Things may be quiet on the NHL trade front (despite the plethora of rumors) but there's still activity on the free agent side.

- The Detroit Red Wings recently re-signed veteran checking center Kris Draper to a three-year contract extension worth $4.75 million. TSN.ca breaks the deal down as $1.85 million for 2008-09, $1.65 million for 2009-10 and $1.25 million for 2010-11.

Jaded observers will be surprised that Draper accepted much less from the Wings than he would've received on the open market next summer. Despite his age (36) Draper is still considered one of the best defensive centers in the game and is a former Selke trophy winner.

Most likely the desire to stick with the team he's spent most of his career with (helping them win three Stanley Cups) plus an unwillingness to uproot his family at this late stage of his career were the significant factors.

- A former teammate of Draper's, defenseman Danny Markov, has apparently decided to return home to Russia.

Markov was unable to land a $3 million per season contract in the NHL as an unrestricted free agent and has reportedly signed a two-year deal worth $1.8 million per season with Moscow Dynamo of the Russian Super League.

No word yet on if that contract contains an "out clause" if an NHL team should come calling but by playing in Russia this season he'll make it more difficult to return to the NHL, as he'll have to pass through waivers.

- Another Russian blueliner is also reportedly heading back home, only this one's still under an NHL contract.

The website Hokej.cz reported NY Rangers defenseman Darius Kasparaitis has agreed to play for SKA St. Petersburg of the RSL and will join the team in November.

No word yet from the Rangers camp if they're loaning Kasparaitis to St. Petersburg or if he's breaking his contract with them to play in Russia.

If it's the latter there won't be anything the Rangers could do to prevent this, since Russia hasn't signed a player transfer agreement with the NHL and thus doesn't have to honor NHL contracts. Given that Kasparaitis didn't fit into their plans for this season Rangers management won't lose sleep over it, as they'll be able to suspend him and strike his salary from their books.

- The Minnesota Wild meanwhile re-signed defenseman Brent Burns to a four-year, $14.2 million contract. TSN.ca breaks down the deal as $3 million in the first year increasing each season to $4 million in the final year.

What's significant about this signing is Burns was eligible for restricted free agent status next summer, meaning a rival club could've pitched him an offer sheet.

As the Edmonton Oilers attempts last summer to sign Thomas Vanek and Dustin Penner (the latter successfully) clearly demonstrated, the salary cap means the threat of offer sheets are very real, meaning teams with talented RFA players can no longer take for granted the luxury of negotiations throughout the off-season.

- In other UFA news, forward Tony Salmelainen left the Toronto Maple Leafs last week, returned home to Finland and has now signed with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the RSL. He was already suspended by the Leafs for violating the terms of his one-year contract so playing in Russia is the only alternative available to him this season.

Former NHL veteran forward Dan LaCouture signed a one year contract with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League. LaCouture played in only six games last season for the New Jersey Devils and 39 games with their AHL affiliate.

**UPDATED**

- The Los Angeles Kings also took a step today to prevent one of their restricted free agents from receiving an offer sheet next summer by re-signing forward Dustin Brown to a six-year contract extension. Financial terms have yet to be disclosed but given his strong start to this season and the fact he made $1.175 million this season odds are good he likely doubled his salary.

- Another club opting to lock up a key RFA player now was the Washington Capitals, who on October 27th re-signed forward Alexander Semin to a two-year, $9.2 million contract. According to TSN.ca, Semin will make $4.2 million next season and $5 million in 2009-10. He's off to a slow start this season due to an ankle injury but the 38 goals and 73 points he had last season more than justifies the raise.  

- The Florida Panthers brought in some veteran blueline depth by signing UFA defenceman Jassen Cullimore to a one-year contract. Financial terms weren't disclosed but don't be surprised if he signed for close to the league minimum, particularly as he was bought out of the final year of his last contract this summer. He'll be heading first to the AHL on a two-week conditioning stint.

- Reports out of Buffalo suggest the Sabres may be close to signing UFA defenceman Nolan Pratt to a one year deal. With Dmitri Kalinin joining Teppo Numminen and Jaroslav Spacek on the injury list the Sabres need blueline depth. Pratt has been working out with the team on a tryout basis.