NHL Central Division News

Detroit Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler has signed a two-year contract to play for Dynamo Moscow.The Detroit Free Press reports Hudler was offered as much as $5 million per year, tax exempt, to play in Russia.

Todd Marchant believes he has at least two good years left as an NHL player. "Several other teams," he said, were in agreement before the versatile forward agreed to a two-year contract Tuesday that will keep him in Anaheim for a total of $2.25 million.

Francois Beauchemin #23 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a pass during Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs against Detroit Red Wings on May 3, 2009 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

Reading a roll call of hockey's greatest forwards usually goes something like this: Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Rocket Richard, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Phil Esposito .

It has been a sour state of affairs in Detroit for the Red Wings of late. It's already been said numerous times that the loss of Hossa to Chicago, Samuelsson to Vancouver, Kopecky, and Conklin will hurt the Red Wings enough... by Elie Aintabi 32 reads Breaking News It has been a sour state of affairs in Detroit for the Red Wings of late.

Maxime Talbot holds the Stanley Cup following the Penguins' Game 7 victory over Detroit on June 12, 2009, in Detroit.

Kris Versteeg had four goals and eight assists in the playoffs last season. The Chicago Blackhawks re-signed Kris Versteeg to a three-year deal, the team announced Wednesday.

Jeff Woywitka chalked up a career-high 18 points last season. The Dallas Stars confirmed Tuesday the signing of free-agent defenceman Jeff Woywitka to a two-year, $1.3-million US deal.

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed forward B.J. Crombeen, the club announced Monday.

Forward Ville Leino re-signed with the Red Wings on Monday. The Detroit Red Wings re-signed free-agent forward Ville Leino to a two-year contract on Monday.

Two days after TSN broke the news that Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon failed to properly send qualifying offers five restricted free agents--Calder Trophy nominee Kris Versteeg, stand-out defenseman Cam Barker, and forwards Troy Brouwer, Ben Eager, and Aaron Johnson--the rumblings suggesting that the NHL would let the issue go because Tallon ...

Twenty-one months. That's how long Rocky Wirtz has been the chairman of the Blackhawks.

The free agent Mikael Samuelsson, right, has joined the Vancouver Canucks. The Swede has scored 86 goals in 466 NHL games.

Marian Hossa breezed into the Windy City yesterday, and inked a 12-year, $62.8 million contract with the up-and-coming Chicago Blackhawks that may change the balance of power in the Western Conference.

Forward Marian Gaborik #10 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 11, 2009 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired double Stanley Cup champion John Madden on a one-year contract on Thursday as they continued to beef up their team in free agent shopping.

Just Dany being Dany : What happens if the Sens can't trade Heatley? Ian Mendes gives us a little history on the subject of trade demands.

Rick Nash and the Columbus Blue Jackets have reached agreement on an eight-year contract extension through the 2017-18 season.

JUST when the global economy was expected to diminish spending for NHL free agents, Slovak wing Marian Hossa hit the open market again.

Matt Walker #8 of the Chicago Blackhawks waits in position down the ice during game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Calgary Flames on April 25, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.