NHL: Kovalev signs with Senators after no deal with Canadiens
Winger Alex Kovalev, 36, signed a two-year, $10 million deal yesterday with the Ottawa Senators, leaving the rival Montreal Canadiens after nearly five seasons.
Kovalev, a 16-season NHL veteran, led Montreal with 26 goals and 65 points last season.
Montreal also announced it would not retain Saku Koivu, its longtime captain, who spent his first 13 NHL seasons with the Canadiens.
Higgins' deal. The New York Rangers agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million contract with winger Chris Higgins, who was acquired last week in a six-player trade that sent Scott Gomez to Montreal.
Canucks sign Raycroft. Vancouver added depth by signing goalie Andrew Raycroft, formerly with the Colorado Avalanche, to a one-year deal worth $500,000. He will serve as the backup to Roberto Luongo.
The Canucks also re-signed defenseman Shane O'Brien to a one-year contract for $1.6 million.
Elsewhere. San Jose re-signed forward Ryane Clowe, 26, to a four-year deal. He scored 22 goals last season. . . . Chicago re-signed forwards Troy Brouwer, Colin Fraser and Ben Eager (a former Flyer), goaltender Corey Crawford and defenseman Aaron Johnson. . . . Detroit retained forward Ville Leino, signing him to a two-year deal. . . . Pittsburgh signed forward Chris Conner, formerly with Dallas, to a one-year contract. . . . St. Louis re-signed forward B.J. Crombeen, who was second among NHL rookies with 148 penalty minutes. . . . Toronto agreed on a three-year deal with former Anaheim defenseman Francois Beauchemin. . . . Defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski and forward Jason Krog signed deals to stay with Atlanta.
