NHL: Kovalchuk finally a Devil, Niemi a Shark, and other News

Ilya Kovalchuk and Devils finally got a contract OK’ed by the league after the original contract being voided by the league. Kovalchuk new deal will pay him 100 million for 15 years. Kovalchuk is currently 27 years and has 642 points in 8 NHL seasons.

The Blackhawks Stanley Cup winning goalie Antti Niemi signed with the San Jose Sharks. The Blackhawks couldn’t afford to bring back Niemi after arbitration ruling awarded Niemi 2.75 million. The Blackhawks before the ruling had made trades, and cuts to slim down there tight cap situation but to no avail. Antti Niemi signs with the sharks and will replace longtime Shark goalie Evgeni Nabokov. It is not known he is the starter since they originally slated offseason acquisition Antero Nittymaki to start. Niemi signed with the Sharks a one year contract for 2 million.

Other Signings

C Jeff Halpern signed with the Montreal Canadiens (1 year, 600,000)

G Carey Price re-signed with the Montreal Canadiens (2 years, 5 million)

LW Fredrik Modin signed with the Atlanta Thrashers (1 year, 800,000)

RW Chris Stewart re-signed with the Colorado Avalanche (2 years, 5.75 million)

LW Mike Comrie signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins (1 year, 500,000)

D Aaron Johnson signed with the Nashville Predators (1 year, 550,000)

C Doug Weight signed with the New York Islanders (1 year, 850,000)

Trades

The Nashville Predators acquired D Grant Lewis from the Atlanta Thrashers for RW Ian McKenzie.

Other News

D Chris Chelios retires from the NHL after 26 seasons. Chelios has taken a job with the Red Wings front office and is to assist in player development as well as acting as an ambassador.

RW Jonathan Cheechoo was invited to Training Camp for the Dallas Stars

C Kyle Wellwood was invited to Training Camp for the Phoenix Coyotes