vern fiddler

Free Agnecy Seems like Mark Recchi will be packing it in after this upcoming season, writes Fluto Shinzawa. Did the Blackhawks mishandle the team's qualifying offers to specific young players? The Wings were not surprised that they were not able to re-sign Mikael Samuelsson to a new contract. "Obviously (the money) was the key, I shouldn't lie,' said Samuelsson about his new three-year deal with Vancouver. Sounds like the Canucks have been eyeing Mikael Samuelsson for a while now. Shane Hnidy and Martin Havlat are excited to be reunited in Minnesota. The Wild remains intersted in Saku Koivu, but is he interested in them? On Friday, the Rangers penned Tyler Arnason to a two-way contract. The Coyotes have signed recent acquisition Shaun Heshka to a one-year contract. Staying in Phoenix, the Coyotes are very excited to have the useful Vern Fiddler on board. Ruslan Fedotenko demonstrated that he really cares about winning, by taking a paycut to remain with the Penguins. Big Ryane Clowe has signed a four-year extension with the San Jose Sharks. Another Mats Sundin waiting game is coming, but don't expect this time around to be as long and drawn out. There is a petition floating around Montreal that is calling for the re-signing of Saku Koivu and Alexei Kovalev. Ryan Smyth Trade "The way he plays is the way I want the Kings to play," said Kings GM Dean Lombardi about the Ryan Smyth acquisition. With the acquisition of Smyth, the Kings' top-six looks good. Adrian Dater says the fact that Colorado was looking to trade Ryan Smyth was not a surprise. Rick Nash Extension Here is all you need to know about Rick Nash's accomplishements. Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch says Nash is worth all that he signed for. Not only did Nash sign a long-term extension, but he structured the deal so it helps the Blue Jackets too. Too bad Toronto fans, no Rick Nash for you. Dany Heatley Situation Former Thrashers defenseman, and teammate of Dany Heatley, Garnett Exelby thinks that Dany Heatley is handcuffing the Senators organizaiton. "Right now, I don't think anything is happening at all," said Senators owner Eugene Melnyk about a possible Dany Heatley trade. Ron Hextall details why the Kings are not interested in Dany Heatley's services. It sounds like Oilers GM Steve Tambellini still thinks his team has a chance to acquire Heatley. Everything Else Apparently the Kessel-to-Toronto deal is no longer on the table, explains Steve Buffery. Did the Leafs tamper with the Sedin twins? Randy Youngman of the Orange County Register says the Chris Pronger trade was a good one. Teemu Selanne says this upcoming season will be his last in the NHL. The Penguins not only signed Fedotenko but also made a small front office move, as well. As a result, the Penguins need to hire an assistant coach.

NHL Morning Papers (Independence Day Edition): Phil Kessel to Toronto deal is off the table, Mats Sundin to make decision by end of the month and did Leafs tamper with Sedin twins