RALEIGH, NC – Ron Francis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Zach Boychuk on a one-year, two-way contract. The deal will pay Boychuk $600,000 in the NHL or $200,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level in 2015-16, with a guarantee of $250,000.

"This will be Zach's eighth season in our organization," said Francis. "He's a reliable depth forward who we know is capable of contributing offensively at either level."

The Washington Capitals have re-signed center Evgeny Kuznetsov to a two-year, $6 million contract, general manager Brian MacLellan announced Monday.

Kuznetsov, who became a restricted free agent July 1, had 37 points (11 goals) in 80 games with the Capitals in 2014-15, his first full season in the NHL. In 14 games in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he had seven points (five goals), and his 42 shots on goal were second on the Capitals to Alex Ovechkin's 61.

Kuznetsov, 23, scored the game-winning goal against the New York Islanders in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference First Round; he had two goals and an assist in Game 5 after being held without a point the first four games of the series.

Nazem Kadri signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Sportsnet reported Kadri will receive $4.1 million.

Kadri, who turns 25 on Oct. 6, had 18 goals and 39 points in 73 games for the Maple Leafs last season. He was a restricted free agent.

"I think they've shown trust in me with this [contract]," Kadri told the Toronto Sun on Sunday. "Not going to salary arbitration says a lot. I've had a great summer, I'm going to come to camp in good shape. I think I can become better as a player and as a person and stay focused."

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the club has signed defenseman Andre Benoit to a one-year, two-way contract.

Benoit, 31, dressed in 59 regular season games with the Buffalo Sabres last season, posting nine points (one goal, eight assists) and 20 penalty minutes.

Overall, the 5-foot-11, 192-pound has appeared in four NHL seasons, including stints with Ottawa, Colorado and Buffalo. He has amassed 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists) and 60 penalty minutes in 179 career regular season games, as well as four assists and six penalty minutes in 12 career postseason games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday that the club has signed forward Shawn Matthias to a one-year contract.

Matthias, 27, skated with the Vancouver Canucks last season and finished tied for third in goals scored (18) while collecting a total of 27 points (18-9-27) and 16 penalty minutes. The Mississauga, Ontario native has appeared in 408 career NHL games between Vancouver and the Florida Panthers and has collected 131 points (69 goals, 62 assists) to go along with 137 penalty minutes. Matthias was originally drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round (47th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Free agent forward Joel Ward signed a three-year contract with the San Jose Sharks on Friday.

"Originally when the season ended, my first thought was to maybe head back [to the Washington Capitals]," Ward said, "and just kind of more and more into the summer and free agency period, it just seemed unlikely.

"So I knew that was a possibility, and when I got a chance to talk to [Sharks coach Peter [DeBoer], that really helped me sway of being in a good situation."

The Capitals signed forward Justin Williams on Wednesday and traded for forward T.J. Oshie on Thursday, making Ward expendable.

His contract is worth $9.75 million, an average annual value of $3.25 million, according to Sportsnet.

"It was a group that wanted me and it's always good to feel loved," Ward said. "I embraced it, I loved it, and I thought it was a great opportunity."

COLUMBUS -- It wasn't all sand, sun and fun for Brandon Saad on his vacation this week while he got over the shock of being traded by the Chicago Blackhawks and awaited word on a contract from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

But Saad started the holiday weekend by signing a six-year contract with Columbus reportedly worth $36 million.

"It's nice to be on the beach and in the sun," Saad said from Myrtle Beach, S.C. "At the same time, it's always in your mind you want to get things done and be on the team and excited to go, so that's been a little stressful."

Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan felt he improved his team Wednesday by signing right wing Justin Williams to a two-year, $6.5 million contract.

On Thursday, MacLellan's focus turned back to getting Washington's three restricted free agents -- goalie Braden Holtby and forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov and Marcus Johansson -- under contract to ensure that the Capitals have a chance to be a Stanley Cup contender next season.

They have approximately $14.4 million in NHL salary-cap space to re-sign the three restricted free agents.

"Holtby, Kuznetsov and Johansson are priorities," MacLellan said.

EDMONTON -- A few months ago, Andrej Sekera may not have considered the Edmonton Oilers as a possible free-agent destination. But the bounce of a lottery ball, a change in management and a new coach suddenly made Edmonton appealing to the veteran defenseman.

Sekera, 29, signed a six-year, $33 million contract with the Oilers on the first day of NHL free agency Wednesday.

"I looked at the roster and I saw the team they had, the coach and the management," Sekera said. "When I saw what kind of players they had there, it made my choice very easy. They have a lot of skill, a lot of speed and a lot of smart players. They have a good coach, a good GM and a good goalie. It was a good place for me to play with my style of hockey, so that's why I chose Edmonton."

ST. LOUIS - The Blues have agreed to terms on a new contract with defenseman Robert Bortuzzo.

Contract terms were not yet available.

Bortuzzo was traded to the Blues in a deadline day trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 2. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound defenseman played in 13 games with the Blues last season, scoring one goal and one assist.

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