Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson will return for a 17th season in 2012-13, the team announced Tuesday. "I'm excited to get ready for another season," Alfredsson said. "I've been training for about a month and a half, and my body feels a lot further ahead of where it was last year at this point. I expect to come into camp stronger and fitter than I did last year."

The Flyers have reached a minor league affiliation with Trenton of the ECHL on Monday. "We look forward to working closely with Trenton on developing future Flyers in a winning environment," Philadelphia GM Paul Holmgren said.

USA Hockey on Monday announced that CCM would be the sponsor of the inaugural CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, slated for Sept. 29 at First Niagara Center in Buffalo. The event will include 40 of the top American-born prospects eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft.

Mark Jankowski, the first scholastic player selected at the 2012 Draft, has decided to continue his career at Providence College. Jankowski, a center taken by the Flames with the 21st pick, intended to play for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL for one season before joining the Friars in the fall of 2013. "Although we are disappointed in not having the opportunity to work with Mark, we wish him the best of luck in Providence as he continues his student athletic career," Dubuque coach and GM Jim Montgomery said.

The largest contract in the history of the Predators and the second largest in NHL history was cause for a celebration this past week, as Shea Weber and team representatives addressed the media and fans. A day after the club matched the 14-year, $110M offer sheet the Flyers gave to Weber, Tom Cigarran, David Poile and Jeff Cogen gathered on the plaza in front of Bridgestone Arena to rejoice. "It is a very exciting time for the Predators organization and myself," Weber said. "It is a big step in the right direction. The ownership showed a commitment here obviously in the last week. Going forward, now I can focus on the important stuff: getting ready for the season and getting ready to go this year."

Scotty Bowman is one of four coaches set to participate in the alumni matchup in conjunction with the Winter Classic in Detroit. Bowman and Barry Smith will represent the Red Wings against former Maple Leafs coaches Red Kelly and Pat Quinn on Dec. 31 at Comerica Park.

The NHLPA made a number of presentations to owners on Thursday, as talks between the union and the NHL concluded for the week. Player pensions, length of training camp and ice conditions were the topics of this round, as the two sides agreed to continue negotiations toward a new CBA on Monday.

After spending the past 10 years of his career with the Jackets, Rick Nash knows he is in for a change of scenery with the Rangers. Traded to New York in a blockbuster deal on Monday, the 28-year-old winger said he's ready for the challenge of playing underneath the bright lights of Broadway. "I think the main thing was looking at the team, looking at what they've done over the years. It's something I'd love to be part of. I'd love to help them out. I think the big-market is just a bonus that comes along with it," said Nash, who hails from Brampton, Ontario. "Growing up around Toronto, this is kind of what I'm used to for hockey. It was a bit of a change playing in Columbus. After being there for nine-10 years, I think I'm looking forward to seeing all this."

At a news conference Tuesday announcing a contract extension for coach Claude Julien, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli also told reporters that forward Nathan Horton (concussion) has been cleared for contact. "By all accounts, from our medical staff, (he'll) be ready to play when it comes time to play," Chiarelli said.

In the most important hockey transaction in franchise history, Predators Chairman Tom Cigarran, President of Hockey Operations/GM David Poile and CEO Jeff Cogen announced today that the team has matched the 14-year, $110M offer sheet between the Flyers and defenseman Shea Weber, insuring that the Predators' captain will remain with the franchise for the next 14 years.