- The St. Louis Blues this past week signed former Dallas Stars defenseman Darryl Sydor to a one-year, $1 million contract. 

Sydor, 37, attended Blues training camp on a tryout basis and is seen as an affordable replacement for Jay McKee, whom the Blues bought out of his contract this summer. 

His considerable playoff experience (he played in five Stanley Cup finals, winning the Cup with Dallas and Tampa Bay) and leadership should make him a good addition to this young Blues team.

- The New Jersey Devils brought in some much-needed veteran depth at center last week, signing former Anaheim Duck Rob Niedermayer to a one-year contract worth $1 million. 

Niedermayer, 34, has considerable NHL experience especially in the post-season (playing on Cup finalists in Florida and Anaheim and winning the Cup with the Ducks in 2007) and his defensive skills should make him a good fit with a Devils team expected to return to its defensive roots under head coach Jacques Lemaire. 

Rob is also the brother of former Devils defenseman Scott Niedermayer, leading to speculation the Devils might be able to land Scott by the trade deadline with Rob in their lineup should the Ducks be out of the playoff race by then. 

Only problem with that assessment is the Ducks won't miss the playoffs this season.

- Strike Milan Hejduk from next summer's list of potential unrestricted free agents. 

The 33-year-old winger re-signed a one-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche worth $3 million for the 2010-11 season. He's currently on the final year of a contract paying him $4 million. 

Hejduk is coming off a 27-goal, 59-point performance in 2008-09, and while his best seasons are behind him the rebuilding Avalanche could benefit from his offensive skills, experience and leadership. 

- The Atlanta Thrashers brought additional veteran depth to their defense for the upcoming season, acquiring former Thrasher Steve McCarthy from the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations. 

McCarthy was sent to the Thrashers farm team in Chicago where he'll probably spend most of the season but he could be valuable as a potential call-up if the Thrashers defense corps gets hit by injuries.