Derick Brassard signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old center, who was an unrestricted free agent, scored 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 53 games with the Arizona Coyotes last season. He was first on the team in face-off percentage (52.6, minimum 15 face-offs taken).

Tuukka Rask said he could be ready to return from offseason hip surgery in late December, and when he does, the unrestricted free agent goalie only wants to play for the Boston Bruins.

"I'll be ready to go probably around Christmas time, January," Rask told WEEI 93.7 FM on Wednesday. "So hopefully I can start skating here in a month and a half or so and then progress from there and be ready to go in January."

Star center Joe Thornton has signed a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers for the 24th season of his legendary career.

Thornton, 42, will earn $750,000 on the deal, with no bonuses or incentives.

"I see their team on paper, I watched their team last year, I love their team, and that's it," Thornton said. "I love what they're building, and I'm excited to be part of it. But everything is about ultimately winning the Stanley Cup, and the Panthers are right there in my opinion."

The New Jersey Devils have signed free-agent forward Tomas Tatar to a two-year, $9 million contract and re-signed restricted free-agent forward Yegor Sharangovich to a two-year, $4 million deal, general manager Tom Fitzgerald announced Thursday.

Joe Thornton is practicing with HC Davos of the National League, the top professional league in Switzerland, while the unrestricted free agent forward decides on his NHL future.

The 42-year-old scored 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 44 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season after signing a one-year, $700,000 contract Oct. 16. He missed 10 games with a fractured rib from Jan. 22-Feb. 13.

Nick Ritchie signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. It has an average annual value of $2.5 million.

The 25-year-old forward was an unrestricted free agent after not receiving a qualifying offer from the Boston Bruins.