Sabres sign Karabacek to entry-level deal

Sabers Press Release.

The Buffalo Sabres today announced the team has signed forward Vaclav Karabacek to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Karabacek (6’0”, 199 lbs., 5/2/1996) tallied 30 points (18+12) and 56 penalty minutes in 47 regular-season games with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL this season. He also added nine points (6+3) and 14 penalty minutes in 17 playoff games for the Wildcats.

Originally drafted by the Sabres in the second round (49th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, Karabacek recorded 117 points (56+61) in 171 career QMJHL games. The Brandys nad Labem, Czech Republic native also chipped in 32 points (16+16) in 38 career playoff games.

Florida Panthers Re-Sign Forward Shane Harper

Statement from the Panthers website.

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers Executive Vice President and General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the Panthers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with forward Shane Harper.

The 27-year old Harper recorded 37 points (12-25-37) in 59 games with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League this season and recorded two goals in five postseason games with Portland. The 5-foot-11, 193-pound native of Valencia, Calif., has played in 340 career AHL games with Adirondack (2009-13), Chicago (2013-15) and Portland, recording 161 points (77-84-161).

Harper originally signed with the Panthers as a free agent on July 1, 2015.

Blackhawks agree to terms with Forsling

Statement from the Blackhawks website.

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have agreed to terms with defenseman Gustav Forsling on a three-year contract.

Forsling, 19, registered 21 points (6G, 15A) through 48 games with the Swedish Hockey League’s Linkoping HC. The Linkoping, Sweden, native added three points (1G, 2A) in six postseason games. Drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round (126th overall) of the 2014 National Hockey League Draft, Forsling has collected 27 points (9G, 18A) in 86 career games with Linkoping HC across two seasons (2014-16).

He collected three points (2G, 1A) in six games with Team Sweden at the 2016 World Junior Championship; he led tournament defensemen with eight points (3G, 5A) in seven contests as a member of Team Sweden during the 2015 World Junior Championship and was named a tournament All-Star.

He was acquired by Chicago on Jan. 29, 2015, from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defenseman Adam Clendening.

Blues agree to terms with goaltender Ville Husso

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

ST. LOUIS, MO - The St. Louis Blues on Tuesday agreed to terms on a three-year entry level contract with goaltender Ville Husso.

Husso has spent the past three seasons with HIFK Helsinki in Finland’s top league. He posted a .927 save percentage in 39 games this past season.

Husso was drafted by the Blues in the fourth round (94th overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft.

Florida Panthers Re-Sign Defenseman Erik Gudbranson

Statement from the Panthers website.

Erik Gudbranson

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers Executive Vice President and General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the Panthers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with defenseman Erik Gudbranson. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“We are very pleased to have signed Erik,” Tallon said. “He is an important part of our young core who has continued to develop into a reliable, physical presence on our blue line and a strong leader in our locker room.”

The 24-year old Gudbranson recorded nine points (2-7-9) in 64 games with Florida this season and played in all six 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Panthers. The 6-foot-5, 216-pound native of Ottawa, Ontario has played in 309 NHL games all with Florida, recording 43 points (11-32-43) and 346 penalty minutes.

“I’m very excited for another year with the Panthers,” Gudbranson said. “We took great strides last season as a team and our group can only improve upon the success we had. It’s a great time for the organization and I look forward to getting back on the ice with the team.”

Gudbranson was originally selected by Florida in the first round (third overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.

Minnesota Wild Agrees To Terms With Bruce Boudreau

Statement from the Wild website.

Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the Wild has agreed to terms with Bruce Boudreau (boo-DROH) to become the team’s new Head Coach. He owns a record of 409-192-80 (.659) in nine seasons as an NHL head coach with the Anaheim Ducks and the Washington Capitals, leading his team to a division title eight times. Boudreau became the fastest coach in NHL history to reach the 400-win milestone (663 games) on March 5, 2016, and leads active NHL coaches in win percentage. He is 41-39 in eight trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and is the seventh head coach in NHL history to win 200-plus games with multiple teams.

Boudreau, 61 (1/9/55), was named Head Coach of the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 30, 2011, and compiled a record of 208-104-40 (.647) in 352 games in parts of five seasons (2011-16). The 2015-16 season marked the fourth straight Pacific Division title for the Ducks. Anaheim set franchise records for most wins (54), points (116) and goals (266) in a season in 2013-14 and Boudreau was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award after guiding Anaheim to a 30-12-6 record in 2012-13.

He compiled a record of 201-88-40 (.672) in parts of five seasons (2007-11) as Head Coach of the Washington Capitals, winning the Southeast Division four times. Boudreau led his club to the 2010 Presidents’ Trophy as the club set team records for most points (121) and goals (313) in a season in 2009-10, and won the 2008 Jack Adams Award. He became the fastest coach in modern day NHL history to win 200 games on Nov. 11, 2011, and recorded more wins (184) in his first 300 NHL games than any NHL coach.

Boudreau was named interim head coach of the Capitals on Nov. 22, 2007. On that date, Washington was 30th in the NHL standings. He led the club to a 37-17-7 finish as the Capitals won the Southeast Division. Boudreau, whose interim tag was removed on Dec. 26, 2007, became the second head coach to win the Jack Adams Award after taking over a team midseason. In 2008-09, Boudreau led the Capitals to their first playoff series win since 1988.

Before joining the Capitals, he spent parts of nine seasons as a head coach in the American Hockey League (AHL), including two seasons with Lowell (1999-2001), four seasons with Manchester (2001-05) and parts of three seasons with Hershey (2005-08). He won the 2006 Calder Cup and advanced to the 2007 Calder Cup Final.

Boudreau began his coaching career in the Colonial Hockey League with Muskegon (1992-93) and won the Commissioners’ Trophy as the International Hockey League Coach of the Year in 1993-94 with Fort Wayne. He also served as head coach and director of hockey operations for Mississippi (ECHL), where he won the 1999 Kelly Cup championship.

Boudreau played parts of eight NHL seasons (1976-86) with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks recording 70 points (28-42=70) in 141 career games. The native of Toronto, Ont., was originally selected by the Maple Leafs in the third round of the 1975 NHL Entry Draft. He was also selected in the first round of the 1974 World Hockey Association Draft by the Minnesota Fighting Saints and skated in 30 games with the Fighting Saints in 1975-76. Boudreau tallied 165 points (68-97=165) in 69 games with the Toronto Marlboros in 1974-75, to win the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the leading scorer in the Ontario Hockey Association.

He ranks 12th all-time in AHL scoring with 799 points (316-483=799) in 634 games. No AHL player in the 1980s notched more points than Boudreau. In 1987-88, he won the John B. Sollenberger Trophy (led AHL in scoring) and the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award (sportsmanship and dedication to hockey), and was a member of the 1992 Calder Cup champion Adirondack Red Wings. Boudreau was inducted into the AHL Hall-of-Fame in 2009.

Rangers agree to terms with goaltender Antti Raanta

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Antti Raanta

New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton announced on Monday that the team has agreed to terms with goaltender Antti Raanta.

Raanta, 26, appeared in 25 games with the Rangers in 2015-16. He posted a 11-6-2 record with a 2.24 Goals-Against-Average, one shutout, and a .919 save percentage.

Raanta (6-0, 193-lbs) has appeared in 64 career NHL games over parts of three seasons with the Rangers and Chicago, posting a 31-15-7 record, along with a 2.35 Goals-Against-Average, four shutouts, and a .914 save percentage.


Raanta was acquired by the Rangers from Chicago in exchange for Ryan Haggerty on June 27, 2015.

Canadiens sign G Lindgren to two-year deal

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

The Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday signed goaltender Charlie Lindgren to a two-year deal.

To make room flr Lindgren in the roster, the team will place goaltender Ben Scrivens on waivers.

Rangers Agree to Terms With Forward Steven Fogarty

Statement from the Rangers website.

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Steven Fogarty on an entry-level contract.

Fogarty, 22, skated in 37 games with the University of Notre Dame this season, registering 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points, along with a plus-seven rating and 26 penalty minutes. Fogarty, who was serving as Notre Dame’s captain for the second consecutive season in 2015-16, established career-highs in goals, assists, and points this season. He tied for fifth on the team in goals and ranked sixth on the team in assists this season. Fogarty tallied a hat trick and recorded four points in Notre Dame’s regular season opener on Oct. 16 at Penn State.

The 6-3, 215-pounder skated in 150 career collegiate games over four seasons with the University of Notre Dame, registering 27 goals and 38 assists for 65 points, along with a plus-17 rating and 46 penalty minutes. Fogarty averaged 0.58 points per game over his final two seasons of collegiate hockey, registering 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) and posting a plus-15 rating in 76 games. Fogarty’s assists and points totals increased in each season from his freshman year through his senior year. He posted a plus/minus rating of plus-one or better in each of his four seasons with Notre Dame.

The Chambersburg, Pennsylvania native was selected by the Rangers in the third round, 72nd overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Rangers sign Boo Nieves

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

The New York Rangers on Monday signed forward Boo Nieves to a two-year, entry level contract.

Nieves was the Rangers' 59th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Flyers sign Michael Raffl to multi-year extension

Statement from the Flyers website.

Michael Raffl

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have signed 6-0, 200-lb forward Michael Raffl to a multi-year contract extension, according to general manager Ron Hextall.

Raffl, 27 (12/1/1988), is one of three Flyers to have appeared in all 61 games this season where he has recorded 17 points (8g-9a) while averaging 14:17 of time-on-ice per-game.

In his third NHL season, all of which he has spent with the Flyers, Raffl has posted 38 goals and 29 assists for 67 points in 196 games played. He owns a plus-minus rating of plus-13, while seven of his 38 goals and have been game-winning goals.

A native of Villach, Austria, Raffl originally signed as a free agent on May 31, 2013 and recorded 22 points (9g-13a) in 68 games as a rookie in 2013-14. He signed a multi-year extension on Mar. 22, 2014 and followed his rookie season up with a career-high 21 goals and 28 points in 2014-15.

Olli Maatta Signs Six-Year Contract Extension with Penguins

Statement from the Penguins website.

Olli Maatta

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Olli Maatta to a six-year contract extension, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Jim Rutherford.

The deal begins with the 2016-17 season and runs through the 2021-22 campaign, and has an average annual value of $4.083 million.

Maatta, 21, has six goals, 10 assists, 16 points and a plus-18 in 53 games. His plus-18 is third-highest among all NHL blueliners.

The 6-foot-2, 206-pound Maatta has been paired with Kris Letang for a majority of the season on the Penguins’ top defensive pairing. Since the two were united on Nov. 13, Maatta’s steady presence has allowed Letang to post the third-highest point total among all NHL defensemen.

A native of Jyvaskyla, Finland, Maatta broke into the NHL as a 19 year old in 2013-14, tallying nine goals, 20 assists and 29 points with a plus-eight in 78 games. Those totals earned Maatta the club’s rookie of the year award, as his nine goals were the second-highest total of any Penguins’ rookie defenseman (Zarley Zalapski; 12; 1988-89) in club history.

In February of 2013, Maatta played a starring role for Finland at the 2014 Olympics, tying for second on his team with three goals in six games as the Finns emerged with a bronze medal.

Maatta’s second season in ’14-15 was limited to just 20 games due to a cancerous tumor that was surgically removed, and a shoulder injury. Before he was sidelined, Maatta was playing arguably the best hockey of any Penguins’ defenseman that year, tallying nine points (1G-8A) as Pittsburgh began the season as one of the league’s top teams.

The Penguins chose Maatta in the first round (22nd overall) of the talent-filled 2012 NHL Draft held at CONSOL Energy Center. Of the 30 players chosen in the first round, 28 have already played at least one NHL game, including 12 of the 13 defensemen picked, with two of those defenders the Penguins’ Maatta and Derrick Pouliot (8th overall).

Maatta was the 10th blueliner selected in 2012, and as of Feb. 26 he ranks fifth in games played (151) and fourth in points with 54 (16G-38A) among the defenders chosen that year.

During his lone playoff run with the Penguins in ’13-14, Maatta contributed four assists and was plus-2 in 13 contests.

As a junior player with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights, Maatta helped his squad capture back-to-back OHL titles in ’12-13 and ’11-12. He earned OHL All-Rookie honors in ’11-12 and was one of the Knights’ alternate captains his second year.

Lightning sign Braydon Coburn to Three-Year Contract Extension

Statement from the Lightning's website.

Braydon Coburn

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed defenseman Braydon Coburn to a three-year contract extension today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.

Coburn, 30, has played in 60 games with the Lightning this season, recording one goal and nine points to go along with 45 penalty minutes. He ranks tied for fourth on the club for plus/minus with a plus-8 rating. Coburn ranks third on the club for both hits (90) and blocked shots (69). Since being acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade last season, Coburn has skated in 64 regular season games with the Lightning, posting a goal and 11 points.

The 6-foot-5, 226-pound defenseman skated in 26 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Lightning last season, notching a goal and four points. He netted the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the first round against the Detroit Red Wings. Coburn also appeared in all six Stanley Cup Final games for the Bolts. He ranked fourth on the Lightning for blocked shots (32) and penalty minutes (21) during the postseason.

The Shaunavon, Saskatchewan native has appeared in 678 career NHL games with the Bolts, Flyers and Atlanta Thrashers, posting 38 goals and 177 points to go along with 558 penalty minutes. He set career highs for goals (nine), assists (27) and points (36) during the 2007-08 season while with the Flyers. Coburn has also skated in 98 career postseason games, collecting three goals and 27 points.

Coburn has represented Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships on two different occasions, capturing the Silver Medal in 2009. He also represented Team Canada at the World Jr. Championships twice, winning a Gold Medal in 2005 and a Silver Medal in 2004.

Coburn was originally selected by the Thrashers in the first round, eighth overall, at the 2003 NHL Draft.

Reaves suspended; Senators resign Wideman

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Senators sign Chris Wideman: On Wednesday, the Ottawa Senators signed defenseman Chris Wideman to a two-year, one-way, $800,000 per year contract.

Blues forward Reaves suspended: St. Louis Blues forward Ryan Reaves was suspended on Wednesday by the NHL fr three games due to an incident during the Blues' game on Monday against the San Jose Sharks involving Reaves.

Predators resign Sissons; Islanders recall Pullock

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

On Monday, the Nashville Predators signed forward Colton Sissons to a three-year, $1.875 contract.

Also, the New York Islanders recalled forward Ruan Pullock from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League on Monday.

Capitals sign Taylor Chorney to two-year extension

The Washington Capitals signed defenceman Taylor Chorney to a $1.6 million, two-year contract extension on Friday.

Signed in the past off-season for his depth on the blue line, Chorney will count $800,000 against Washington’s salary cap in 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Chorney has 5 assists in 45 games played with the Capitals this season.

Jets sign Dustin Byfuglien to contract extension

Statement from the Winnipeg Jets website:

Dustin Byfuglien

"The Winnipeg Jets today announced they have signed defenceman Dustin Byfuglien to a five-year contract extension with an average annual value of $7.6 million.

Byfuglien, 30, has recorded 32 points (15G, 17A) so far this season while appearing in all 52 games and sits in a tie for second amongst all NHL defencemen with his 15 goals. Byfuglien leads the Jets so far this season in shots (163), penalty minutes (78) and ice time (24:14 per game). The native of Roseau, MN, was named to the 2016 NHL All-Star Game in Nashville, TN where he recorded a goal and an assist for the Central Division team. Byfuglien has been named to the All-Star Game in each of the last four seasons that the game has taken place (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016).

Byfuglien has been with the Jets’ organization for the past six seasons after being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks on June 24, 2010 with Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and Akim Aliu for Marty Reasoner, Jeremy Morin, Joey Crabb and first and second-round selections at the 2010 NHL Draft. Byfuglien has played 649 NHL games tallying 376 points (148G, 228A) and 755 penalty minutes. Byfuglien had a career-high 56 points (20G, 36A) with the Jets during the 2013-14 season and sits seventh on the franchise’s all-time scoring list with 267 points (93G, 174A). Byfuglien won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, including recording his first career playoff hat trick during the Western Conference Semifinals and registering a playoff career-high four point night (2G, 2A) in game five of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the eighth round, 245th overall in 2003, Byfuglien played his junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Prince George Cougars of the WHL."

Panthers sign Barkov to six-year contract extension

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Aleksander Barkov

The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms with center Aleksander Barkov to a six-year contract extension, the Panthers announced Tuesday.

Financial terms were not disclosed but the Miami Herald reported it's worth $35.4 million.

"We are thrilled to sign Sasha to a multiyear contract," general manager Dale Tallon said. "He is a highly-skilled, intelligent and dynamic young center that plays an exceptional game at both ends of the ice. Sasha is an important part of the foundation of our future and a cornerstone player who is continuing to develop into one of the league’s elite centers."