The Blue Jackets have signed Head Coach Todd Richards to a two-year contract extension through the 2016-17 NHL season, club GM Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.
 
Richards, 47, has led Columbus to an 85-70-16 record in 171 games, including a franchise-best mark of 43-32-7 in 2013-14. The Jackets qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second time in club history this past season and posted the first playoff wins in club history in a six-game Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series vs. the Penguins.
 
“Todd has done an outstanding job for the Columbus Blue Jackets and we’re pleased that he will continue to lead our team,” said Kekalainen.  “We believe he is one of the top young coaches in the NHL because of his knowledge of the game, work ethic and ability to communicate well and bring out the best in our players. He’s played a significant role in our recent success and we look forward to having him continue to be a big part of our franchise moving forward.”

The Capitals hired former Predators coach Barry Trotz and promoted Brian MacLellan to GM on Monday, according to an ESPN.com report.

Trotz takes over for Adam Oates, who was fired last month with a season left on his three-year deal.

MacLellan replaces George McPhee, whose contract was not renewed after 17 seasons as the Capitals' GM.

The Lightning have re-signed center Tyler Johnson to a three-year contract today, vice president and GM Steve Yzerman announced.  Johnson was scheduled to become a restricted free agent.

Johnson played in his first full NHL season in 2013-14 and parlayed it into a nomination for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year.  He was one of three players to appear in all 82 games during the regular season, ranking fourth on the Lightning for goals with 24 and fifth for points with 50.  His plus-23 rating was second on the team.  Johnson was third among NHL rookies for points and tied for first for goals.  He led all NHL first-year forwards for average time on ice with 18:47 per game and face-offs taken with 1,275. 

 The Spokane, Washington native made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in 2014.  Johnson played in all four games of the Lightning’s first round series against the Canadiens, recording a goal and two points. He has played in 96 career NHL games, all with Tampa Bay, notching 27 goals and 56 points. 

Bruins assistant general manager Jim Benning has been named general manager of the Canucks , team president of hockey operations Trevor Linden announced Wednesday.

"Jim brings a wealth of hockey experience as a builder and talent evaluator that will benefit this team for years to come," Linden said. "We are aligned on how we want to build this team and Jim's level of commitment to building a championship team is exciting. I look forward to re-introducing him to Vancouver on Friday." 

He will be introduced on Friday, according to an ESPN.com report.

The Ducks announced today that the club has extended the contract of Executive Vice President and GM Bob Murray for four seasons. Murray is now under contract through the 2019-20 season.
 
"We're very pleased to extend Bob's contract,” said Chief Executive Officer Michael Schulman. “Since taking over as general manager, he has meticulously added youth, skill and depth to the organization. Having been in the NHL for the last 39 consecutive years, he has outstanding knowledge and expertise for the job. He's the right man to continue leading the hockey club going forward."
 
Murray is in his 39th consecutive season in the NHL, his sixth in his current role with the Ducks. He was named to the position on Nov. 12, 2008 after spending the previous three-plus seasons as the club’s Senior VP of Hockey Operations. Under his guidance, the Ducks have won the last two Pacific Division titles, the first time the Ducks have won the division in consecutive years.
 
“Working with the Ducks and the Samuelis is an honor,” said Murray. “This is the right place for me and my family, and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity.”
  

Kirk Muller has been hired as an assistant coach for the Blues, the team announced Tuesday.

"We are excited to add Kirk to our staff," Blues president of hockey operation and GM Doug Armstrong said.

Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock will be back next season, according to an ESPN.com report. 

Hitchcock's contract was extended through 2014-15, the team announced Wednesday. Hired in November 2011, Hitchcock has led the club to three straight postseason appearances, including a franchise-best 52 wins this season. 

The Flyers named Paul Holmgren president and Ron Hextall general manager on Wednesday, according to an ESPN.com report.

Hextall will become the team's seventh GM, a position Holmgren held for eight years. Holmgren will assume the role vacated by Peter Luukko this past December. 

Predators President of Hockey Operations/GM David Poile announced today that the club has hired 2006 Stanley Cup-winning coach Peter Laviolette as the second head coach in team history and signed him to a multi-year contract. Also joining the coaching staff is Kevin McCarthy, who will serve as an assistant alongside Lane Lambert and Phil Housley.

 “Having reached the peak as a Stanley Cup Champion, Peter knows the intensity and urgency it will take to help our team reach its ultimate goal,” Poile said. “He is a great hockey mind who not only has a winning resume, but has done it with an aggressive offensive philosophy while also excelling in helping young players reach their potential. We look forward to Peter instilling his culture in Nashville immediately following his duties coaching the United States at the 2014 World Championship.”