Center Sergei Fedorov and defenseman Adam Foote will play for the Blue Jackets next season, rather than be bought out of the final year of their contracts.
There had been speculation that the club would try to shed Fedorov's $6.08 million and Foote's $4.6 million before NHL free agency begins at noon Sunday.
"They're going to be back, both of them," general manager Scott Howson said. "They're world-class players who have had great careers and, we think, still have a lot to offer our club."
May 2007 - Hockey Wiretap
Bruins Limited In Market
Just about a year ago, interim general manager Jeff Gorton, the steward of the Bruins' checkbook, committed $57.5 million to two prized free agents.
With free agency opening tomorrow, the scenario has changed dramatically for the ever-changing Bruins.
Gorton, fired earlier this week, is no longer with the team. Claude Julien has replaced coach Dave Lewis, who helped persuade Zdeno Chara to sign with Boston.
And with the Bruins making big-bucks plays last summer for Chara ($37.5 million over five years) and Marc Savard ($20 million over four years), there isn't much cash remaining for similar strikes this time around, despite yesterday's announcement that the NHL will increase the salary cap from $44 million to $50.3 million.
"We won't be part of the frenzy," said general manager Peter Chiarelli. "But we'll certainly be looking at guys."
Kings Re-Sign Modry, Giuliano To One-Year Deals
Defenseman Jaroslav Modry and left wing Jeff Giuliano re-signed with the Kings on Friday, agreeing to one-year contracts.
The 36-year-old Modry split last season between the Stars and the Kings, playing in 76 games and getting one goal and 17 assists. He came to Los Angeles in a trade from Dallas on Feb. 27.
Florida Signs Stumpel To Two-Year Extension
The Panthers signed center Jozef Stumpel to a two-year contract extension Friday.
The 34-year-old Stumpel has played in 147 games for the Panthers in the past two seasons and had 38 goals and 71 assists. He scored 23 goals last season -- a career high.
NHL Salary Cap Rises To $50.3 Million
The NHL salary cap will rise to $50.3 million per team next season, an increase of $6.3 million from last season, the league and players' union announced Friday.
It's the second increase under the collective bargaining agreement that ended the yearlong lockout in 2005.
Briere Rejects Sabres' Offer
Daniel Briere landed in Southern California on Thursday afternoon. That?s bad news for Buffalo Sabres fans. The club?s scoring king was to meet co-captain Chris Drury, who lives in Manhattan Beach, Calif., and discuss their intentions.
The NHL free agency period begins at noon Sunday, and contracts for both centers are up. As two of the more coveted unrestricted free agents, they?re bound to field several lucrative offers.
But the main reason Briere jetted to the coast wasn?t to talk shop with Drury. Briere journeyed there to be with his agent, Pat Brisson, so they can evaluate each offer together.
One offer they apparently didn?t need to talk over was the one Buffalo just made. Brisson rejected the five-year offer believed to be worth about $25 million. Briere wanted a similar long-term deal last summer, but the Sabres weren?t interested. Instead, he went to arbitration and was awarded a one-year contract for $5 million.
Forsberg Has More Ankle Surgery
Peter Forsberg's hockey future once again is under a cloud of uncertainty as the former Avalanche star had surgery Thursday on his right ankle.
Forsberg's agent, Don Baizley, confirmed his client had surgery at a hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden, about 650 miles from his hometown of Ornskoldsvik.
But Baizley, who also represents Avalanche captain Joe Sakic, called the surgery a minor procedure.
"I just talked to him a couple of hours ago, and he's doing well," Baizley said. "It was a small thing they did, and it's my understanding he'll be able to be up and around in a few days, and even be able to run."
Still, Baizley acknowledged that he doesn't know for sure whether Forsberg will be healthy enough to play at the NHL level this season.
"If he's 100 percent able to play, then he will. But he's not in a situation to make that determination yet," Baizley said.
Nashville Doubts Kariya Will Stay
Paul Kariya's decision to enter the free agent market means that in all likelihood, the Predators will have lost their leading scorer from last season in addition to their starting goalie, best defenseman and a promising young forward.
The Predators had hoped to re-sign Kariya, their top points producer in both his seasons in Nashville, but General Manager David Poile said the question marks surrounding the franchise's future were too much for the two sides to overcome.
"He's definitely going to go into free agency and it's certainly looking doubtful based on our conversations and the uncertainty of our franchise that he'll be coming back here,'' Poile said Thursday.
Report: Leipold Finds California Businessman To Buy Predators
Predators owner Craig Leipold finally may be finished with Jim Balsillie once and for all.
According to a report by the National Post on Thursday, Leipold has informed Balsillie that he no longer is interested in selling the Predators to the Canadian billionaire and will attempt to strike a deal with California businessman William DelBiaggio.
Flames Re-Sign Primeau To Three-Year Deal
The Flames re-signed center Wayne Primeau to a three-year contract and inked defenseman David Hale to a one-year deal.
Calgary had acquired Primeau, who could've become an unrestricted free agent Sunday, from the Bruins in a February trade that also brought defenseman Brad Stuart to the Flames. His salary last season was $1.15 million. In the new deal, he'll earn $1.4 million a year.
Coyotes Waive Adams, Boynton
In anticipation of this weekend's free-agent signing period, the Coyotes waived two players.
Sabres Send Briere and Drury Offers?
An unconfirmed television report Wednesday night said that the Buffalo Sabres have begun negotiations with co-captains Daniel Briere and Chris Drury.
Time Running Out For Drury And Briere
The Sabres will have to be creative if they want to keep their co-captains past this Sunday morning.
Brodeur Quits NHL Committee
Martin Brodeur may again wear the crown as the NHL's top goaltender, but that doesn't mean those in authority are willing to listen attentively to his views on the game.
Pens' Talbot Wins Shot At $10 Million
Penguins forward Maxime Talbot is headed to Las Vegas for the World Series of Poker.
Rangers Cut Rachunek Loose
It was an unusual move for GM Glen Sather, who generally likes to keep as many assets as possible under the organization's umbrella for use in trades.
Busy Day For Panthers' Front Office
Craig Anderson will backup newly acquired starter Tomas Vokoun.