The Blues added one of new coach Ken Hitchcock's favorites from his former team, acquiring defenseman Kris Russell from the Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets received defenseman Nikita Nikitin in the deal, which was announced Friday.

The Blue Jackets have acquired center Mark Letestu from the Penguins for a fourth-round pick in next year's NHL draft. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson announced the deal on Tuesday night.

Rangers President and GM Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired forward Francois Bouchard from the Capitals in exchange for defenseman Tomas Kundratek. Bouchard, 23, has skated in 227 career games for the Hershey Bears (AHL), compiling 49 goals and 63 assists for 112 points along with 129 penalty minutes. The 6-1, 198-pounder has competed in 39 career playoff games for Hershey, registering seven goals and seven assists for 14 points, along with 38 penalty minutes, helping lead the team to back to back Calder Cup Championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Kundratek, 21, has played in 77 career games for the Connecticut Whale (AHL), registering two goals and 12 assists for 14 points, along with 44 penalty minutes. The Trinec, Czech Republic native was originally New York’s third round choice, 90th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.