A day after being acquired from Ottawa, restricted free-agent defenseman Andrej Meszaros has signed a six-year deal with the Tampa Bay, according to TSN Canada. "The acquisition and signing of Andrej is a strong statement to our players and our fans that the Lightning ownership group is committed to putting the best product on the ice now and for years to come," said executive vice-president of hockey operations Brian Lawton in a statement. Meszaros made $984,200 last season, and is expected to have signed a deal that will pay him roughly $5 million per year. "I'm excited to be joining the Lightning," Meszaros said. "I'm extremely happy to be heading to Tampa Bay and I can't wait to take advantage of this opportunity. We should have a great team and I can not wait to get started."

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Maksim Mayorov to a standard three-year entry level contract, club General Manager Scott Howson announced today. Mayorov, 19, was Columbus? fifth pick, 94th overall, in the 2007 Entry Draft. The 6-foot-2, 187-pound native of Leninogorsk, Russia was the fourth-rated European skater in the final Central Scouting rankings heading into the 2007 draft. Last season, Mayorov played for Ak Bars Kazan in Russia and collected one goal and 16 penalty minutes in 11 games. He spent the previous season with Leninogorsk in the Russian Junior League, tallying six goals and four assists for 10 points and six penalty minutes in 28 games.

The Bruins added depth to their blue line, signing defensemen Mike Egener and Ryan Stokes to contracts on Thursday. Terms were not disclosed.

The Blackhawks have added some depth by signing centre Tim Brent to a one-year contract on Thursday, as reported by the Canadian Press. The Blackhawks acquired the 24-year-old from the Penguins in a trade last month.

Phoenix Coyotes' General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have hired Eric Lacroix as Western Pro Scout. Lacroix, 36, served as assistant coach of the Sundogs when they captured the 2008 Ray Miron President?s Cup as champions of the CHL. One of two principle owners, he helped found the Sundogs in 2005 after working in the Colorado Avalanche organization for four years, where he first served as the assistant coach responsible for video scouting and later was promoted to director of hockey operations. Prior to his stint in the Avalanche front office, Lacroix spent eight seasons in the National Hockey League with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Ottawa Senators. In 472 career NHL games, the Montreal native recorded 67-70-137 and 361 penalty minutes (PIM). Lacroix was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round (136th overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.

The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed left wing Joakim Lindstrom to a one-year contract. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed. Lindstrom, 24 (12/5/83), was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft on July 15, 2008. He appeared in 25 games with Columbus last season, scoring 3-4=7 points with an even plus/minus rating and 14 penalty minutes (PIM). Lindstrom set NHL career highs in all offensive categories in 2007-08, including goals, assists, points, power play goals (2), game-winning goals (1), and shots (25). Lindstrom spent the rest of the 2007-08 season with Syracuse, the Blue Jackets? primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). He scored 25-35=60 points with 68 PIM in 49 games with Syracuse, leading the team in points and power play goals (13) while tying for the lead in goals. Lindstrom also appeared in 13 Calder Cup Playoff games with the Crunch, collecting 4-3=7 points with six PIM. Originally selected by Columbus in the second round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Lindstrom has appeared in 37 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets, scoring 4-4=8 points with 18 PIM. In four seasons with Syracuse, he collected 65-94=159 points with a +2 rating and 154 PIM in 176 career AHL games. A native of Skelleftea, Sweden, Lindstrom registered 12-13=25 points with 60 PIM in 133 career games with MoDo in the Swedish Elite League from 2000-05.

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today the signing of Joe Sakic to a one-year contract. ?I am happy to announce the signing of Joe Sakic to a one-year contract,? said Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere. ?Our entire organization is very excited to have Joe back for another season. As the only captain of the Avalanche, his record of achievement speaks for itself. Having him return is great for our franchise and community, but also for the game of hockey.? ?Ultimately it came down to the fact that I still enjoy playing and competing,? said Sakic. ?I?m comfortable with my conditioning and my overall health. I?m ready for the start of camp and am looking forward to the upcoming season.? Due to the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week, the Avalanche organization will hold a formal press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 1:00 p.m. at the Family Sports Center in Centennial, Colo. At that time, Avalanche Executive Vice President and General Manager Francois Giguere, along with team captain Joe Sakic, will announce the details and answer questions related to this announcement. Sakic will be made available to the media at that time to discuss hockey, so that the focus of tomorrow?s availability can be on the Food Bank of the Rockies.

Less than a week after being waived by the New Jersey Devils? plans, Vitali Vishnevski has found a new home. Vishnevski on Tuesday signed a contract with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of Russia?s Kontinental Hockey League, as reported by Yahoo.com.

Predator's President of Hockey Operations/GM David Poile announced Tuesday that the club has signed forward Nick Spaling to an entry-level contract, as reported by NHL.com.

The Blackhawks have signed right wing Akim Aliu to a three-year deal, the club announced Monday, and reported by the Canadian Press. Aliu was ranked third on the OHL?s London Knights with a career-high 61 points (28 goals, 33 assists) and 133 penalty minutes in 60 games last season. Born in Okene, Nigeria, Aliu, 19, was raised in Ukraine until he was seven before moving to Toronto in the mid-90s.