Nikita Nikitin has inked a two-year, $4.3 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets according to the Columbus Dispatch. He’ll earn $1.8 million next season and $2.5 million in 2013-14. Nikitin was acquired from St. Louis on November 11th and he was a pleasant surprise on his new team. He registered seven goals and 25 [...]

With Tim Thomas out for the season, Tuukka Rask  now he gets to step in as the No. 1 netminder on a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. According to NESN is sounds as if he’s close to getting a long term deal with the club as well. The Finnish phenom is a restricted free agent this summer, but he’s clearly the Boston [...]

Quick Hits from around the league: The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed netminder Riku Helenius to a two-year contract. GM Steve Yzerman said the deal will officially be announced at some point today. According to a report, the first year of the deal is a two-way agreement and the second year carries a one-way pact that [...]

The Boston Bruins could be setting the table in preparation of making a larger goaltending transaction in the next few weeks. By signing goalie Niklas Svedberg to an entry-level contract, the Bruins add some insurance at the AHL level, in case more shuffling is to happen in Boston. As discussed by NESN’s Douglas Flynn, Svedberg’s presence could make [...]

Quick Hits from around the NHL: Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom is still in the process of deciding whether he will be back on the ice next season or retire, the Detroit News reports. The Toronto Maple Leafs may make a strong push to land Columbus Blue Jackets star Rick Nash, and they may be able to put in a [...]

Forward Joonas Rask, the younger brother of Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask, has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators. The Savonlinna, Finland native was a seventh-round pick (No. 198) by the Predators in the 2010 NHL Draft. Rask, 21, recently completed his fourth season with Ilves of the Finnish League (SM-Liiga), posting 4 goals and 15 [...]

After re-signing forward Shawn Thornton to a two-year extension, Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli told NESN he won’t negotiate another potential deal until after the season. “No, the rest we’ve put off until after the season,” Chiarelli said on Monday. “I’ve spoken to all of them, and I want them to focus on hockey, so we’re not doing any [...]

Update: ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reports, Marty Turco has cleared waivers and joined the Boston Bruins. With Tuukka Rask expected to be out four to six weeks with an abdominal injury, this gives Claude Julien’s squad an experienced netminder on the roster to serve as the temporary backup to 38-year old Tim Thomas. Joe Haggerty is reporting via Twitter that the Boston Bruins have signed [...]

Quick hits from around the league: Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston  Globe tweeted to Expect Tuukka Rask update late afternoon. Not surprised if he’s played last game of year. After he was hit with a shot, x-rays on Zach Parise‘s left hand revealed no broken bones. According to Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger, the Devils’ captain should be good to [...]

The latest trade rumors around the league regarding Rick Nash: February 26th:  Katie Strang of ESPNNY tweeted “Doesn’t appear Rangers are willing to concede to CBJ demands. At this point, NYR considered out of running for Nash.” Bob McKenzie via twitter “Obviously possible Rick Nash could move by tomorrow but it were close in any way [...]