free agent contract

Free Agency The Leafs are not only after netminder Jonas Gustavsson, but they are also after his teammate Rickard Wallin. In Montreal, there was a fan rally to keep Alexei Kovalev a Hab. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are waiting for a ruling by the NHL/NHLPA to determine if a filing issue will make a number of significant players free agents. Chad LaRose is officially no longer a free agent, after he signed a two-year, $3.4 million contract with the Hurricanes. The free agent contract Steve Sullivan signed won't be covered by insurance, writes John Glennon. The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Chris Connor to a one-year deal. The Penguins have also signed defenseman Chris Lee. Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province thinks something is fishy about Mattias Ohlund's contract being signed so soon after free agency began. Salary Arbitration News Bruins defeneseman Matt Hunwick has filed for salary artbitration. In Buffalo, Clarke MacArthur has also accepted salary arbitration. Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu has opted for the arbitration process. Marc Methot of the Blue Jackets has decided to accept arbitration. Amazingly, Red Wings GM Ken Holland has never had a player's salary determined by arbitration under his watch, writes George Sipple. Will Jiri Hudler end that streak? New Wild center Kyle Brodziak has opted for the arbitration process, but that doesn't mean both sides can't work something out beforehand. Travis Zajac is one of the more significant names that filed for arbitration. Little-known Matt Smaby of the Lightning has filed for arbitration, as well. After a rocky start to the season, Kyle Wellwood feels confident enough that his play will earn him a raise in pay via salary arbitration. Habs center Tomas Plekanec has filed for arbitration after a poor 2008/09 campaign. Everything Else Dan Barnes of the Edmonton Journal is late to the party but he still takes time to call Dany Heatley a selfish hockey player. You think that's harsh? The people of Ottawa think that is tame. Wayne Gretzky was caught off-guard by a question posed to him by Toronto sports radio show host Bob McCown. Talk about a dream coming true for Blackhawks seventh round selection Paul Phillips. Looking to next season, Stars netminder Marty Turco admits he needs to play less games next season. Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette answers a reader's question regarding the expected drop in the salary cap next season. The Oilers are looking to add an Oklahoma-based farm team.

NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition): The Leafs want Jonas Gustavsson and his teammate, Marty Turco wants to play less and Habs fans rally to keep Alexei Kovalev