Thursday’s news conference inside the HP Pavilion restaurant to announce his retirement was vintage Jeremy Roenick in action. There was plenty of laughter and plenty of stories with a few strong opinions and a couple of eyebrow-raising statements mixed in. As he said to open the proceedings, “Everybody be prepared because you know I like to talk.”

But there was also something you don’t see too often from the man virtually everyone calls “J.R.” in tears.

Try as he might and, to be truthful, he didn’t try very hard, the 39-year-old couldn’t keep his emotions in check. It was at a point when Dallas Stars icon Mike Modano, through the magic of technology, spoke about the many battles he had with the colorful center and the friendship they share to this day that Roenick’s quivering voice finally cracked.

“You made me a better hockey player,” said Roenick, who called Modano the best American-born player of all time. “You were who I tried to be.” While there undoubtedly have been some young American hockey players who grew up watching Roenick and wanting to be like him, that won’t be easy — because there may not be another one quite like J.R.

He’s got the numbers – 513 goals, 703 assists, 1,216 points that give him a solid argument for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame when he’s eligible in 2012. He ranks third among the US born players in goals and points and sixth in assists. Roenick simply is one of the greatest players this country has produced.

But it was the way in which Roenick went about achieving stardom that made him unique. He was brash, in your face and didn’t hold anything back, whether he was in front of the net or in front of a microphone. “As unfiltered as J.R. can be sometimes, it comes from the heart and he always backed it up on the ice,” said Doug Wilson, the San Jose Sharks’ general manager and former roommate of Roenick when the two played in Chicago.

It was Wilson who, in 2007, gave Roenick an opportunity to end his career on his terms after short failed stints with Los Angeles and Phoenix. Roenick had already sent out text messages saying he was going to retire — but Wilson, a good friend, called to see whether he still had some hockey left in him.

“Sometimes in your life, you have friends that come and save you,” Roenick said, choking up with each word. “Just when I thought it was all over. A great career! A career I was proud of. I was leaving and I wasn’t able to say goodbye to it. And then Doug Wilson called me.”

“I was at a golf tournament and Doug asked me to come down to San Jose. I was a little bit overweight … by about 20 pounds. I remember he said, ‘You think you can still play this game.’ I said, ‘Doug, I know I can still play this game’,” he added.

The winning of Pittsburg Penguins under the leadership of Sidney Crosby has boosted his points and he is hailed the best Canadian in the NHL who has contributed so much to the popularity of the game. Unofficially, Canadians constitute 52.8 percent of all NHL players. With so much talent to choose from, Canada’s management group has its work cut out for it as it prepares to pare the roster to 23 in preparation for the 2010 Games in Vancouver. The NHL.com has compiled the list of top ten players from Canada of which I have picked top six players here.

1. Sidney Crosby, F, Pittsburgh — Crosby played like a man possessed during the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring 15 goals and finishing with 31 points in 24 games to become the youngest captain in NHL history to lead his team to the Cup. At age 21 (he turns 22 on Aug. 7), he led all Canadian players with 103 points in 77 regular-season games in 2008-09.

2. Martin Brodeur, G, New Jersey — Brodeur, 37, returned from injury late last season to become the winningest goaltender in NHL history with his 552nd victory. He went 19-9-3 with a 2.41 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 31 appearances — missing 50 games with a left bicep injury, the first major absence of his career. Brodeur has a 2.21 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 999 career games spanning 16 seasons. The three-time Olympian backstopped Canada to a gold medal in 2002.

3. Jarome Iginla, F, Calgary — The Flames’ captain finished third among Canadian skaters last season with 89 points. He’s won gold at four international events — the 2004 World Cup, ‘02 Olympics, ‘97 World Championship and ‘96 World Junior Championship.
4. Marc-Andre Fleury, G, Pittsburgh — Without Fleury in goal for Games 6 and 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Penguins might not be spending their summer with the greatest trophy in sports. Fleury allowed just two goals and stopped 48 of 50 shots over those final two games against Detroit. He went 35-18-7 with a 2.67 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 62 regular-season games.

5. Chris Pronger, D, Philadelphia — Pronger, 34, remains one of the finest two-way defensemen in the game today. He finished sixth on Anaheim in scoring (48 points) and seventh in hits (78) and led the team in blocked shots (122) while playing all 82 games in 2008-09. The intimidating 6-foot-6, 214-pound veteran, acquired by the Flyers on Draft Night, has registered at least 40 points each of the last five seasons.

6. Ryan Getzlaf, F, Anaheim — Getzlaf tied his career high with 25 goals and finished with a career-high and team-leading 91 points in 2008-09. He’s also considered one of the League’s top power forwards, compiling a team-leading 134 hits last season. Getzlaf has scored at least 24 goals each of the last three seasons.

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman issued the following statement following today’s Board of Governors meeting:

“The National Hockey League’s Board of Governors met this afternoon to review the ownership applications of three prospective ownership groups for the Phoenix Coyotes.  The Board’s process today represents the League’s best efforts to comply with the League’s review procedures pursuant to NHL Constitution Article 3.5 and NHL By-Law 35 within the timetable imposed by the ongoing court process.

“There were three applicant groups that were interviewed by the Executive Committee and considered by the Board. One was Jim Balsillie’s. The second was a group headed by Anthony LeBlanc, involving Mr. LeBlanc, Keith McCullough, Todd Jordan and Daryl Jones. And the third group, headed by Jerry Reinsdorf, included as well Tony Tavares and John Kaites.

“After interviewing all of the applicants, the Executive Committee brought forward recommendations to the full Board of Governors.”

“Mr. Reinsdorf’s application was unanimously approved by all those Board members present and voting, subject to the League’s completion of its due diligence and review of the final transaction. In Mr. Balsillie’s case, it was the unanimous vote of all members present and voting that his application not be approved. With respect to the LeBlanc group, it was determined that, at this stage, since they’ve only recently begun the process, the application was incomplete and could not yet be acted on by the Board. However, the Executive Committee reported favorably on the LeBlanc group’s interview and endorsed the group’s continued efforts to complete a bid to purchase the franchise.

“We will so advise the Bankruptcy Court and we will move this process forward.”

If that settles, then by 31st the Phoenix Coyotes will find their savior in the hour of crisis. It is not known how the owner of the team Moyes would be reacting at this point, but as long as his team is saved from bankruptcy there is no need to worry. And this move has redeemed the chance of Balsillie to play any further role in acquiring the Phoenix Coyotes.

While the tug of war in acquiring the rights over Phoenix Coyotes goes on, other teams are busy making their team as strong as they can with complete management. The Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract with Rick Wilson, naming him associate coach today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced.  He will be looked upon to coach and groom the team’s defensive corps.

“With 20 years of NHL coaching experience, we believe Rick is exactly what this club needs as an associate coach and we are excited that he has elected to join our staff,” said Lawton upon making the announcement. “As our team develops, we will look to control the game from the blue line; Rick shares that philosophy, understands that concept and will teach our young defensemen to do just that. Additionally, his past relationships ensure he will fit seamlessly with head coach Rick Tocchet, assistant Wes Walz and goaltending coach Cap Raeder to give us a very cohesive staff which can lead our team to long-term success.”

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have re-signed goaltender Josh Tordjman to a one-year contract. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. In the time of crisis the team is trying to keep its loyal players stick to it as much as it could. He also announced the deal of one year with left wing Scottie Upshall.

“We are excited to have signed Scottie Upshall to a new contract,” said Maloney. “He performed exceptionally well for us last season after we acquired him from Philadelphia and we expect him to be an important player for us next season.”

Tordjman, 24, appeared in 51 games for San Antonio of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, posting a record of 25-22-2 with a 2.61 goals against average (GAA), a .909 save percentage (SV%) and six shutouts. He also appeared in two games for the Coyotes, making his NHL debut on Mar. 8 against the New York Islanders.

Tordjman set AHL career-highs in wins (25) and shutouts (6) while ranking 2nd in the AHL in shutouts and T-12th in wins last season. He was also named Reebok X-Pulse/AHL Goaltender of the Month for January after recording 9-4-0 with a 2.01 GAA, a .933 SV% and one shutout in 13 games.

In 131 career AHL games, Tordjman has posted a record of 62-54-0 with a 2.62 GAA, a .913 SV% and eight shutouts. He is also 3-3 with a 1.85 GAA and a .941 SV% in the postseason. Prior to signing with the Coyotes as a free agent on July 2, 2006, Tordjman spent four seasons (2002-2006) in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with Victoriaville and Moncton. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Tordjman led Moncton to the Memorial Cup Finals in 2006.

Upshall, 25, set new career-highs in goals (15), assists (19), points (34) and games played (74) last season. He began the season with Philadelphia before being traded to the Coyotes on March 4, 2009 along with a 2nd round draft choice in the 2011 Entry Draft in exchange for Daniel Carcillo. In 19 games with Phoenix, Upshall registered 8-5-13 and 26 PIM to rank 3rd on the Coyotes in scoring during that span. Upshall also earned a silver medal while representing Canada at the 2009 World Championship in Switzerland.

Meanwhile the New York Islanders has announced that they have re-signed defenseman Jack Hillen for two year deal. Hillen was originally signed by the Islanders on April 1, 2008, at the completion of his senior year at Colorado College.  He played in two games at the end of the Islanders’ 2007-08 season and recorded an assist, his first National Hockey League point.

Last season, Hillen played in 40 games for the Islanders, registering a goal and five assists for six points.  The tally was his first in the NHL and it came on March 5 against Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers. “We are happy to have Jack signed,” said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders.  “He proved to be a reliable defenseman and should continue to be a productive player for our team.”

Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today broadcasted the National Hockey League (NHL) club has named Brent Flahr (pronounced FLAYRE) Assistant General Manager. Flahr will manage all aspects of player development and assessment and help out Fletcher in player personnel decisions, contract negotiations and league related issues.

“Brent is one of the top talent evaluators in the NHL and was an integral member of Anaheim’s scouting staff on their 2007 Stanley Cup team,” said Fletcher. Flahr, 35, spent the last two seasons with the Ottawa Senators as Director of Hockey Operations. Prior to joining the Senators, he spent four seasons working as an amateur scout for the Anaheim Ducks including the 2007 Stanley Cup team. From 1996 to 2003, Flahr spent eight seasons as part of the Florida Panthers organization, serving in a variety of positions, including Assistant to the General Manager, and Scouting and Video Coordinator.

He was also the Director of Hockey Operations for the Panthers’ AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. Flahr has worked with Fletcher two times previously, spending three seasons together in Anaheim and six seasons in Florida. A graduate of Princeton University, he played four seasons of college hockey for the Tigers from 1993 to 1996. Flahr is a native of Comox, B.C. and currently resides in Kanata, Ontario with his wife, Dana.

Fletcher beforehand named Jim Mill Assistant to the General Manager on June 30 to help oversee the Wild’s hockey operations department and serve as the General Manager of the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros. Tom Thompson prolongs to serve as Assistant General Manager and oversees all aspects of the club’s amateur scouting department.

On the other hand the Ducks announced on Tuesday that they have named Pete Peeters as their new goaltending consultant. “Pete Peeters has a proven track record as one of the top goaltending consultants in the league,” said Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. “We are pleased to announce he’s joined the team.”

Peeters, 51 (8/17/57), joins the Ducks after having served as the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending coach for the last eight seasons. During his tenure, he helped Dwayne Roloson backstop the Oilers to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2006. Prior to joining Edmonton, Peeters spent four seasons as the goaltending coach for the Winnipeg Jets and Phoenix Coyotes from 1993-97.

The Edmonton, Alberta native captured the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender for the 1982-83 season. He won the trophy as part of a career year with Boston in which he placed second in Hart Trophy (League MVP) balloting behind Wayne Gretzky. He also recorded a league-leading 40 wins and a 2.36 goals-against average (GAA) that season. In his first full NHL season in 1979-80, Peeters earned a 29-5-5 record, helping the Philadelphia Flyers to a 35-game undefeated streak, which is the longest in NHL history. That same year, he helped the Flyers advance to the Stanley Cup Final, falling to the New York Islanders in six games. In his 13-year career (1978-91), Peeters appeared in 489 career games with Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, recording a 246-155-51 mark with a 3.08 GAA. He was also a four-time All-Star, appearing in the mid-season classic in 1980, 1981, 1983 and 1984.

It seems that the Tampa Bay Lightning will part ways with veteran forward Vaclav Prospal. According to reports it was Erik Erlendsson of Tampa Bay Online who reported that General Manager Brian Lawton informed Prospal’s agent Tuesday that his client would be placed on waivers unless he informs the team otherwise over the next 24 hours.

If Prospal determines he doesn’t wish to be placed on waivers, he would receive a buyout and would be free to sign with another team. If the 13th-season forward is put on waivers, that team claiming him would be responsible for the remainder of his contract — which amounts to $10.5 million.

“After fully evaluating our roster and our position in the salary cap world, we arrived at the decision to buy out Vaclav Prospal from his contract,” Lawton told Erlendsson. “We appreciate Vinny’s service to the Lightning, but in the best interest of the team, we believe a difficult decision needed to be made in this case and we are going to move ahead without him. We wish Vinny all the best.”

Prospal, 34, had signed a four-year deal with the Lightning in June 2008 after he was being re-acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers. He had 29 goals and 57 points in 62 games in 2007-08 before his trade to Philadelphia for defenseman Alexandre Picard and a 2009 second-round draft pick. His most prolific season with the Lightning was in 2005-06 when he compiled 25 goals and 80 points in 81 games. He had 19 goals and 45 points last season on a line with captain Vincent Lecavalier for much of the season.

If Prospal decides on for the buyout, he would receive two-thirds of the remaining value of the contract spread out over twice the length of the contract, forcing the Lightning to take a salary cap hit of $1.167 over the next six seasons.

Meanwhile veteran Bruins forward P.J. Axelsson has left the NHL, signing a four-year deal with Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League. “Anyone who was part of our hockey club and was inside the dressing room understood what “Axie” meant to our hockey club. He was a great leader. He is a great team person and … he served us well in all areas.”
– Bruins coach Claude Julien

Axelsson, who was Boston’s longest-tenured player, established himself as one the league’s top defensive forwards during his 11-year run with the team. The 34-year old tallied 103 goals and 184 assists over his career. “First and foremost, he had very good leadership skills,” Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli told the team’s web site. “He’s never been an elite player, but he’s a player that plays careful attention to the details of the game and he’s garnered a lot of respect as a result.”

“He’s a tremendous defensive player, very smart, and he played hurt a lot, so he gave us some tremendous service,” he said. “Obviously, he meant a lot [to the Bruins],” B’s head coach Claude Julien said.Although Axelsson is locked in with Frolunda next season, he could legally return to the NHL starting in 2011 if a deal presented itself.

The race to acquire Phoenix Coyotes seems to get interesting as the deadline date set by court and judge Bauman comes nearer. Just after former executive of RIM filed his bid to acquire the Coyotes on Friday, there was another group. A group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf submitted a bid by Friday’s deadline to buy the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes, and an offer by a second bidder was promised. Mr. LeBlanc and his group submitted a letter of intent, offering to buy the Coyotes for $150-million (U.S.) and keep the team in Phoenix.

“Southern Ontario can support another [NHL] team – there’s absolutely no question, and I think Jim would be a tremendous owner,” Mr. LeBlanc said from his home in Ottawa. “It’s just we don’t think that Phoenix is the right team because we think there’s a real savvy business case that can be had in Phoenix.” Mr. LeBlanc said he loved his years at RIM and considers Mr. Balsillie a mentor and a good friend. But the Coyotes purchase “is one of those rare opportunities that come up that we’re pretty excited about.”

Meanwhile Reinsdorf’s offer to buy the team for about $148 million was expected. Another group of investors headed by Canadian-born businessman Daryl Jones submitted a letter of intent to submit by Aug. 5, the date set for sale of the team. Both offers would keep the team in Glendale, where the Coyotes have lost tens of millions of dollars in recent seasons.

Thomas Salerno, attorney for Jerry Moyes, confirmed that the bid and letter were submitted. Redfield T. Baum, chief judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix, had set Friday as the deadline for submitting bids that would keep the team in Glendale.

If no bid is deemed acceptable, the court will shift to a second timeline for bids to relocate the team. That would reopen the door for Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie, who has offered $212.5 million to buy the team, contingent on moving the franchise to Hamilton, Ontario.

Details of the bid were not known because the court filings had not been made public. Reinsdorf, owner of baseball’s Chicago White Sox and the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, is part of a group of investors who have been negotiating with the city of Glendale to rework the lease agreement to play in Jobing.com Arena.

The NHL wants to keep the team in Arizona and believes the franchise can be successful with better management and a better product on the ice. Nearly 500 documents have been filed in the complex case since Moyes surprised the NHL by taking the team into Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 5. Moyes lists himself as the lead debtor, saying he is owed $300 million. Under the Balsillie deal, Moyes would get about $100 million.

But under the Reinsdorf proposal, Moyes would get little if anything because of the contention that the $300 million is lost equity and not a debt. That battle is expected to be waged in court filings next week with the deadline for objections next Friday.

President and General Manage of New York Rangers Glen Sather has announced that they club has agreed to terms of free agent defenseman Sam Klassen. This is really a great moment for Klassen.

Klassen, 20, skated in 72 games with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season, registering two goals and 18 assists for 20 points, along with 92 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in games played, goals and plus-minus rating (plus-27). Klassen ranked fourth among team defensemen in assists and fifth in points.  He also finished fourth on the club with 92 penalty minutes, while his plus-27 rating ranked seventh on the Blades.

The Watrous, Saskatchewan native recorded a season-high, three-game assist streak from November 22 against Brandon to November 30 at Prince George, collecting six assists over the span.  Klassen tied his career-high for most assists in a game with three assists in the final game of the streak.  In addition, he recorded one assist and 10 penalty minutes in seven postseason contests with Saskatoon. The 6-2, 200-pounder has skated in 182 career WHL games with Saskatoon, registering four goals and 47 assists for 51 points, along with 247 penalty minutes.

In 2007-08, Klassen established career-highs in assists (24), points (25) and penalty minutes (103). He also had a stretch of seven assists in eight games from November 13 against Brandon to November 30 at Lethbridge, and recorded a career-high, four-game assist streak (six assists) from February 20 vs. Prince Albert to February 26 against Lethbridge during the 2007-08 season.

Meanwhile Tampa Bay Lightning GM Brian Lawton announced today, “We are pleased to announce this agreement with Matt.  He is big, physical and really skates well for a man that stands 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. He played well for us last season and I expect his personal development to continue in 2009-10.”

The Tampa Bay Lightning avoided arbitration with defenseman Matt Smaby today, signing him to a two-year contract, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. “We are pleased to announce this agreement with Matt today,” said Lawton upon making the announcement. “He is big, physical and really skates well for a man that stands 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. He played well for us last season and I expect his personal development to continue in 2009-10.”

Smaby, 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, has played in 57 career NHL games, all with Tampa Bay. He has recorded four assists and averaged 17:22 in ice time during his career. Smaby made his NHL debut last season after being recalled on March 17, 2008. He has played in 149 AHL games with the Norfolk Admirals and Springfield Falcons, recording five goals and 28 points with 139 penalty minutes.

When Research In Motion co-chief executive Jim Balsillie offered to buy the Phoenix Coyotes and move the NHL team to Hamilton, Anthony LeBlanc was so excited he sent his old boss a letter of congratulations.

But soon Mr. LeBlanc, a ex- RIM executive, had different plans and he started looking more intimately at the Coyotes together with a couple of hockey-loving friends from the investment world. Yesterday, Mr. LeBlanc and his group submitted a letter of intent, offering to buy the Coyotes for $150-million (U.S.) and keep the team in Phoenix.

“Southern Ontario can support another [NHL] team – there’s absolutely no question, and I think Jim would be a tremendous owner,” Mr. LeBlanc said from his home in Ottawa. “It’s just we don’t think that Phoenix is the right team because we think there’s a real savvy business case that can be had in Phoenix.”

Mr. LeBlanc said he loved his years at RIM and considers Mr. Balsillie a mentor and a good friend. But the Coyotes purchase “is one of those rare opportunities that come up that we’re pretty excited about.”

His main partners are Keith McCullough and Daryl Jones, a couple of Canadians who played hockey together at Yale University and now run an investment firm in New Haven, Conn., called Research Edge. “We’re all good Canadian boys. The idea of owning an NHL franchise is a dream.”

Mr. LeBlanc, 39, left RIM last year after nine years with the company, where he was vice-president of global sales. At first, he pursued a few investment ideas and launched another hockey venture – bringing an Ontario Hockey League team to his home town of Thunder Bay. Mr. McCullough, who is also from Thunder Bay, heard about the OHL idea and offered to help, along with Mr. Jones.

They were on track with those plans until May 5, when Coyotes’ majority owner Jerry Moyes put the club into bankruptcy protection and announced a $212.5-million deal with Mr. Balsillie. Mr. LeBlanc wished Mr. Balsillie well and even joined his “Make it Seven” campaign.

But as Mr. Balsillie’s purchase got bogged down in Arizona bankruptcy court, Mr. LeBlanc and the others began thinking about the Coyotes. Their break came in late June when Judge Redfield T. Baum ordered an auction on Aug. 5 for bidders interested in keeping the club in Phoenix. The judge said if that auction didn’t produce a decent offer, another one will be held Sept. 10 for bidders, such as Mr. Balsillie, who want to relocate the club.

Mr. LeBlanc and the others dropped the OHL plans and sent a team of analysts to Phoenix to review the Coyotes’ books. They also met with Wayne Gretzky, the Coyotes’ coach and a co-owner, as well as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and officials from the City of Glendale, the Phoenix suburb that financed the arena where the Coyotes play. They even came up with a name for their enterprise, Ice Edge Holdings, and launched a website.

The group won the blessing of Mr. Bettman, and is hopeful of reaching a deal with the city on a new arena lease. It has also asked Mr. Gretzky to remain as coach and a part owner.

“They have the greatest asset that you could ever want in a hockey owner in Wayne Gretzky and he is not being utilized and he knows it,” Mr. LeBlanc said. “Wayne really, really wants to keep this team in Phoenix.”

Having a bona fide No. 1 goalie like Martin Biron gives the Islanders freedom to not rush Rick DiPietro back from injury and keep the team competitive. Nate Thompson, who filled a valuable role on the New York Islanders last season as a penalty-killer and depth player, has agreed with the club to a one-year, two-way contract, it was announced Saturday.

The 24-year-old forward was claimed off waivers from Boston, where he amassed four games of NHL experience during the 2006-07 season, and spent the entire season on the Islanders roster. He scored a shorthanded goal early in the third period at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 4 for his first NHL point, opening the scoring in a 2-1 win over the rival Rangers.

Thompson played in 43 games last season, scoring two goals and four points with 49 penalty minutes. “Nate made an immediate impact last season, fitting right into our team system,” Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said in a press release.  “He is the type of player every team looks for by giving an extra effort every time he steps on the ice.”

Thompson, a native of Anchorage, was a sixth-round selection by the Bruins in the 2003 Entry Draft. He played parts of four seasons for their AHL affiliate in Providence, totaling 35 goals and 80 points in 216 games, and was coached there by current Islanders coach Scott Gordon. Thompson served as captain of Providence during the 2007-08 season.

On the other hand Boston Bruins had signed the defenseman Morris. As one defenseman went out the door, the Boston Bruins reportedly have brought in another one. Hours after trading blueliner Aaron Ward to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Bruins reportedly have signed free agent Derek Morris. TSN reported Morris agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal.

Morris had career-lows of 5 goals and 20 points in 75 games with the Coyotes and Rangers last season, and he had 2 assists in seven playoff games with the Rangers. The Rangers acquired Morris at the trade deadline in exchange for Dmitri Kalinin, Petr Prucha and Nigel Dawes. While Morris suffered last season, his reputation as an offensively talented blueliner is shown by his 76 goals and 340 points in 793 games with the Flames, Avalanche, Coyotes and Rangers.

Calgary made Morris, a 6-foot, 221-pound Edmonton native, the 13th pick of the 1996 Entry Draft.