Adrian Dater is reporting in his Avs blog that the team will not sign Parshin this year, as I hinted at below. He will remain in the KHL for at least one more year.

The Coyotes have signed Korpikoski to a two-year contract.

The big news of the day – Kari Lehtonen has signed a deal with the Thrashers.

Minor deals: Eric Fehr, Benoit Pouliot, Clayton Stoner, Robbie Earl, Patrick Kaleta accepted their qualifying offers. Jeff Schultz did not.

Carolina has signed UFA dman Andrew Alberts.

San Jose has signed Scott Nichol.

No surprise here – the Isles have signed John Tavares to a three-year entry-level deal. He will be their No.1 center this season and likely debut close to the 70-point mark. I have little doubt that they will try Okposo on one of the wings, so look for Okposo to flirt with 60.

Josh Green has signed to play in the SEL for Modo.

The Flyers have signed lanky pivot Mika Pyorala, a Finn who had 43 points in the SEL last year. Pyoral is listed at under 160 pounds, so I wouldn’t count on the 28-year-old in the NHL this year. But his forte is offense.

There is a rumor that the Avs are close to signing 23-year-old offensive Russian forward Denis Parshin. I had just recently knocked the 23-year-old down to 368 on my prospects list due to fading NHL hopes, but this will shoot him right into the top 230 – and possibly in the top 100 if he does officially sign. He’s small, but gifted.

John Glennon of the Tennessean is reporting that Antti Pihlstrom is waiting for a one-way contract offer before he signs.

Jeff Angus tells me that Brett Sterling’s contract is a one-way deal. He still figures Sterling will end up in the AHL and I tend to agree with him. However, he has the ability to be the next Kris Versteeg – all he needs to do is prove it day in and day out. Camp will show us.

The rumor in New York is that the Rangers have no intention of bringing Zherdev back this year at his demands. According to PuckCentral, Zherdev had this to say: “I would still like to play in the NHL, but I also haven't ruled out the option of moving to the KHL. It's possible that I'll remain in the Russian league for one year, then become a free agent and have the opportunity to negotiate with any NHL team.” When asked what the odds that he will play in the KHL, Zherdev said “Thirty percent, no less.”

Fluto Shinzawa gives you insight on Max Sauve’s training camp. (hint: sounds pretty good). Video is HERE. Sauve is ranked 81 on my prospects list.