Phoenix has re-signed Taylor Pyatt for two years. I’m indifferent about that one. He’s found a niche as a third liner.

The Pens have signed d-man Ben Lovejoy to a three-year deal.

Regarding Josh Harding – he’s an underrated goaltender whom we haven’t had the luxury of seeing because he’s been buried behind Backstrom. Last season, when he would have been moved, he was hurt. So his trade value has been absolutely shot. If Lars Eller and Ian Schultz for Halak sets the bar for a trade for a goalie, then Harding would move for a bucket of pucks and a pre-chewed piece of gum. The Wild know what kind of asset they have in Harding and they won’t move him unless they get fair value. I don’t see them getting fair value unless Harding can get in five or six starts early, and perform well. He won’t want to go somewhere and be ingrained as the long-term backup. He wants a shot as a starter – or at least he wants that shot in the foreseeable future. So going to Montreal and face the prospect of Carey Price being the man for the next 10 years is not appealing to him.

Interesting to see the big lineup of stars at the NHL Awards – Jay Mohr will be the host, the Goo Goo Dolls will perform, and other presenters will include Mark Wahlberg, Jamie Kennedy, Jerry Bruckheimer, Snoop Dogg and others. The league is getting back on the map in a way that we haven’t seen since the end of the Rangers- Canucks Stanley Cup Final over a dozen years ago.

I’m not sure why the Devils went out and acquired Jason Arnott. He’ll be 36 in the fall and he has missed 53 games in the last four seasons (13 per season). So they get a guy who in 69 games will get in the neighborhood of 55 points – and pay him $4.5 million. They have a player like that – Brian Rolston. Rolston was doing just fine until Ilya Kovalchuk arrived, scoring at that 55-point pace. He had just nine points in the last 28 games, but had 28 in 52 before that.

It looks like the NHL GM’s actually took a day off and enjoyed Father’s Day. But with five days to go until the first round of the 2010 Draft begins, look for a lot of action. I would bet money on Tomas Kaberle being moved by Saturday, and 50-50 odds of Jeff Carter being moved as well.

Further to my ramble yesterday regarding Carey Price, I can see the Habs going after a backup goalie who is capable of becoming the No.1 guy if needed, but otherwise would start 35 games. A guy like Chris Mason or Dan Ellis. Martin Biron is another option.

Happy Birthday today to Mr. Jefferson Angus. Enjoy the pops!

Actually, I’m sure the long form of his name is Jeffrey, but all my Jeff friends get called Jefferson…

Interesting how the Manitoba Moose and Columbus Blue Jackets swapped coaches. Scott Arniel will coach the Jackets, while Claude Noel will coach the Moose.

Updates throughout the day as news starts to trickle in…