Done AND Done! Yashin has signed a deal to go back to Russia. There is NO out clause.

The Oilers have signed Joni Pitkanen to a contract. 

The Coyotes have a 1A goalie after signing David Aebischer to a deal. Mikael Tellqvist will be 1B. Neither goalie deserves to be a starter, but both are capable of sharing the starting role The Coyotes aren't interested in a top goaltender right now, as they are out of it for this season and are looking ahead. That is why they were the first team to draft a goalie this year (Joel Gistedt). They are content to rotate the starts and let the young team grow. Expect 50 starts for Aebischer this season. As for David LeNeveu – I feel he has slipped behind Josh Tjordman on the depth chart, but camp will determine who is No. 3. 

Ziggy Palffy has signed to play with HK36 Skalica of the Slovak League. As I made clear back in January, he was interested in returning to hockey, but it would be in Slovakia where he can be with his young family.

The Atlanta Thrashers have signed Chris Thorburn to a contract. Thorburn should play every game for them this year, unlike in Pittsburgh.

The Sabres have signed Dan Paille to a contract.

The Sharks have signed their top pick who they were tripping over themselves to get back in June, Logan Couture to a three-year entry level deal. He is going to go through a Setoguchi-like growth process and will be a few years away.

David Schlemko was never drafted, but the Coyotes invited the offensive rearguard to camp last summer. They didn't sign him at that point, but after 58 points in 64 games as an overager in the WHL, the 'Yotes signed him to a contract yesterday. Don't look for him to be on the team this year or next…if at all, but keep his name in mind.

SPECTOR is reporting that Miikka Kiprusoff has rejected a contract offer from the Flames and could be looking to test free agency next summer.  

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