The Avalanche announced today that the team has signed forward Luke Walker to an entry-level contract. Walker, 20, was Colorado?s seventh selection (fifth round, 139th overall) in the 2010 Entry Draft. He appeared in two games for the Avalanche this preseason, tallying one goal and no assists with a +2 plus/minus rating. He was reassigned to the club?s AHL training camp this past Sunday (Sept. 26). ?Luke had a good training camp and we?re glad to have him under contract,? said Avalanche GM/Executive Vice President Greg Sherman. ?We look forward to him beginning his professional career with the Lake Erie Monsters.? Walker has spent the past three seasons with the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. He collected 57 points (27g/30a) and 103 penalty minutes in 61 games with Portland in 2009-10. The New Haven, Conn., native helped the United States win the gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan.

Forward Matt Hendricks has signed a one-year contract with the Capitals after going to training camp on a tryout basis, according to an Associated Press report on Monday.

Brian Burke, president and GM of the Maple Leafs, announced Friday that the team has signed free agent forward Andrew Crescenzi to a three-year entry level contract. Crescenzi, an 18-year-old native of Thornhill, Ontario played in 68 games for the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2009-10 collecting 12 points on eight goals and four assists, along with 42 penalty minutes. In 20 playoff games, the 6-4, 199-pound forward added one goal and two assists with 11 minutes in penalties. He was originally invited to the Maple Leafs? 2010 training camp as a free agent. The Maple Leafs also announced that forward Greg McKegg has been reassigned to the OHL?s Erie Otters.

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Friday that the team has signed free agent forward Andrew Crescenzi to a three-year entry level contract. Crescenzi, an 18-year-old native of Thornhill, Ontario played in 68 games for the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2009-10 collecting 12 points on eight goals and four assists, along with 42 penalty minutes. In 20 playoff games, the 6-4, 199-pound forward added one goal and two assists with 11 minutes in penalties. He was originally invited to the Maple Leafs? 2010 training camp as a free agent.

The Capitals have signed goaltender Michal Neuvirth to a two-year contract extension worth $2.3M, according to an Associated Press report. The Capitals said Wednesday the contract takes effect in 2011-12.

Tom Poti has signed a two-year, $5.75M contract extension with the Capitals, according to an Associated Press report. Poti will receive $3M in the 2011-12 season, and $2.75M in 2012-13. The $14M, four-year deal he signed when he joined Washington as a free agent in 2007 was set to expire after the coming season.

The Blue Jackets have signed goaltender Steve Mason to a two-year contract extension through the 2012-13 NHL season, club Executive Vice President and GM Scott Howson announced on Monday. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed. Mason, 22, has posted a 53-46-16 record, 2.65 goals-against average, .908 save percentage and 15 shutouts in 119 games during his first two NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets. The Oakville, Ontario, who was originally selected by the club with its second pick, 69th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, is the franchise?s career leader in shutouts. ?Steve Mason is a young goaltender with great size and athleticism and we are very pleased that we were able to agree on this contract extension,? said Howson. ?He is an important member of our team and we?re excited that he will continue to be a significant contributor to our hockey club in the future.?

The Ducks announced today that the club has signed defenseman Paul Mara to a one-year contract. Per club policy, no financial terms of the deal were disclosed. Mara appeared in 42 games for the Canadiens last season, collecting 0-8=8 points with 48 penalty minutes. He suffered a shoulder injury on Jan. 22 at New Jersey and subsequently missed the final 30 games of the regular season. In 2008-09 with the Rangers, Mara recorded 5-16=21 points in 76 contests, ranking fourth among club defensemen in points. He appeared in his 600th career NHL contest on Dec. 23, 2008 vs. the Capitals.

The defending NHL champion Blackhawks have given coach Joel Quenneville a three-year contract extension, according to an Associated Press report. The contract announced Thursday runs through the 2013-14 season. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Lightning have signed defenseman Charles Landry to a three-year entry level contract tonight, Vice President and GM Steve Yzerman announced. He will be assigned to his junior team, the Montreal Juniors of the QMJHL. Landry played in 68 games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL last season, recording six goals and 30 points. He was one of six players on Drummondville to appear in a team-high 68 games and was third among defensemen in points. Landry also played in 14 playoff games last season, recording three goals and five points.