Daniel Alfredsson will be returning for an 18th season with the Senators, according to an ESPN.com report.

The 40-year-old Alfredsson had been contemplating retirement after last season, but the Senators received word from his agent Friday letting them know he'd be back.

The Rangers announced Friday afternoon that they will not be using their one remaining compliance buyout this summer, ending weeks of speculation that Brad Richards might be bought out.

The center struggled this season and was benched for the final two games of the second-round playoff series loss to the Bruins.

Mark Messier, who was recently passed over for the Rangers' head coaching job, issued a statement Thursday saying he's leaving the club.

Messier said, “I would like to thank the New York Rangers and particularly Glen Sather for giving me the opportunity over the last four years to work with the Rangers.  I am resigning my position with the Team to pursue an opportunity to expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center.  Although some will perceive this as a reaction to the coaching decision, nothing could be further from the truth.  I completely respect the decision that was made and for all the reasons it was made.  I harbor no hard feelings toward Glen or the Rangers.  This is a personal choice I am making to create a program in the New York area that will give our children more choices and opportunities in the future.  I wish the Rangers nothing but the best in the future.“

The Lightning will use a compliance buy-out, as allowed by the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, on center Vincent Lecavalier, vice president and GM Steve Yzerman announced today. Lecavalier becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 5, eligible to sign with any team in the NHL, except Tampa Bay. The Lightning will pay Lecavalier two-thirds of the value of his existing contract over twice the term of the deal.
 
“Vinny has been a significant reason for many of our past successes, including the 2004 Stanley Cup, and his contributions to the community are immeasurable,” said Yzerman upon announcing the buyout. “The Lightning organization is indebted to Vinny; we thank him for all he has done here and we wish him well as he moves forward.

Now that the season is finished, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli's top priority will be to sign goaltender Tuukka Rask to a long-term contract, according to an ESPN.com report on Wednesday.

The sides tabled talks of a contract extension once the lockout-shortened season started in January, and discussions are expected to begin in the coming days.

Last week, the Avalanche made it clear they weren't going to draft Seth Jones, the presumed choice, with the No. 1 overall pick. Now, according to new coach Patrick Roy, they have a clear order of preference.

If the draft was today, he said, they'd select Halifax center Nathan MacKinnon with the first pick.

"It would be tough for us not to take MacKinnon," Roy told ESPN The Magazine. "MacKinnon is ready to play tomorrow."

The Flyers are buying out the remainder of goalie Ilya Bryzgalov's contract, saving the team nearly $6M under the salary cap for each of the next seven years.

Bryzgalov was two seasons into a $51M, nine-year contract he signed in 2011, according to an ESPN.com report. 

Dave Tippett has agreed to a long-term extension with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Tippett has a 156-96-42 record over four seasons with the Coyotes despite strict financial restrictions due to the NHL's ownership of the franchise.

The Coyotes also extended general manager Don Maloney earlier this year.

The Dallas Stars have hired Lindy Ruff as their new head coach.

Ruff coached the Buffalo Sabres for 15 seasons before being fired in February.

Ruff is the first signifiant hire for new Stars' GM Jim Nill.

The Vancouver Canucks have offered their head coaching job to John Tortorella.

Tortorella was fired by the New York Rangers last month following a second round elimination.

Tortorella would replace Alain Vigneault, who was fired this offseason and has coincidentally replaced him with the Rangers.