Recent NHL Transactions

The Lightning bring back an old face…again. A series of largely unreported signings were made yesterday. Where are Alexeev and Arkhipov going? As well as some news about Randy Carlyle.


Lightning Strikes Thrice

The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired center Chris Gratton from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a second round pick in 2007 or 2008 (Florida’s option).

Gratton, Tampa Bay’s first pick, third overall in 1993, will join the Lightning for the third time in his career.

“Chris Gratton is the ideal third line center for our hockey team,” Lightning GM Jay Feaster said. “We have been pursuing Chris for some time now, and I honestly thought we were going to be able to get a deal done to acquire him at the trade deadline this past season.”

The six-foot-four, 221-pound forward netted 13 goals and 35 points last season for Florida, while leading the Panthers in faceoff percentage.


Panthers Go All-In on Allen

As previously reported on Faceoff Factor, the Florida Panthers have re-signed defenseman Bryan Allen to a five-year contract extension.

The deal is worth $14.5 million over the five seasons (cap hit: $2.9 million/year).

The defensive-minded defenseman did set career highs in assists (21) and points (25) last season.

“Bryan proved to be one of our top four defenseman last year and he will continue to play a vital role in our team’s future success,” said Panthers GM and coach Jacques Martin in a release.


Sitting Duck, Reigning Champ

The Anaheim Ducks have extended the contract of their head coach Randy Carlyle until 2008-09.

“Randy has been the perfect fit for this organization with hard-working, aggressive style,” said Ducks GM Brian Burke in a release.

Carlyle, 51, led the Ducks to a Stanley Cup championship this season, a fitting ending to a season that saw the Ducks break most of their major statistical franchise records.


Defenseman Boumedienne Rejoins Capitals

The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Josef Boumedienne to a one-year, $500,000 contract.

The 29-year-old Swedish defenseman signed a one-way deal with Washington. In prior seasons, Boumedienne was offered a two-way contract (saving the club money by greatly reducing the salary of a player when he is sent to the minors) which he rejected. Instead, the Stockholm-native spent the past three seasons in the top leagues of Sweden, Finland and Switzerland playing for four different teams in all.

“The hope is that [Boumedienne] can help us,” Capitals GM George McPhee said. “But if not, it doesn’t hurt us too much,” McPhee re-assures.


Thirty Seconds to Lars

The Philadelphia Flyers re-signed smooth-skating defenseman Lars Jonsson to a one-year two-way contract worth $600,000.

“He told us he wanted to come back,” Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. “We challenged him. He has to show us something more to be in the NHL…he needs to take that next step.”

The Flyers have also re-signed gritty forward Riley Cote to a two-way deal worth $500,000. Both players are expected to start the year with the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL).


Devils Sign a Pair

The New Jersey Devils have signed Karpat Oulu (SM-liiga [Fin]) center Jari Viuhkola, first round pick defenseman Matthew Corrente.

Viuhkola, 27, has spent the past seven seasons in the Finnish Elite League. He notched 38 assists and 45 points in 37 games last season.

Corrente, 19, was the last pick of the first round in 2006. He spent last season with Saginaw (OHL) and Mississauga (OHL) scoring three goals plus 23 assists in 43 games.

Terms of the deals were not yet released.


Avalanche Re-Sign Two

Role player Scott Parker and young defenseman Johnny Boychuk have been re-signed by Colorado.

Parker, 29, was acquired at the deadline from San Jose last season. He has signed a one-year, $475,000 contract.

Boychuk, 23, is the Avs second round choice in 2002 and spent last season with Albany (AHL). He received a one-year, two-way deal worth $475,000.


Blackhawks Lose Two

Former Blackhawks center Denis Arkhipov, who was not expected to be re-signed by Chcago anyway, signed with Ak Bars Kazan of the Russian Super League.

Deadline acquisition and former eighth overall draft pick Nikita Alexeev will also not be brought back after he signed to play in Russia for the upcoming season.

“We took a shot, but he just didn’t do anything for us,” remarked Dave Tallon, Blackhawks GM. “We weren’t happy with the way he played. We expected a lot more.”