The Los Angeles Kings reportedly have re-signed team captain and veteran defenseman Mattias Norstrom to a two-year, $8.5 million contract. The New York Islanders have officially announced the re-signing of forward Shawn Bates to a three-year contract extension. Financial terms weren't disclosed. They both join a growing list of potential UFAs this season who've opted instead to re-sign with their clubs. Among the more notable to have done this are Montreal's Saku Koivu, New Jersey's Martin Brodeur and Toronto's Tomas Kaberle. That raises an interesting possibility: could it be the new CBA has some players deciding that unrestricted free agency is no longer the slam-dunk for a huge raise as it once was? Discuss....

Former Edmonton Oilers center Rem Murray could be back with the club as early as Sunday, reports the Edmonton Sun. Murray has made a courageous recovery from a condition known as cervical dystona, which had tightened his neck muscles and twisted his head to the left, threatening his playing career. He signed with the Houston Aeros of the AHL earlier this season in hopes of working his way back to the NHL. The Sun reports he could be back in the Oilers lineup as early as today if he receives clearance from team doctors. **UPDATE** Murray has signed with the Oilers and was in the lineup for today's game against the Nashville Predators.

The Minnesota Wild took a major step toward solidifying their goaltending situation on Friday, re-signing netminder Manny Fernandez to a multi-year contract. This deal likely means the other half of the Wild's goalie tandem, Dwayne Roloson, may be on his way out of Minnesota by the March 9th trade deadline. Both netminders were set to become unrestricted free agents this summer, but by re-signing Fernandez it's apparent Wild GM Doug Risebrough believes the younger Fernandez can bring more to the club over the long haul than the veteran Roloson. It's possible, of course, that Risebrough could retain Roloson, but with promising young Josh Harding in their system, unlikely. The Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks are believed the most interested in Roloson's services.