Roundup: Dvorak, Booth back with Panthers

The signings began quickly after the free-agent market opened at noon ET on Wednesday.

The Florida Panthers showed some loyalty to a pair of goal-scoring forwards, as they signed left wing David Booth to a six-year extension worth $25.5 million and re-upped with Czech right wing Radek Dvorak on a two-year deal worth $3.4 million. Later in the day, the Panthers also agreed to a three-year deal with goaltender Scott Clemmensen for a reported $3.6 million.

Booth, 25, reached the 30-goal plateau for the first time in 2008-09, as he went 31-29-60 in 72 games. He has 53 goals in his first two full seasons in the NHL.

"We are excited to have reached a contract agreement with David Booth," said Randy Sexton, the club's assistant general manager. "David is coming off a career-best season and he is undoubtedly an important part of our club’s future. Since we drafted David in 2004, he has dedicated himself to improving his skill set each season. Through his hard work, commitment and passion for the game, he has become a role model for other players, as well as a fan favorite. He embodies every attribute of what a true Panthers player stands for and we look forward to his continued contributions within our organization for many years to come."

Dvorak, 32, had 15 goals (4 shorthanded) and 21 assists in 81 games for the Panthers in 2008-09. He signed as a free agent with Florida in 2007 after spending the 2006-07 season with the St. Louis Blues.

In 976 career games, Dvorak has 194 goals and 308 assists. He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the first round (No. 10) of the 1995 Entry Draft.

After losing Craig Anderson to the Colorado Avalanche, the Panthers pounced on Clemmensen, who filled in wonderfully for the New Jersey Devils when Martin Brodeur went down early in the season with a biceps injury.

Clemmensen, who turns 32 on July 23, went 25-13-1 with a 2.39 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage in 40 games for the Devils. It was the first time he made more than 13 appearances in an NHL season.

Cole stays put -- After helping the Carolina Hurricanes reach the Eastern Conference Finals, veteran forward Erik Cole signed a two-year deal to remain the club. Cole will make $2.8 million next season and $3 million in 2010-11.

The 30-year-old, who was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers in the second half of the season, had 15 points in 17 games down the stretch for Carolina. He had five assists in 18 postseason contests.

"Erik clearly had an instant impact on our team when he returned to Carolina in March," Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said. "He has been an important piece for our franchise for a long time and we are pleased that he has decided to remain at home in Raleigh."

Greene back with Devils -- Andy Greene won't be going anywhere, either. The New Jersey Devils quickly locked up the 26-year-old defenseman on a new contract. Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

Greene appeared in 49 games for the Devils last season and notched two goals and seven assists. He missed 20 contests during the regular season due to a broken hand. He had one assists in three playoff games.

Orr to Maple Leafs -- Gritty winger Colton Orr didn't have to wait long to find a new home. After spending the previous three seasons with the New York Rangers, the 27-year-old signed a four-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs worth $4 million.

Orr, a Winnipeg native, has 11 points and 549 penalty minutes in 245 NHL games with New York and the Boston Bruins.

Ducks sign Christensen -- Early Wednesday morning, the Anaheim Ducks announced the re-signing of center Erik Christensen on a one-year contract.

Christensen, 25, combined for 28 points (7 goals, 21 assists) between Anaheim and the Atlanta Thrashers. Christensen was acquired from the Thrashers in exchange for center Eric O’Dell on March 4.

Conklin's feeling Blue -- Will the St. Louis Blues reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2010? With Ty Conklin on board, they increased their chances.

Conklin -- whose teams have reached the Finals in three of the last four seasons (Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Detroit) -- reportedly signed a two-year deal with St. Louis.

The 33-year-old appeared in 40 games for the Red Wings this season and went 25-11-2 with a 2.51 goals-against average and six shutouts. He'll share the goaltending duties with Chris Mason, who won 27 games for the Blues and also posted six shutouts in 2008-09.

Anderson's an Av -- The Colorado Avalanche addressed their goaltending situation with the signing of Craig Anderson to a two-year deal worth $3.6 million according to multiple sources.

Anderson, 28, went 15-7-5 with a 2.71 GAA and a .924 save percentage in 31 games with the Florida Panthers. He'll battle for the No. 1 job with Peter Budaj, who signed a new one-year deal with the Avalanche on Monday.

Roloson to the Island -- The New York Islanders have signed Dwayne Roloson to a two-year contract worth a reported $5 million.

Roloson, who turns 40 in October, went 28-24-9 with a 2.77 GAA in 63 games for the Edmonton Oilers. He helped the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2006.

"I got what I wanted in a deal and I'm happy," Roloson said on TSN. "I wanted to try and get a two-year deal and that was one of the teams that offered a two-year deal. I wanted to get that for security reasons."

How much Roloson will play will obviously depend on the health of Rick DiPietro, who was limited to just five appearances in 2008-09.

"That's really up to the coaching staff … that's out of my control," Roloson said in regards to playing time. "I've known Ricky for a while. We'll have a great working relationship, I'm sure. I'm excited about it and I look forward to working with him."

Brashear to Broadway -- The Rangers didn't wait long to replace Orr, as they lured heavyweight Donald Brashear away from the Washington Capitals. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Brashear, 37, had 1 goal, 3 assists and 121 penalty minutes in 63 games for the Caps.

Montador to Buffalo -- The Buffalo Sabres shored up their blue line with the signing of veteran puck-moving defenseman Steve Montador to a two-year deal. Montador can also play right wing.

The 29-year-old had one assist in 13 regular-season games and three points in 11 playoff contests for the Boston Bruins after being traded from the Anaheim Ducks.

Walker's a Bolt -- Shortly after signing Mattias Ohlund to a seven-year contract, the Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed defenseman Lukas Krajicek to a one-year deal. Krajicek had 19 points in 71 games for the Lightning in 2008-09.

"Lukas is one of the elite skating defensemen in the NHL and he played admirably for us last season in a difficult blue-line situation," Lightning GM Brian Lawton said. "We are pleased to sign him for the 2009-10 season and we look forward to seeing him for training camp."

Tampa Bay also signed defenseman Matt Walker to a four-year deal worth $6.8 million, according to reports.

The 6-foot-3, 213-pound blueliner had one goal, 13 assists and 79 penalty minutes in 65 games for the Chicago Blackhawks. He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the third round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Ward stays in Nashville -- The Nashville Predators rewarded right wing Joel Ward for his breakout season with a new two-year deal worth $3 million.

After spending the entire 2007-08 campaign in the American Hockey League, Ward, 28, stepped up and had 17 goals and 18 assists in 79 games for the Preds last season.

Boucher back to Philly -- According to TSN, Brian Boucher is going back to where it all started: Philadelphia.

After a solid campaign with the San Jose Sharks (12-6-3, 2.18 GAA), the Rhode Island native signed a two-year deal worth $1.85 million with the Philadelphia Flyers, who used their first-round pick (No. 22) on the 32-year-old back in 1995. 

Boucher will split time with Ray Emery, who signed a one-year deal with the Flyers last month.

Habs sign Spacek -- One day after acquiring Scott Gomez from the Rangers, the Montreal Canadiens signed defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to a three-year deal worth $11.5 million, according to TSN.

The 35-year-old appeared in 80 games for the Buffalo Sabres last season, notching 8 goals and 37 assists. He has 73 goals in 701 career games.