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Lightning sign Hedman to 8-year, $63M contract extension

The Tampa Bay Lightning have locked up their franchise defenseman.

Defenseman Victor Hedman has signed an eight-year contract extension worth $63 million, meaning an average annual valuation of $7.875 million.

The 25-year-old was selected second overall by the Lightning at the 2009 NHL Draft, and he has lived up to the billing of a high pick.

Through 470 career games in Tampa, Hedman is averaging 0.49 points per game, with positive possession numbers and a physical presence to round out his elite-level game.

Hedman will become the Lightning's second-highest paid player following an expected eight-year, $68 million deal to be signed by Steven Stamkos.

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Viktor Stalberg signs 1-year, $1.5-million deal with Carolina

The Carolina Hurricanes have added free-agent forward Viktor Stalberg on a one-year, $1.5-million contract, the team announced.

"Adding size to our forward corps was a priority this offseason," Hurricanes GM Ron Francis said.

Stalberg, 30, most recently played for the New York Rangers, contributing nine goals and eleven assists in 75 games last season.

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Oilers sign Gustavsson to 1-year deal worth reported $800K

The Edmonton Oilers have added depth between the pipes, signing goaltender Jonas Gustavsson to a one-year contract, the team announced.

Gustavsson, who spent last season backing up Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins, will make $800,000 in the deal, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

The 31-year-old dressed in 20 games this past season, managing a record of 11-9-1 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.72 goals-against average.

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Report: Flyers sign Dale Weise to 4-year, $9.4-million contract

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Dale Weise to a four-year contract worth $9.4 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Freidman.

Weise was acquired at the trade deadline by the Chicago Blackhawks, after previously making his mark with the Montreal Canadiens.

All together, Weise tallied 27 points in 71 games last season.

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Sharks sign David Schlemko to 4-year deal worth reported $8.2M

The Western Conference champions have added some depth on the blue line.

The San Jose Sharks have signed defenseman David Schlemko to a four-year contract worth $8.2 million, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.

"David is a solid puck-moving defenseman with good speed who can play the game at both ends," said general manager Doug Wilson. "He is coming off of a very productive season in New Jersey and we think he will fit well with our group."

Schlemko, 29, appeared in a career-high 67 games for the New Jersey Devils last season, recording six goals and 13 assists with 104 shots.

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Wild sign Chris Stewart to reported 2-year, $2.3M deal

The Minnesota Wild have signed winger Chris Stewart.

The deal is a two-year contract worth $2.3 million, according to Bob McKenzie of TSN.

The 28-year-old has twice hit the 28-goal mark, albeit from 2009-11. This past season, he appeared in 56 games for the Anaheim Ducks, with eight goals and 12 assists to his credit.

For his career, he's averaging 21.6 goals per every 82 games.

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Fantasy Fallout: Lucic rises with new linemates McDavid and Eberle

Here are the fantasy repercussions following Milan Lucic singing a seven-year deal worth $42 million dollars with the Edmonton Oilers.

Lucic has never been a fantastic scoring option in fantasy. Only twice has he produced above 60 points, both of which came back in the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 seasons. Though unspectacular, Lucic has been a serviceable.

The power left-winger finished with 59, 44, and 55 points in his past three season with Los Angeles. Excluding the lockout season, the former Bruin has also reached the 20 goal plateau in all but one of the past six seasons.

Expect things to change for the better in Edmonton.

The bruising forward will likely form a line of must-watch hockey alongside wunderkind Connor McDavid and Jordan Eberle. As it would be with anyone lucky enough to play beside McDavid, Lucic's value will be on the rise. Expect his last year's ADP of 135 and point total of 55 to take significant jumps.

Firstly, Lucic should see a slight rise in ice-time on Edmonton's top line. Playing on Los Angeles' second line, Lucic averaged between 16 and 17 minutes. That should elevate closer to 18-20 as a top-three forward in Edmonton. As per usual, an increase in ice-time means an increase in opportunity and scoring.

Projecting Lucic's 2016-17 season, assuming it's a healthy one, should see him approach the 30-35 goal mark. A nice increase in assists will also follow. Ultimately, 70 points seems like a reasonable target for Lucic. That would be a 15 point increase from last year.

Lucic's ADP for the upcoming season should reside around the 90-100 mark, though it wouldn't be a surprise to see him snatched up earlier come draft day. The appeal of playing alongside McDavid brought Lucic to Edmonton, and it will entice fantasy owners to reach for Lucic.

Considering Lucic's durability -- he's missed just nine games in the past six seasons -- and his consistency in terms of point total, reaching for Lucic might not be that bad of an idea.

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Jamie McGinn signs 3-year with Coyotes worth a reported $10M

The Arizona Coyotes have signed forward Jamie McGinn to a three-year, $10-million contract, the club announced. The deal is worth $10 million, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

McGinn was one of the more under-the-radar free agents this offseason, coming off a 22-goal campaign split between the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks.

The Coyotes have a surplus of young forwards, and McGinn should provide size and a stable veteran presence at the top of Arizona's budding lineup.

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