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Saturday’s smaller signings: Anaheim, Carolina, St. Louis, and Winnipeg join the party

Kent Huskins,Marc-Edouard Vlasic

San Jose Sharks’ Kent Huskins (40) celebrates his first-period goal with teammate Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) against the Florida Panthers during an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011. (AP Photo/Steve Mitchell)

AP

It’s not always the big names that get their name on the Internet with free agency signings. There were a few other smaller signings today that might have an impact on their new teams next season.

Carolina signs forward Anthony Stewart; two years, $1.8 million

Anthony Stewart will stick around in the Southeast Division but also gets to stay in the U.S. south as well. The former Thrashers forward and brother to St. Louis’ Chris Stewart signs on for two years with the Hurricanes. Last season, Stewart added some goal scoring touch to his game along with a physical presence and had a career high 39 points last year (14 g, 25 a).

He’ll join a Hurricanes team that just lost Erik Cole to Montreal and will also likely lose Sergei Samsonov as well. Stewart’s $900,000 cap hit is well beyond friendly for Carolina who will have some more moves to make.

St. Louis signs defenseman Kent Huskins; One year, $1 million

Kent Huskins was a depth guy for the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks in recent years and now he’ll head to St. Louis to give them a hand along the blue line. Huskins is a physical guy and he’ll look to help out a defensive unit that’s teeming over with youth. Fresh faced players like Kevin Shattenkirk, Nikita Nikitin, Alex Pietrangelo, and Ian Cole could benefit having an experienced guy like Huskins around. Last season, Huskins played in 50 games for San Jose scoring two goals and adding eight assists along with a +8 rating and 12 penalty minutes. With the Blues he’ll provide them with a veteran body off the bench and insurance against injuries.

Winnipeg signs defenseman Randy Jones and forward Rick Rypien to one year deals

Randy Jones moves from one Southeast Division team to another, of sorts, signing a one year deal worth $1.15 million. He’ll give the Jets some solid veteran depth along the blue line but he’ll have to make sure to not get deked out of his breezers by Tyler Seguin next season as he did in the playoffs with Tampa Bay last year. The playoffs did not treat Jones well but he’ll look for a fresh start in the freshest of locations in Manitoba.

Rick Rypien signing on with Winnipeg for $700,000 is a bit more of a surprise as his season was a bit more tumultuous last year with Vancouver. Rypien’s season came to an end when he was given a leave of absence that lasted him the entire season shortly after going after a fan in Minnesota that was taunting him. Rypien has only played for Vancouver in his career and perhaps getting a fresh start in Winnipeg where he spent plenty of time in the minor leagues is just the change he needs.

Anaheim signs forward Andrew Gordon; One year, two-way deal $525,000

Another former Capitals forward with the last name Gordon finding a new address. This time mostly minor league forward Andrew Gordon. Gordon spent most of last season in the AHL with the Caps farm team in Hershey. There in 50 games he scored 28 goals and had 29 assists. In nine games with the Caps, Gordon tallied a goal and an assist. He’s a supreme depth guy for the Ducks and someone a bit more trustworthy to call on from the AHL should he not earn a job in Anaheim out of camp.