Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

2010 NHL free agency: Detroit, Florida, Ottawa, Columbus and Pittsburgh fill depth needs

The march through free agency continues and today saw a host of depth signings and re-signings by teams to help build up their reserves for a shot at the Cup next season. We’ll sum them up for you quickly.

Detroit re-signs Patrick Eaves, one year $750,000

Eaves did well for Detroit in limited duty on the fourth line and bringing him back at a reduced rate is good for the team, cap-wise. With the Wings not being ones to make overly drastic changes, it makes sense. Eaves is a solid fourth-line producer and seemed to have chemistry when working with Drew Miller and Darren Helm.

Florida signs Nathan Paetsch, re-signs Jason Garrison

Retaining a young defenseman in Garrison who may pan out as fifth or sixth defenseman was a nice move to keep the good things going they started with him last year as a rookie. In 39 games with the Panthers, Garrison scored 2 goals and had nine assists. and had a plus/minus of +5. The signing of Paetsch shows that the Panthers are making sure to keep the blueline depth solid should first-round pick Erik Gudbranson not be quite ready to jump to the NHL. Paetsch has spent time with the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets in his NHL career.

Ottawa signs forward Corey Locke to a two-year, two-way deal

You might not be too familiar with Corey Locke, but if you’re a fan of Canadian juniors you probably are and you’re excited that this is a homecoming of sorts. Locke, a former member of the Ottawa 67’s, spent most of last year with the Rangers AHL team in Hartford and did well scoring 31 goals and adding 54 assists. With an inexpensive two-way deal, Locke could find himself riding the shuttle between the AHL and Ottawa but he’ll get a fair shot to start with the Senators during training camp.

Pittsburgh signs defenseman Andrew Hutchinson

Hutchinson is the classic depth defenseman, a guy with great talent in the AHL and able to spot-start in the NHL when needed. Hutchinson spent last year with the Dallas Stars’ AHL affiliate in Austin, Texas and helped lead the Stars to the Calder Cup Finals. Should the Pens run into some really hard times with injuries, Hutchinson can fill in admirably.

Columbus signs goaltender David LeNeveu

Not all players go to Europe to never be heard from again. LeNeveu returns to North America after playing last year in Austria. He’ll be headed to AHL Springfield to play alongside prospect goaltender Gustav Wesslau and show him the ropes. LeNeveu was a standout goaltender at Cornell University and spent time in the past with the Phoenix Coyotes