The New York Islanders are still trying to sort out some details before signing defenseman Bryan Berard but in the meantime general manager Garth Snow re-signed two of his players who were eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency.

On October 5th the Isles re-signed defenseman Radek Martinek to a three-year contract extension that’ll commence next season. Two days later, the club re-signed checker Richard Park to a two-year extension.

Newsday reports Park’s new deal is worth $1.5 million or $750K per season. Martinek’s is worth $4.5 million or $1.5 million per season.

Martinek has been injury-prone throughout his NHL career (he’s yet to play a full season) but he’s proven himself to be a poised blueliner with decent offensive skills.

Park isn’t a big forward but he’s an energetic checker and the Isles appreciate his experience and character.

As for Berard, it’s believed he’ll sign with the Islanders as early as October 8th once defenseman Freddy Meyer has cleared waivers and reports to their minor league affiliate, and could be in the lineup for the Isles matchup against arch-rival NY Rangers on Wednesday.  

After being cut loose by the Carolina Hurricanes this summer and failing to stick with the St. Louis Blues as a training camp invitee, David Tanabe is returning to the Hurricanes.

On October 6th Tanabe agreed to a two-year, two-way contact with the Hurricanes, paying him $600K this season at the NHL level and $100K if he’s demoted to the minors. The deal also pays him $900K at the NHL level in 2008-09.

Tanabe was once one of the Hurricanes most prized prospects, but he’s failed to match the numbers of his sophomore season in 2000-01 (7 goals, 29 points in 74 games, 2 goals in six playoff games). He was dealt to the Phoenix Coyotes in the summer of 2003 and to the Boston Bruins in November 2005.

The Hurricanes signed him in August 2006 as an unrestricted free agent but was unable to reach an agreement with the club after the 2006-07 season and wound up again as an unrestricted free agent.

It’s not surprising that he’s back with the Hurricanes for another go-around, as there is legitimate concern over the club’s blueline depth, particularly with the aging Glen Wesley and battered veterans Bret Hedican and Frantisek Kaberle.  

Tanabe should see plenty of ice time with the ‘Canes this season.

- The hard work of four unrestricted free agents that were training camp invitees paid off this week as they were awarded contracts for this season.

On October 3 2007 the Boston Bruins signed forward Glen Metropolit to a one-year contract believed around the league minimum salary.

After spending three years in Europe Metropolit returned to the NHL last season split between Atlanta and St. Louis, becoming an unrestricted free agent this past summer.

Although he’s considered a small forward by NHL standards Metropolit’s strength is his versatility, as he can play center and wing. He’ll likely center the Bruins fourth line but could see third line duty should injuries strike their roster this season.

Meanwhile the Philadelphia Flyers signed forwards Jim Dowd and Jesse Boulerice to one-year contracts, Boulerice for the league minimum of $475, 000, Dowd for slightly higher at $500,000.

Boulerice, who had 47 PIMs in six pre-season games, was obviously signed for his pugilistic skills and will take over the role of club enforcer vacated by Todd Fedoruk, who departed last summer via unrestricted free agency.

It appeared doubtful a couple of weeks ago that Dowd would land a job with the Flyers but GM Paul Holmgren noted he had a good training camp. A rash of injuries during pre-season might also have played a role in his signing.

Dowd will see fourth line duty where his checking skills and experience should make him a valuable depth addition for a rebuilding Flyers team.

On October 4th 2007 the St. Louis Blues signed winger Mike Johnson to a one-year contract.

A couple of weeks ago few observers expected Johnson to make the Blues but the club’s demotion of Petr Cajanek opened up some salary space for Johnson, a speedy checking line forward who also possesses a decent scoring touch.

Johnson played last season with the Montreal Canadiens, netting 31 points in 80 games and with a +7 rating was one of only a handful of Habs on the happy side of the plus/minus stat in 2006-07.

 

- Scratch another player off next summer's unrestricted free agent market.

The New York Islanders announced Friday (October 5th) the signing of defenseman Radek Martinek to a three-year contract extension. The new deal starts next season. Martinek had been eligible for unrestricted free agent status next July.

Financial terms have yet to be disclosed.