Flames sign Andrew Ference to extension

The Calgary Flames have signed defenceman Andrew Ference to a three-year contract extension.

Ference, 27, has been a mainstay on the Flames defence after arriving in a February 2003 trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On the smallish side at 5-foot-10, 196 pounds, Ference had a career-high 31 points in 2005-2006, though he also posted a minus-12 rating.

Ference has 87 points and a minus-25 rating in 333 career games with the Flames and Penguins.  He also has 17 points and a plus-8 rating in 51 career playoff games.

Islanders sign Dunham to backup goaltending job

The New York Islanders have signed goaltender Mike Dunham to a one-year contract. The nine-year veteran joined the Islanders as a training camp invitee earlier in the month and played in the teams’ first three pre-season games.

“It became clear in the past few weeks that signing Mike was a priority,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow, a teammate of Dunham’s at the University of Maine. “He possesses all the characteristics that we look for in a player and has already shown that he’ll be an asset to our club.”

Over a nine-year NHL career with New Jersey, Nashville, the Rangers and Atlanta, the 34-year old Dunham has a goals-against average of 2.69 and a .908 save percentage. Last season with the Thrashers, Dunham was 8-5-0 with a 2.77 GAA and .893 save percentage.

Stars name Brendan Morrow new Captain

Brenden Morrow was named the newest captain of the Stars on Friday, taking over the role held by Mike Modano since 2003.

The 27-year-old has spent his entire career in Dallas after being taken by them in the first round of the 1997 draft.

”I really believe in this organization and the commitment they’ve made to me and to winning,” he said.

In 451 career NHL games, Morrow has 120 goals and 149 assists for 269 points and 748 penalty minutes. He is the only current Dallas player who has posted three straight 20-goal seasons.

Hurricanes let go of blue chip prospect Jack Johnson

The Carolina Hurricanes have traded the rights to defenceman Jack Johnson and defenceman Oleg Tverdovsky to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenceman Tim Gleason and centre Eric Belanger. The Hurricanes were in need of some immediate defensive help after losing Aaron Ward to free agency and Frantisek Kaberle to shoulder surgery. Johnson did not want to sign with Carolina this season because he wanted to return to the University of Michigan.

Jackets sign Zherdev to 3 year deal

The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed right winger Nikolai Zherdev to a $7.5 million, three-year deal on Thursday. He will earn $1.75 million this season, $2.5 million in 2007-08 and $3.25 million in 2008-09. ”I am very happy to remain a Blue Jacket and want to thank the organization for their commitment and support,” said Zherdev. ”I am excited about our team and look forward to joining my teammates in Columbus as soon as possible.”

Kings and Cloutier agree to 2 year extension

The Los Angeles Kings have signed goalie Dan Cloutier to a US$6.2-million, two-year contract extension.

Cloutier will earn $2.55 million this season, the last year of his old deal signed in Vancouver, before his new contract kicks in and pays him $3.1 million per season in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Niittymaki out with hip injury

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Antero Niittymaki suffered a torn labrum in his left hip during Tuesday’s morning practice.

“Antero Niittymaki tore the labrum in his left hip today at the morning skate,” said Flyers GM Bobby Clarke. “The MRI shows that there is a tear and the MRI will be sent overnight to Dr. Thomas Byrd in Nashville, Tennessee. We won’t know if surgery is necessary until tomorrow afternoon. If surgery is necessary, it will be six to eight weeks before he is back playing.”

Goaltender Martin Houle has been recalled from the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, and will available to play in Tuesday night’s game against the Washington Capitals at the Wachovia Center.

Klesla suspended 2 games

Columbus defenceman Rostislav Klesla has been suspended two regular-season games for his “clip” of Chicago forward Tuomo Ruutu, which left the Finnish forward with a knee injury that will keep him out of the lineup for at least four weeks.

Klesla was assessed a five-minute clipping major on the play in a pre-season game last week.

Jagr cleared to practice

Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr has been cleared to practice for the first time since undergoing surgery on his dislocated left shoulder nearly five months ago.

When Jagr might be able to play in a game will be determined by Renney and the rest of the coaching staff. Jagr will need to build up his endurance and practice time before taking the next step.

At the start of training camp, Renney indicated it was doubtful that Jagr would play in any exhibition games before the Oct. 5 season opener against Washington. But Monday, Renney said he hopes to get last season’s MVP runner-up into the lineup before then.

Lightning place Sean Burke on waivers

Burke, 39, is contracted to earn $1.6-million this season, but is coming off a lacklustre 2005-2006 season when he posted a 2.80 goals against average and .895 save percentage in 35 games with the Lightning.

As a player over 35 years of age, Burke’s contract will count against the Lightning cap this year, even if he retires or plays in the minors.

Burke has played 797 career games in 16 seasons with New Jersey, Hartford, Carolina, Philadelphia, Vancouver, Florida, Phoenix and Tampa Bay, recording a 2.95 goals against average and .902 save percentage with a 318-331-105 record.  He’s also appeared in three NHL All-Star games.