What team beat writers are saying this afternoon:
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch breaks down the Canucks heading into next season. The Canucks better hope Sami Salo stays healthy (umm…that’s not a good thing) because the team’s third pair on defense is lacking.
- The Devils have signed a number of players to two-way deals. Who needs Brian Gionta when you have brother Stephen?
- If the Rangers walk away from the Zherdev ruling, it is fair to say the deal with Columbus that sent Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman the other way was a loss, writes Steve Zipay. Zipay is right. That deal had risk written all over it and only turned out poorly for the Rangers.
- The Penguins have signed Wade Brookbank and Wyatt Smith. End of July signings don’t get much more exciting than this! Jokes aside, Brookbank adds toughness (when he plays–which will probably be rarely) and Smith adds depth to the team’s AHL group.
- The Capitals have signed Milan Jurcina to a one-year deal worth $1.375 million. Jurcina should become expendable later in the season if the Capitals’ young defensemen develop as well as they hope.