The Columbus Blue Jackets have reached an agreement with the Springfield Falcons to serve as the organization?s AHL affiliate, Blue Jackets Assistant GM Chris MacFarland and Falcons President and GM Bruce Landon announced today. The one-year affiliation agreement is for the 2010-11 season with an additional one-year option. ?The Blue Jackets organization is proud to have the Springfield Falcons as our top affiliate beginning in 2010-11 and joining a market that has been a part of the AHL?s rich tradition for many years,? said MacFarland, who will oversee the club?s hockey operations for the Blue Jackets. ?We are looking forward to having our young players continue to develop and putting a premier product on the ice for the fans in Springfield.? The Springfield Falcons will enter their 17th American Hockey League season in 2010-11.

Rangers President and GM Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Lee Baldwin. Baldwin, 21, skated in 32 games with the U. of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves this season, registering one goal and nine assists for 10 points, along with 51 penalty minutes. Prior to joining the Seawolves, the 6-4, 205-pounder skated in 150 career British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) games over three seasons with the Burnaby Express and Victoria Grizzlies, recording 20 goals and 74 assists for 94 points, along with 174 penalty minutes.

Ryan Kesler has signed a six-year contract extension with the Canucks, according to an Associated Press report on Friday. The 25-year-old forward due to become a restricted free agent on July 1 is now under contract through the 2015-16 season. Kesler is having a career season with 21 goals and 45 assists in 71 games.

The Hurricanes have agreed to terms with former Notre Dame defenseman Kyle Lawson on a two-year, entry-level deal, according to an Associated Press report on Wednesday. Lawson, selected in the seventh round of the 2005 draft, recently completed his senior season for the Irish. He would earn $500,000 on the NHL level and $50,000 on the AHL level in 2010-11, and $525,000 on the NHL level and $50,000 on the AHL level the following season. He also gets an $80,000 signing bonus. The 23-year-old will join Carolina?s AHL affiliate in Albany for the remainder of this season on an amateur tryout contract.