The dog days of summer drag on, but hey, we are almost into August, so that’s something.
The biggest piece of news yesterday was the New York Rangers avoiding arbitration with Ryan Lindgren by signing the 26-year-old defenseman to a one-year, $4.5 million contract. Lindgren appeared in 76 games last season, posting three goals, 14 assists and 36 PIM.
Our division rivals in Montreal took care of some business by inking restricted free agent defensemen Arber Xhekaj and Justin Barron to new contracts. Xhekaj signed a two-year bridge deal that carries an average annual value of $1.3 million. Barron signed a two-year contract worth a total of $2.3 million.
The Calgary Flames signed goaltender Dustin Wolf to a two-year deal worth $1.7 million. Wolf’s new contract is two-way in the first year. The 23-year-old is expected to share the net with Dan Vladar this season.
Goaltender Nico Daws signed a two-year contract worth $1.625 to remain with the New Jersey Devils organization. Daws went 9-11 in 21 games with the Devils last season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins inked goaltender Sergey Murashov to an entry-level contract. Murashov was selected in the fourth round (118th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft.
And finally, former Florida Panthers forward Eric Staal signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes. Staal spent the 2022-23 campaign with the Cats, appearing in 76 regular season and 21 postseason games as the team advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. Staal scored the first goal of the series, beating Adin Hill with Florida shorthanded.