Gleason signs extension
One of the big names rumoured to be in the mix as the NHL trade deadline approaches appears to be off the market.
Rugged blue-liner Tim Gleason has signed a four-year contract extension with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The contract will pay the former first-round pick $3.5 million US next season, $4.5 million in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and $3.5 million in 2015-16.
Reports indicate Gleason has a nomovement clause during the first two years of the deal.
Gleason was slated to head to unrestricted free agency.
The 29-year-old was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators — 23rd overall — in the 2001 NHL draft. Gleason is in his eighth season in the NHL.
Grabovski first star of week
Toronto Maple Leafs centre Mikhail Grabovski is the NHL’S first star of the week.
Grabovski tallied one goal and four assists in two games during a shortened week prior to the all-star break. Playing in his fourth season with the Maple Leafs, Grabovski increased his season scoring total to 16 goals and 16 assists in 43 games.
Nashville Predators netminder Pekka Rinne was the NHL’S second star after extending his winning streak to nine games by posting a 2-0 record, 1.00 goals-against average and .961 save percentage.
Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson tallied goals in each of the Senators’ two games leading into the all-star weekend to earn third-star honours.
Zajac awaits injury update
New Jersey Devils forward Travis Zajac, out since Jan. 2 with an Achilles injury, has yet to resume skating, general manager Lou Lamoriello said.
Zajac has only played in eight games this year and underwent surgery for an injur ed Achilles over the summer. Lamoriello said the team is still waiting for a Winnipeg doctor to give Zajac the green light to return to the ice, but he expects the centre to be back in the lineup at some point this season.
Flames grab Jet
The Winnipeg Jets have traded forward Akim Aliu to the Calgary Flames for blue-liner John Negrin.
Negrin, 22, has played in 26 games with the AHL Abbotsford Heat this season, earning one assist and 12 penalty minutes.
The Vancouver native has played in three career NHL games with the Calgary Flames, with one point.