The Senators have landed highly coveted NCAA prospect Stephane Da Costa, according to an Associated Press report. The free-agent forward signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Ottawa on Thursday.

After suffering a gash on his forehead Tuesday night, compliments of Blackhawks forward Fernando Pisani's errant skate, Bruins forward Shawn Thornton won't be in the lineup Thursday night against the Maple Leafs. Although Thornton was on the ice Thursday morning sporting a new helmet with a half shield, he has not been cleared to play, according to an ESPN.com report.

Predators president/general manager David Poile announced Wednesday that the club has signed 2010 first-round pick Austin Watson to a three-year entry level contract. He spend the duration of the 2010-11 season with AHL's Milwaukee on an Amateur Tryout Agreement. Watson, 19, completed his third Ontario Hockey League season in 2010-11, posting 68 points in 68 games with the Peterborough Petes. The Ann Arbor, Mich., native tied for 12th in the OHL in power-play goals (14), tied for the club lead in goals, and ranked second on the Petes in points.

Daymond Langkow has been cleared to resume full-contact practice with the Flames for the first time in more than a year. The veteran center broke a bone in his neck when he was hit by teammate Ian White's shot on March 21, 2010. There is no timetable for him to return to game action.

The Penguins haven't ruled out Sidney Crosby for the playoffs, but they don't expect to have him during the regular season. "I have no expectations of him coming back and playing in the regular season, that's not going to happen," general manager Ray Shero said. Crosby, who has been out since Jan. 6 with a concussion, has been cleared to return to the team's morning skates on game days, but he will not participate in full practices.

Canucks forward Manny Malhotra has had a second operation on his injured left eye. Malhotra was struck in the face by a puck on March 16 in a game against the Avalanche. "Manny Malhotra's health continues to be the primary concern of the hockey club," the team said in a statement. "Progress updates will be made available at the appropriate time." The Canucks announced on March 21 that Malhotra was out for the season.

Devils left winger Zach Parise practiced again Tuesday without pain in his right knee, five months after surgery. He's practiced just three times since he was cleared to skate last month. Parise is not sure when he'll return to the ice after sitting out since Nov. 2 when he had surgery for a torn meniscus. "I can't say one way or the other," he said. "It was nice to get another practice under my belt and it felt good to be out there." New Jersey coach Jacques Lemaire said he liked the way Parise looked in practice. "He's getting better and better," Lemaire said. "He looks fine and fit. He's been away for so long and he said he feels good after being back a week. Getting back to play will certainly give him confidence. It's always tough after a long injury."

Islanders captain Doug Weight will not return this season and is leaning toward retirement. Weight has not played a game since Nov. 17 because of nerve damage in his back and muscle atrophy in his left leg. The 40-year-old was playing in his 20th NHL season and his third with the Islanders. He has 278 goals and 1,033 points in 1,238 career games.

Rangers President and GM Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent forward Tommy Grant. Grant, 24, tallied two assists in his professional debut with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL on Sunday at Providence. Prior to joining Connecticut, Grant appeared in 37 games with the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association this season, registering 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points, along with 57 penalty minutes. He led the team with career-highs in goals, points, game-winning goals (five) and shots on goal (114), and ranked second on the Seawolves in assists and penalty minutes.

The Blue Jackets have signed goaltender Allen York to a standard two-year entry level contract, club Executive Vice President and GM Scott Howson announced today. York, 21, just completed his junior season at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he went 18-11-4 with a 2.17 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and two shutouts in 34 games. He was named Third Team All-ECAC after he finished the season ranked third in the league in wins and goals-against average and fifth in save percentage.