The Coyotes placed Nigel Dawes on waivers and the Calgary Flames picked him up. This is a great opportunity for him to turn his career back around with a second-line job. I still think that Boyd will be in the top six, and I would probably hurt Glencross as a dark horse consideration… unless Dawes blows this. I think Dawes will be fine – it was only one bad year. Backlund’s odds of making the squad took a real blow – I’ll have to redo the Calgary section of the Fantasy Guide (out in 16 days).

Some signings to report – TB has signed Lauri Tukonen, so it looks like he’s on his way back to North America. They also signed Blair Jones. Oilers have signed goalie Dubnyk and d-man Dean Arsene. The Caps have indeed signed Jeff Schultz after all.

The Preds signed Peter Olvecky as a UFA. All he will do is muddy the waters in terms of where Jones and Hornqvist will play this year. Jones will probably be on the third line, but Hornqvist will have to fight for a second-line spot.

The Oilers signed Toni Rajala to an entry-level contract. He is still several years away, but this quick and early signing makes me believe that he is closer than I thought. He is currently 271 on my prospects list, but moves up with the news.

News on the Jiri Hudler front: the KHL will void their contract with him if the Red Wings accept the arbitrator’s decision. The contract will only remain if Hudler becomes a UFA, which is great news for Hudler owners. Full story here.

Sergei Zubov has reportedly resolved not to play for Dallas next season. This is not unexpected and I already have Matt Niskanen taking the next step. It won’t be too big a step though, as Niskanen played without Zubov last year anyway (remember – Zubov missed most of the season, so his absence won’t change a thing).

The Daily Herald is reporting that Patrick Sharp, Dustin Byfuglien, Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker are all being shopped.

The article itself, linked here, is pretty one-sided and anti-Tallon. To the point where it looks like president McDonough called in a few favors to get some positive press. So I’ll counter that political crap with a response to a couple of items noted.

1) All teams take chances on players like Salmelainen and Hamilton – you need some failures to find some successes.

2) And yes – a Calder nominee would have gotten $3 million per year no matter what, and first-round picks (Barker) who are established NHLers also get $3 million a year, so Tallon didn’t cost the team in that sense.

3) The writer – Barry Rozner – also criticized his letting role players walk. Huh? I still like the move he notes of trading Moen for Holmqvist. At the time, Holmqvist had potential to be everything Moen was defensively, but also with some offense added. And as for letting Shawn Thornton walk – Shawn Thorntons are a dime a dozen. Don’t know how to add role players? He added one of the best last year in Pahlsson.

4) Rozner criticizes Tallon even further by making fun of the roster he gave Trent Yawney – what a terrible point. Tallon inherited that roster.

Bottom line Mr. Rozner – the team itself is now very very good right down to their farm system and they are coming off a Final Four appearance at an obscene average age.

The Panthers signed 27-year-old undrafted free agent center Jamie Johnson to a one-year deal. The former AHLer spent last year in Finland, and he’ll return to the AHL again this year I”m sure.

The Habs have signed Shawn Belle and Guilaume Latendresse to contracts. Belle’s was a two-way.

The Flyers added some great depth in Krystofer Kolanos, who has proven that when he is called up for brief action, he produces fairly well. So the team is covered if a Carter or Richards ever go down for two or three games.

Bourque, Wilson, Morrisonn and Pinizzotto also signed the Q.O. from Washington.

Joe Motzko has signed to play in the KHL next year.

New teammates: Joe Thornton vs. Scott Nichol: