In what can only be called a shocker, the Ottawa Senators have signed long-time Pittsburgh Penguins veteran defenseman Sergei Gonchar to a three-year, $16.5 million deal. While I am sure that Gonchar will arrive in Ottawa with far less fanfare than the Queen (who is in Ottawa today), the vibe from Ottawa fans seems to be positive. That said, at 36 years old and with a history of injury troubles, Gonchar seems a bit risky to sign to a three-year deal. But with Anton Volchenkov looking more and more likely to sign a free agent deal with another NHL club, the Sens needed to shore up their back end. You have to wonder, though, if the Senators could have used their money more wisely—wouldn’t you rather have the likes of Dan Hamhuis? No matter. Gonchar will bring a ton of

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have re-signed Michael Leighton to a two-year, $3.1 million contract extension. Leighton, who was claimed off waivers by the Flyers, was instrumental in the team’s playoff run, a run which saw Leighton post a record of 9-1-1 in his first 11 playoff games and take the Flyers to within two games of winning the Stanley Cup. While many Philadelphia fans have been chomping at the bit for general manager Paul Holmgren to bring in a “money” goaltender, it would appear as if his attempts to get Marty Turco and Evgeni Nabokov under contract and/or trade for Jaroslav Halak were thwarted, which left Holmgren with few options via the free agent market. Truth be told (and I have been writing this for months now), all Leighton has done since he donned the Orange and

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed highly-coveted free agent forward Colby Armstrong to a three-year $9 million contract. Armstrong, who stands 6’2 and weighs in at 195 pounds, was a former first round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Penguins (21st overall, 2001 NHL Entry Draft). He scored 15 goals and added 14 assists for a total of 29 points in 79 games with the Thrashers in 2009-10. Clearly, with last nights addition of Kris Versteeg and now Armstrong, Leafs general manager Brian Burke has added another tough player who will compete for top six minutes in Toronto. At $3 million per season, Burke has brought in a player that is both affordable and will fill the role of agitator and perhaps even get some time on the penalty kill—an area the Leafs need lot’s of help. It’s another step in

NHL.com has announced that the Toronto Maple Leafs’ General Manager Brian Burke has acquired forward Kris Versteeg and prospect Bill Sweatt from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forwards Viktor Stalberg, Christopher DiDomenico, and Philippe Paradis. Versteeg scored 20 goals, added 24 assists with the Hawks last season. He should fit in nicely into Toronto’s top six and will bring Stanley Cup experience, something the Leafs need. Sweatt, 21, is known as a speedster with great hands and excellent defensive abilities. Through 39 games played with Colorado College of the NCAA, Sweatt registered 15 goals, added 18 assists for a total of 33 points. He has been a member of Colorado College since 2006-07. For Chicago, they get a very talented threesome of prospects which includes Stalberg who registered nine goals and 14 points through 40 games with the Leafs