The Blue Jackets have signed left wing Kerby Rychel of the OHL’s Guelph Storm to a three-year entry level contract, club GM Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. Rychel was the club’s second of three first round picks in the 2013 NHL Draft, selected 19th overall.
 
“Kerby is a hard-nosed player who is very competitive and possesses a mixture of skill, the ability to score goals and grit,” said Kekalainen.  “We believe he will be an important part of our organization for years to come as he continues to grow and develop as a player.”
 
Rychel, 19, has tallied 17 goals and 28 assists for 45 points with 17 penalty minutes to go along with five power play and four game-winning goals in 30 games with Windsor and Guelph this season. 

David Nonis, Senior Vice President and GM of the Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday that the club has signed Captain Dion Phaneuf to a seven-year contract extension that will commence at the start of the 2014-15 NHL season.

“Dion is our team leader and has been a pillar in our building process,” said Nonis. “He has proven to be a very durable and reliable defenceman in all facets of the game. He plays big minutes in every situation for us and we’re pleased to have him under contract for the next seven seasons.”

“This is a very proud day for me and my family,” said Phaneuf. “I’m very honoured to be the captain of this historic franchise and to maintain the opportunity to play and represent the Toronto Maple Leafs for many years to come. We have passionate fans and a dedicated ownership group. I have great teammates and look forward to growing with them and achieving our goal of winning.”

Phaneuf, 28, has played 39 games for the Maple Leafs this season, registering 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) with 50 penalty minutes. 

In 639 career NHL games with Calgary (2005-06 to 2009-10) and Toronto (2009-10 to present), the native of Edmonton, Alberta, has amassed 110 goals, 245 assists, 355 points and 851 minutes in penalties. 

The Maple Leafs are close to signing Dion Phaneuf to a seven-year contract extension, a source confirmed to ESPN.com Saturday, although there remains details to iron out before the deal gets done.

TSN's Darren Dreger reported Saturday that the deal being negotiated is worth $49M in total.

Morgan Klimchuk signed an entry-level contract with the Flames on Tuesday, meaning the 2013 first-round draft pick will be with the team for at least three years.

A Calgary native, Klimchuk is in his fourth season with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League.

The Lightning have signed defenseman Jean-Pilippe Cote to a two-year contract today, vice president and GM Steve Yzerman announced.  Cote has been recalled to Tampa Bay and will wear No. 60.

Cote has played in 19 games with the Crunch this season, notching two goals and nine points.  He leads all Crunch players with a plus-6 rating and is tied for second among team defensemen for goals.  He has played in 535 career AHL games with Syracuse, the Norfolk Admirals, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hamilton Bulldogs, registering 20 goals and 107 points.   

Cote was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the ninth round, 265^th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.  He has played in eight career NHL games with the Canadiens during the 2005-06 season.