Fantastic hire by the Devils in coach Peter DeBoer. Fits their system perfectly. From what I’ve seen, similar to Lemaire. The team will be closer to how they were in the last half of last season as opposed to the first half.

It’s done. Steven Stamkos has signed for five years, cap hit of $7.5 million per year.

Andrew Cogliano has signed a three-year deal with the Ducks with a cap hit of about $2.5 million per season. With a big cap hit like that, you know that the Ducks will give him lots of ice time with quality linemates. If he fails, it will be his own fault (see O’Sullivan, Patrick) or because of injury (see Olesz, Rostislav). But he doesn’t get hurt, he’s an 82-game guy.

Osgood is retiring. Even the Detroit Free Press, who had reported that he would sign on for another year, is backtracking and now confirms that the announcement is about his retiring.

Colorado prospect Joey Hishon is still battling the effects of a concussion. As a center for a team that boasts four already, he was still a year off regardless.

Angus tweeted yesterday that he felt Michael Haley would be the next Konopka on the Island. That is to say, huge PIM. I tend to agree…

Five years ago yesterday, Garth Snow took over as GM of the Isles. And although things have moved slowly, I think he's done a fantastic job. Quite possibly the best group of players under the age of 24 in the entire league: Okposo, Tavares, Grabner, Bailey, Cizikas, Petrov, Kabanov, Strome, Niederreiter, Poulin, Hamonic, Wishart, De Haan, Koskinen and Nelson. With a budget that is low enough that they can keep them all when/if they become stars. I know it took long, but it was done right. And I don't think Isles fans have to suffer for too much longer.

Ottawa's defense: Karlsson, Gonchar, Kuba, Phillips, Carkner… and there is no way in hell Rundblad doesn't make this team. That leaves one spot, and I would give it to Cowen over Lee. So bye-bye Lee. Terribly disappointing at the pro level.

Word is that Alexei Yashin not only is unsigned in the KHL, but a team in the NHL has apparently offered him a contract. I posted my prediction for Yashin's numbers next season right here.

Media conference call later today for Chris Osgood. Retiring? It should be. But it's not. Back for another year, apparently. UPDATE: Some sources still claim he is retiring… I guess we won’t know for sure until later today.

The Jets have re-signed Blake Wheeler for two more years. Cap hit of $2.55 million.

Ottawa's top pick Mika Zibanejad highlights…

Keep firing me YouTube clips!