Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin will miss his fifth straight game and seventh in his past eight because of a bruised right foot. Malkin said following Wednesday?s morning skate that he would not play in the Penguins? night game against the Lightning. He hopes to return Saturday against the Thrashers. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar said he would miss a fourth consecutive game due to strep throat. He also expects to play on Saturday.

Coyotes GM Don Maloney announced today that the team has signed defenseman Chris Summers to an entry level contract. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. Summers, 22, recently completed his senior season at the University of Michigan, recording 4-12-16 and 28 penalty minutes in 40 games while serving as team captain of the Wolverines. In 2008-09, Summers served as a co-captain for Michigan and registered career-highs in assists (13) and points (17) while being named a finalist for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Defensive Defenseman of the Year award and earning All-CCHA honorable mention status. A native of Milan, Michigan, Summers was originally selected by the Coyotes in the first round (29th overall) of the 2006 Entry Draft. He will report to the Coyotes? AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.

Canucks defenseman Shane O?Brien will be benched for the next three games for disciplinary reasons, according to an Associated Press report. Canucks coach Alain Vigneault says O?Brien won?t play in Tuesday night?s game against the Coyotes. He also won?t accompany the team for Thursday?s game in Los Angeles or Friday in Anaheim.

Flyers forward Dan Carcillo has been suspended two games for a hit on the Devils' David Clarkson, according to an Associated Press report. The league suspended Carcillo on Tuesday, forcing him out of the Flyers? upcoming games against the Islanders and Canadiens.

Minnesota Wild goalie Josh Harding won?t play the rest of the season, according to an Associated Press report. The team said Tuesday that Harding has a torn labrum in his hip and will likely need surgery.

The Avalanche announced on Tuesday that the team has signed forward Mark Olver to an entry-level contract. Olver will report to Colorado?s AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. Olver ust completed his junior season at Northern Michigan University (CCHA), where he was named one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey?s player of the year. The Burnaby, B.C., native led the Wildcats with 49 points in 40 games in helping Northern Michigan advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1999. Olver finished as the CCHA?s scoring champion with 35 points in 27 league games and was named to the CCHA All-Conference First Team. ?Mark had a very productive career at Northern Michigan and we look forward to having him make his professional debut with the Lake Erie Monsters,? said Avalanche GM Greg Sherman. Colorado?s fourth selection (fifth round, 140th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Olver led Northern Michigan in scoring during each of his three seasons at the school.

The Stars have signed former Yale forward Sean Backman to a one-year deal, according to an Associated Press report. Backman was a three-time all-Ivy League choice at Yale, where he was second on the team and 13th nationally with 21 goals last season. He scored 126 points in 122 games during his four-year Yale career. Backman led Yale in scoring his first two seasons.

The Maple Leafs have signed Vermont forward Brayden Irwin to a two-year contract, according to an Associated Press report. Irwin led the Catamounts with 34 points and helped the team earn a second straight bid to the NCAA tournament.

Penguins defenseman Kris Letang has signed a four-year contract extension that runs through the 2013-14 season, according to an Associated Press report. The deal announced Tuesday prevents him from becoming a restricted free agent.

Rangers President and GM Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent goaltender Cameron Talbot. Talbot, 22, was named the 2010 College Hockey America (CHA) tournament MVP and selected to the CHA All Tournament Team after backstopping the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers to their second CHA tournament championship. Talbot appeared in 33 games with the Chargers this past season, posting a 12-18-3 record, along with a 2.60 goals against average, a .925 save percentage and one shutout. His .925 save percentage led all CHA goaltenders and tied for sixth overall in the NCAA, while he ranked second in the conference in wins and goals against average. He recorded a 29-save shutout against Robert Morris in the first round of the CHA conference tournament on March 12, his second career collegiate shutout. Talbot registered five 40-plus save performances this season, including a season-high 46 saves in a 2-2 tie on December 4 at Robert Morris. The 6-3, 185-pounder appeared in 70 career games with the Chargers, posting a record of 15-44-6, along with a 3.10 goals against average, a .907 save percentage and two shutouts. Talbot registered his first collegiate shutout with a 33-save effort in a 1-0 win at Yale on November 21, 2008. Prior to making his collegiate debut in 2007-08, he appeared in 82 OJHL games with the Hamilton Red Wings, registering a 40-18-0 record with a 2.38 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.