Samsonov Gone and Muckler Too? Plus the Rest of the Recent Transactions

The Montreal Canadiens have finally traded Sergei Samsonov, find out where. Was John Muckler fired as Senators GM despite taking his team to their first ever Stanley Cup Finals? As well as the rest of the day’s signings and re-signings.


Montreal Finally Moves Samsonov

The Montreal Canadiens tried shopping him around most of last season, scratching him, even waiving him at one point. But they have finally cut ties with the Russian-born winger, all without buying him out.

The Canadiens trade Sergei Samsonov to Chicago in exchange for defenseman Jassen Cullimore and young winger Tony Salmelainen.

Samsonov was ostracized in Montreal after failing to produce the points that his $3.525 million per year contract would suggest. In 63 games last year, Samsonov netted nine goals and 17 assists. He was also a healthy scratch for 18 games and all of the team’s final 13 games.

“Considering we didn’t have plans for Sergei Samsonov in our organization for next season, our options were either buy out his contract or to trade him…” said Canadiens GM Bob Gainey.

The Blackhawks dumped defenseman Jassen Cullimore in the deal. Cullimore, who is a cap hit of $1.9 million, will be immediately bought out by the Canadiens. (I believe the cap hit for the buyout is $621,000 for the next two seasons, but I’ll confirm that later).

The Hawks also give up speedy young forward Tony Salmalainen. He will join his third organization in as many years after being Edmonton’s second round pick in 1999. Last season, Salmelainen, 25, scored 17 points in 57 games. His cap hit his $700,000 and he is scheduled to be a restricted free agent at season’s end.


Identical Up-Bringing, Identical Contracts

The Canadiens have re-signed defenseman Mike Komisarek and forward Chris Higgins to two-year deals worth $3.4 million a piece.

Each of the Long Island natives will make $1.5 million this season and $1.9 million the next (cap hit: $1.7M per season).

“Christopher Higgins and Mike Komisarek are two of the young players we consider to be building blocks for the long term success of our team,” said GM Bob Gainey in a statement about two of his former first round picks.

Higgins missed 21 games with an ankle injury last season, but still mustered 22 goals and 38 points in 61 games.

Komisarek, the stay-at-home, physical defenseman, set career highs in games (82), goals (4), assists (15) and points (19).


Hlavac Another Go

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed left wing Jan Hlavac to a one-year deal.

“Hlavac is a highly skilled player who we believe will fit in well within our group of top six forwards and a player we hope will develop some chemistry with Brad Richards,” said Lightning general manager Jay Feaster. “The new-NHL is tailor-made for Jan’s game…”

Hlavac, who will be 31 by the start of this season, hasn’t played in the NHL since 2003-04 with the New York Rangers. He spent the last three seasons with either Sparta Praha (CZE) and Servette Geneve (SUI-A).

Terms of the deal were not yet disclosed.


Quick Hits:

In a report that serviced after 1 a.m. Eastern Time, the Toronto Sun reports that Ottawa Senators general manager John Muckler has been fired. Confirmation and details to follow.

The Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed goaltender Antero Niittymaki to a two-year deal worth $2.45 million (cap hit: $1.225 million per season).

The Colorado Avalanche have signed forward Ben Guite to a two-year deal and energy forward Cody McCormick to a one-year deal.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed defensive prospect Pavel Valentenko to a three-year entry level deal. Terms were not disclosed. Valentenko was the Habs fifth pick in the 2006 draft.

The Minnesota Wild have signed Austrian defenseman Andre Lakos to a one-year, two-way deal. The six-foot-six, 230-pound defenseman has never played a second of NHL hockey. The contract is worth $575,000 if he stays with Minnesota and $100,000 if he is sent to Houston (AHL).

The Bruins have fired head coach Dave Lewis.

The Calgary Flames have hired Mike Keenan as their new head coach.