-The Columbus Blue Jackets locked up a promising young defenseman on Saturday, re-signing Kris Russell to a three-year contract extension. 

Russell's new contract, which starts in 2010-11, is worth $3.9 million, or $1.3 million per season against the Jackets' salary cap. 

The 22-year-old defenseman is smallish by NHL standards (5-10, 180 lbs) but he has considerable upside as a puck-moving defenseman and made considerable strides last season with 21 points in 66 games. This season he has two points in five games. 

Should the mobile Russell continue his development this signing by the Jackets will prove to be a very affordable addition to their future. 

- The Chicago Blackhawks added forward depth on Saturday by claiming sophomore center Andrew Ebbett off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. 

Ebbett, 26, had an impressive NHL debut in 2008-09, with 32 points in only 48 games to finish 12th in rookie scoring. Unfortunately he didn't have a good training camp and with the Ducks addition of veteran center Saku Koivu he dropped significantly down their depth chart, playing in only two games this season with no points to show for it. 

This move could further stoke speculation over the possibility of the Blackhawks perhaps shopping center Patrick Sharp to free up cap space for next season to re-sign key players Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith. 

The reality, in the short term at least, is less sexy, as Ebbett appears a replacement for center Adam Burish, who is out indefinitely due to knee surgery, so this could be a good opportunity for Ebbett to get his groove back with the exciting young Blackhawks.