Even though the Flames signed big Brian McGrattan, I don’t think he’ll hurt Prust’s PIM any. In fact, I don’t see McGrattan playing more than 45 games this year. Too much uncertainty.

The Pens have signed Jay McKee to help make up for the loss of Rob Scuderi. The latter had a huge breakthough defensively, whereas McKee seems to be on the decline, so I’m not sure if that makes up for the loss – especially when you consider that McKee misses 20 or 30 games a year these days.

The Avs have signed college star Justin Mercier to an entry level deal. He was their sixth round pick in 2006 and had 69 points in his last 82 collegs games. He is ranked 263 on my fantasy prospect forwards list, and has an upside of the mid-60s. He’ll be in the AHL this  year, barring a big camp.

The Avs also signed Kyle Cumiskey to a contract. He has shown signs of being a Top 4 d-man, but struggled with a shoulder injury last season.

The Panthers have signed Russian forward Evgeni Dadonov to an entry-level deal. He also signed a two-year deal with Traktor in the KHL a few months ago, so which is it? Don’t count on him in the AHL in the fall until this matter is clarified. Like all Russian prospects, there is a risk here. He is ranked 225 among prospect forwards, but only because I figured we wouldn’t see him for three years, if at all. If this contract is legal – he’ll shoot up my rankings pretty quickly, perhaps into the top 100.

Patrick Taverse has signed to play in Germany next year.

Rem Murray, an old high school friend and former NHL vet, will play in Italy next year, for those Stratford readers who are curious.