Quick Hits from around the league:

  • Eddie Lack has signed a two-year extension with the Vancouver Canucks. He appeared in 46 games with their AHL affiliate in Chicago last season, where he posted a 21-20-3 record with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage. If and when the Canucks trade Roberto Luongo, Lack could be an option as Cory Schneider’s backup should the team not sign a veteran understudy. However, he could benefit from more time in the minors to develop his game.
  • According to reports out of Russia, Evgeni Malkin has agreed to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL should the start of the 2012-13 NHL season be delayed by a lockout. Malkin’s agent, J.P. Barry, has confirmed that contract talks have occurred with teams in Moscow and Magnitogorsk that would see him play at home on a week-to-week basis if a lockout happens, but nothing has been finalized yet. NHL owners plan to lock out their players when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on September 15 if a new deal isn’t reached.
  • The Ottawa Senators signed defenseman Cody Ceci to a three-year, entry-level contract Thursday. Ceci, who the Senators selected with the 15th overall pick in the draft, spent last season with the Ottawa 67′s of the Ontario Hockey League, collecting 17 goals and 43 assists through 64 games. The 18-year-old has amassed 30 goals, 76 assists and 54 penalty minutes over 196 career games with the 67′s.
  • Speaking to Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis said the union is “very strong, together, more than last time,” when the entire 2004-05 was wiped out. He also provided some insight into the players position, which is that the current Collective Bargaining Agreement was one the owners pushed for, one they now say they can’t live with for another season. Still, “I think a lot is going to happen in the next month,” St. Louis told the paper. “Hopefully, we get a deal done.”

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