Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar signed a four-year contract on Friday, the team announced.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the club, however multiple outlets reported that the deal was for $21.2 million.

The contract comes after the two sides were unable to work out an agreement and had to go to arbitration.

Tatar recorded a team-best 25 goals to go along with 21 assists while playing in all 82 games last season. The campaign was the final one in Tatar's three-year, $2.7 million deal.

The 26-year-old Slovak has collected 99 goals, 95 assists and 112 penalty minutes in 345 career contests since being selected in the second round of the 2009 NHL draft.

Senators F Dzingel agrees to two-year contract

The Ottawa Senators and forward Ryan Dzingel agreed to a two-year contract on Friday with an average annual value of $1.8 million.

Dzingel, who was a restricted free agent, avoided a salary arbitration hearing in Toronto on Friday morning. He will be paid $1.5 million this season and $2.1 million in 2018-19.

Dzingel, 25, recorded 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists) in 81 games with the Senators in 2016-17, his first full NHL season. He also had two goals and one assist in 15 games during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

"First of all, we're really happy," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion told the team's website. "Ryan has shown through the course of his first full season with us that he was an important member of our team. Getting this done on a two-year contract brings security. He probably feels that he gave up money if he produces at the same level on the second year and we probably got a bargain on the first year.

"If we went to arbitration, we were afraid the ruling would be closer to their number than our number. Now we get a happy player that will produce for us for the next two years and someone who has shown with his speed, talent and hopefully he can convert on a few more breakaways that we'll have a pretty special player."

A seventh-round pick in the 2011 NHL draft, Dzingel owns 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 111 NHL games, all with the Senators.

Predators promote McCarthy to associate head coach

The Nashville Predators promoted Kevin McCarthy to associate head coach on Peter Laviolette's staff.

In addition, the Predators announced Friday the team hired Dan Muse as an assistant coach.

McCarthy joined the Predators prior to the 2014-15 season and alongside Laviolette helped Nashville make its first run to the Stanley Cup Final in franchise history in 2017 before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins last month.

In addition his time with the Predators, McCarthy has served as an assistant coach under Laviolette with Philadelphia and Carolina, winning a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006 and reaching the Stanley Cup Final with the Flyers in 2010.

"I'm extremely grateful and thankful for the opportunity to serve as associate head coach," McCarthy said in a statement. "I'm looking forward to working with the team and our coaching staff as we continue to pursue the ultimate goal of the Stanley Cup."

The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native spent a total of 16 seasons in the Hartford Whalers/Carolina organization from 1992-2009.

"Kevin is one of the most experienced coaches in the National Hockey League, and given his wealth of knowledge and insight, is was only fitting to elevate him to the title of associate head coach," Laviolette said. "I have the utmost confidence in Kevin's ability to positively contribute to any and all situations, and am fortunate to work with him on a day-to-day basis."

Muse, 35, joins the Predators organization just two months after winning the Clark Cup as head coach of the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, a position he held for the past two seasons. Prior to his arrival in Chicago, Muse served as an assistant coach at Yale from 2009 to 2013 before being promoted to the title of associate head coach at the university from 2013 to 2015.

Muse saw plenty of success at Yale, including winning an NCAA national championship with the Bulldogs in 2013.

"Dan is an up-and-coming coach that has proven to be a winner at multiple levels," Predators general manager David Poile said. "He has a successful track record working with young players and we welcome his fresh perspective in the 2017-18 season and beyond."

Muse also served as video coordinator for the United States National Junior Team in 2013 and 2014, winning a Gold Medal at the 2013 World Junior Championship. He has also been behind the bench as an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University, Williams College and Milton Academy.

"Dan comes to us as a successful young coach that brings great energy and passion to the game," Laviolette said. "He has worked his way up through the coaching ranks, first winning an NCAA title at Yale in 2013, and then taking a Chicago team that had missed the playoffs eight straight seasons and turned them into the Clark Cup champions in just two seasons. We are excited to welcome him to the organization and look forward to his contributions to the coaching staff."

Muse called Nashville the "hottest hockey city out there."

"To get an opportunity to work in an organization like this, I couldn't be more excited," Muse said. "To see the success that the Predators have had, to see the excitement level in Nashville right now -- I think this is the hottest hockey city out there. I'm truly blessed to join this coaching staff and help the Predators work toward achieving their ultimate goal."

Blackhawks F Wingels to miss 6-to-8 weeks with fractured foot

Chicago Blackhawks forward Tommy Wingels sustained a left foot fracture during his offseason training and the recovery will take six to eight weeks, the team announced Friday.

Wingels, 29, signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks as free agency opened on July 1.

"Tommy Wingels sustained a left foot fracture during his offseason training. We anticipate a full recovery in six to eight weeks and in time for training camp. We do not anticipate any long-term issues," the Blackhawks' head team physician, Dr. Michael Terry, said in a statement.

Wingels recorded 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 73 games split between the San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators during the 2016-17 season. He also skated in nine playoff games with the Senators, who acquired him in a trade from San Jose in January.

Wingels, a native of Wilmette, Ill., set career highs with 16 goals, 22 assists and 38 points during the 2013-14 campaign with San Jose. He was drafted by the Sharks in the sixth round in 2008.

Rangers Agree to Terms with Free Agent Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with free agent goaltender Alexandar Georgiev.

Georgiev, 21, appeared in 27 games with TPS Turku of Liiga in Finland this past season, posting a 13-8-4 record, along with a 1.70 GAA, a .923 SV%, and two shutouts. He established Liiga career-bests in appearances, wins, GAA, and SV%, and tied his career-high in shutouts in 2016-17. Georgiev led Liiga in GAA, tied for fifth in the league in SV%, and tied for ninth in the league in wins during the past season. He allowed two goals or fewer in 22 of his 27 appearances in 2016-17. In addition, Georgiev appeared in one playoff game and in two games as part of the Champions Hockey League (CHL) with TPS Turku during the past season. Georgiev participated in the Rangers' annual prospect development camp this past June.

The 6-1, 180-pounder appeared in 51 career games in Liiga over parts of three seasons (2014-15 - 2016-17), all with TPS, posting an 18-19-6 record, along with a 1.93 GAA, a .912 SV%, and five shutouts. Georgiev posted a 2.28 GAA or better in each of his three seasons in Liiga. Georgiev helped TPS' junior team win its league championship in 2014-15, as he registered a 2.25 GAA and a .920 SV% in 25 regular season appearances, as well as a 2.60 GAA and a .909 SV% in 12 playoff appearances.

The Moscow, Russia, native has also represented his country in several tournaments. Georgiev helped Russia earn a silver medal at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, as he posted a 3-1 record, along with a 2.52 GAA in five appearances during the tournament.