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Tuesday’s signings and re-signings: Kings keep Richardson, Penguins sign two players

Minnesota Wild v Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Brad Richardson #15 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the Minnesota Wild at Staples Center on February 24, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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Today’s depth signings might not blow you away, but at least there’s one more arbitration hearing you can cross off the schedule after today’s small-time deals. Colorado, Florida, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis all got into the act today and there’s even a former 50-goal scorer in the mix as well.

Los Angeles re-signs Brad Richardson; Two years, $2.35 million

Brad Richardson’s semi-breakout year last season has earned him a sweet new two-year deal with the Kings and he’ll have the room needed to grow next season. Richardson had seven goals and 12 assists in 68 games with L.A. last season but did his part in the playoffs to bust out and get noticed. In the Kings’ six playoff games, Richardson had two goals and three assists and asserted himself well against the Sharks. The Kings are hoping that confident play Richardson had in that series returns for full time duty next season and can give their third and fourth lines a boost. Richardson was due to head to arbitration with the Kings, but with his new deal, they’ll stay out of the courtroom.

Pittsburgh re-signs Dustin Jeffrey for two years, signs enforcer Steve MacIntyre for one year, two-way deal

Dustin Jeffrey took advantage of the time he saw last year while the Pens dealt with countless injuries to their forward units. In 25 games, Jeffrey scored seven goals and added 12 assists and showed some skills that could see him end up on one of the Penguins top two lines next season. As a player who came up in the Pens system, he’s an ideal guy to keep around especially on a two-way deal in his first year. Making $575,000 per year makes him an even better fit.

Steve MacIntyre will help the Penguins fill the hole left by Eric Godard signing in Dallas earlier today. MacIntyre is a vicious fighter and doesn’t offer much skill aside from that. With his deal being a two-way deal, the Pens can call him up and send him down at will. In 34 games last year, MacIntyre had one assist and 93 penalty minutes.

Colorado re-signs T.J. Galiardi and signs Patrick Rissmiller to one-year deals

T.J. Galiardi broke out as a legit two-way player two years ago in Colorado scoring 15 goals and 24 assists while also playing a solid defensive game. Last season, he was injured. Often. In 35 games he had seven goals and eight assists for the Avalanche and Colorado opted to keep him around for one more year. If he stays healthy, he’ll help the Avs get their act together once again.

Patrick Rissmiller, on the other hand, will be the first guy called up from Lake Erie of the AHL and be a depth contributor when called upon. He’s spent the last few seasons in the AHL with Hartford, Rochester, and Chicago. Last season he played in nine games with the Florida Panthers and had one assist.

Florida signs defenseman Tyson Strachan; One year, two-way deal $750,000/$150,000

Tyson Strachan adds a tough, physical defenseman to the Panthers coffers and a guy that’s not afraid to drop the gloves if need be. Last year with St. Louis, Strachan had one assist and 39 penalty minutes in 29 games. With the Panthers needing to add more depth to their blue line, Strachan gives them a younger guy to grow in either Florida or San Antonio in the AHL. With what Florida’s got going on with their roster, expect Strachan to start the year in the AHL and get the call in case of injury.

St. Louis signs forward Jonathan Cheechoo; One year, two-way deal

It’s been just five years since Jonathan Cheechoo scored 56 goals with the San Jose Sharks, but ever since then, his career has fallen on hard times. He was sent to Ottawa as part of the Dany Heatley trade in 2009 and ever since 2007-2008 he’s struggled to find his goal scoring touch that brought him to such great heights in 2005-2006.

Last season he scored 18 goals for the AHL Worcester Sharks after being let go by the Senators and while he’s destined for Peoria in the AHL with the Blues, if everything breaks in a lucky way for both Cheechoo and the Blues he could help their offense. Don’t hold your breath on that though.