The Buffalo Sabres have signed 2016 eighth overall draft pick Alex Nylander to a three-year, entry-level contract.

"We are extremely pleased to sign Alex to his entry-level deal," said general manager Tim Murray. "When we selected Alex, we obviously knew he was a talented, skilled player. We look forward to him coming to training camp and competing for a job."

Nylander led all Mississauga Steelhead (OHL) players in goals (28), assists (47), and points (75) in 2015-16, adding an additional six goals and six assists in six playoff games.

The stellar performance earned Nylander both OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year honors.

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The New Jersey Devils will have to wait until training camp to see if Pavel Zacha is ready to make the jump to the NHL club.

Related - Shero: Devils roster will have room for Zacha

The 19-year-old - who was selected sixth overall by the Devils in 2015 - will not skate during the team's summer development camp as a result of a hip pointer.

"I was in the hospital two days ago, had something to do with my hip pointer, and I feel much better today," Zacha told Chris Ryan of NJ.com on Friday. "I got my first little workout in, so I feel really good, so I hope I'll be able to work out and go on the ice pretty soon.

"I'll go on the ice when I go back home, start working out, practicing there, but I won't be able to go on ice this camp."

Zacha made his pro debut late this past season, recording two assists in one appearance for the Devils and a goal and two assists in three games with the AHL's Albany Devils.

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Signs continue to point to Kevin Shattenkirk's imminent departure from St. Louis.

While announcing the signing of forward Jaden Schwartz to a new five-year contract, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong listed a group of core players around whom he's looking to build a championship.

Shattenkirk's name was curiously omitted from that list of six.

• Goalie - Jake Allen
• Defensemen - Alex Pietrangelo, Colton Parayko
• Forwards - Schwartz, Vladimir Tarasenko, Robby Fabbri

The 27-year-old has one year remaining on his contract with the Blues and carries a cap hit of $4.25 million. He's likely to command a raise on his next deal, exceeding St. Louis' abilities to comply and thereby raising the very real possibility of a trade.

Shattenkirk's agent was surprised his client wasn't traded at the NHL Draft in late June, while the player himself is on record as saying he hopes the Blues trade him sooner rather than later.

Based on Armstrong's latest statement, it appears as though the writing is indeed on the wall.

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Brian Campbell has no regrets about returning to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Speaking Friday at the team's summer convention, Campbell - who was dealt to the Panthers by the Blackhawks in 2011 - said there are people he will miss in Florida, but he only had the one team in mind when considering where to sign as a free agent on July 1.

Campbell, it should be noted, kept his home in Chicago after being traded and has spent his offseasons there ever since.

"(Chicago) was always the No. 1 option," he added, citing organizational and family reasons for preferring the Blackhawks. "I was hoping it would work between us."

In terms of playing partners and even which side of the ice he is deployed, Campbell said all that matters is the uniform he's wearing once again.

The veteran defenseman signed a one-year, $1.5-million contract with the Blackhawks, moving on from a Panthers team for whom he did not miss a single game over the past five seasons.

His previous eight-year deal had been signed with the Blackhawks, but Campbell was ultimately dealt in an attempt to free up salary cap space.

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The St. Louis Blues have avoided arbitration with Jaden Schwartz, signing him to a five-year, $26.75-million contract.

Schwartz was having a productive season until it was cut short due to injury. He recorded eight goals and 22 points in 33 regular season games, and another 14 points in 20 postseason contests.

"He's part of that core we have moving forward," general manager Doug Armstrong said in a release. "Schwartz and (Vladimir) Tarasenko, Robby Fabbri, Colton Parayko, Alex Pietrangelo, Jake Allen - we're trying to build around these guys. Having Schwartz wrapped up in that group, we know we now have a core that we can build around and try to win a championship around."

Armstrong stated heading into the offseason that signing Schwartz was his top priority.

The winger was scheduled to have his hearing Wednesday in Toronto.

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The Great One reigns supreme in yet another category.

What's known to be the most pristine edition of Wayne Gretzky's O-Pee-Chee rookie card from the 1979-80 season is up for bid by Goldin Auctions, and prices have reached upwards of $200,000 - more than double the record for a modern hockey card, according to Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated.

"The card is the flag bearer of the hockey market," said Ken Goldin, president of Goldin Auctions. "It is the most valuable and most sought after hockey card, by far."

The card could fetch $400,000, obliterating the previous record of a modern card set at $94,163 in 2011.

According to card grading company PSA, this particular card is the only one of 3,727 known copies that grades a perfect score of 10.

In Gretzky's rookie season, he recorded 104 points in 72 games, which, remarkably, would be his lowest total until the 1994-95 campaign.

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David Booth is still having trouble sleeping.

John Tortorella's first and only season as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks in 2013-14 was Booth's last campaign out west. He had nine goals and 10 assists in 66 games for Torts.

Booth played a season in Toronto before heading about as far away from Tortorella as possible, to the KHL. He had six goals and 10 assists in 23 games with Admiral Vladivostok last season.

There's no word on whether Booth is looking at resuming his career stateside, but if he does, it's safe to say his agent won't be calling the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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Chuck Fletcher is optimistic.

The Minnesota Wild general manager spoke to the Star Tribune's Michael Russo about a number of topics in a piece published Friday, including negotiations with the club's only remaining restricted free agent, defenseman Matt Dumba.

"I don't anticipate any problems," Fletcher said. "Hopefully something gets done here pretty quickly."

Dumba was tendered a qualifying offer, but it's clear both parties are looking at a long-term extension. Rumors at the draft in late June had the Wild talking trade with the Edmonton Oilers, with Dumba and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins the focus of talks.

A first-round pick, seventh overall in 2012, Dumba will turn 22 on July 25. His 10 goals and 16 assists last season were both career highs, along with his 16:50 in average ice time. He had a 47.7 percent Corsi For rating, according to Puckalytics.

Dumba wrapped up his entry-level deal. If he signs long term, he'll join Ryan Suter, Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella, and Jared Spurgeon as blueliners signed through 2020.

Fletcher also said that he's looking at potentially adding another forward to his group, but added that he's not in a big hurry. The GM expects some of the club's young players to challenge for spots on the big club.

"There's no timetable to do anything right now," Fletcher said.

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General manager Don Sweeney is getting a head start on keeping Brad Marchand in Boston.

The Bruins winger is an unrestricted free agent once next season ends, but both sides have begun discussions on a potential contract extension, according to multiple reports.

Sweeney made it clear in June he wants to begin negotiations sooner rather than later, calling the 28-year-old a "big part" of the team.

Marchand showed his importance to the Bruins last season, reaching career highs in goals (37) and points (60).

Entering the final season of his contract, Marchand carries a cap hit of $4.5 million, and based on his spike in production, it's justifiable to believe he'll be receiving a raise.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs signed goaltender Garret Sparks to a one-year, two-way contract Friday, the club announced.

Sparks is a candidate to back up new No. 1 Frederik Andersen after Jonathan Bernier was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional draft pick.

A seventh-round pick in 2011, Sparks made his NHL debut last season and was instrumental in Toronto finishing last in the league and earning the privilege to draft Auston Matthews first overall.

Sparks started 17 games, finishing with a .893 save percentage and 3.02 goals-against average. His tenure began in fine fashion, with Sparks becoming the first goalie in club history to pitch a shutout in his NHL debut, but it fell apart in March and April.

Still young at 23, Sparks had a .928 save percentage in 21 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies last season, posting three shutouts.

Sparks will likely start the season on the farm, as head coach Mike Babcock admitted last week that Toronto is looking for a veteran backup to support Andersen.

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