LDN - Sports

National Hockey League roundup

[June 30, 2017] June 29 (The Sports Xchange) - The Columbus Blue Jackets bought out the remaining two seasons of forward Scott Hartnell's six-year, $28.5 million contract, the team announced on Thursday.

The buyout will cost Columbus a cap hit of $1.5 million in the first year, $3 million in the second and $1.25 million in the final two years, according to CapFriendly.com.

Hartnell, who will become an unrestricted free agent, recorded 13 goals and 24 assists in 78 games last season.

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The Edmonton Oilers placed forward Benoit Pouliot on waivers for the purpose of buying out the remainder of his contract.

Pouliot signed a five-year contract worth $20 million in 2014. The move will allow the Oilers to save approximately $2.67 million in both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, according to CapFriendly.com.

The 30-year-old Pouliot collected eight goals and six assists in 67 games in 2016-17. He did not record a point in 13 playoff contests.

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Dave Semenko, who long served as Wayne Gretzky's protector on the ice for the Edmonton Oilers, died from cancer. He was 59.

Semenko, who was diagnosed with liver and pancreatic cancer, passed away with friends and family present, Sportsnet reported.

The Oilers captured Stanley Cup titles in 1984 and 1985 with Semenko, who was traded to the Hartford Whalers in 1986.

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New York Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith agreed to terms on a contract.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Rangers, but multiple outlets reported that it was a four-year, $17.4 million contract. Smith was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The 28-year-old Smith split last season between the Detroit Red Wings and Rangers.

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The Detroit Red Wings signed defensemen Brian Lashoff and Dylan McIlrath to two-year contract extensions.

Lashoff failed to record a point while playing in five games last season with the Red Wings. McIlrath did not record a point in his lone NHL game last season with the New York Rangers.

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The Washington Capitals re-signed center Chandler Stephenson to a two-year, $1.3 million contract.

Stephenson's contract is a two-way deal for 2017-18 and a one-way deal for 2018-19.

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The Calgary Flames re-signed Kris Versteeg, 31, to a one-year contract. Calgary announced the contract contains an average annual value of $1.75 million for the right winger.

Versteeg totaled 15 goals and 37 points in 69 games this past season.

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The St. Louis Blues re-signed forward Magnus Paajarvi to a one-year, one-way contract worth $800,000.

Paajarvi, 26, split last season between the Blues and the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League.

Paajarvi played 32 regular-season games for the Blues, recording 13 points (eight goals, five assists) and six penalty minutes.

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The Anaheim Ducks signed defenseman Jaycob Megna to a two-year contract extension and goaltender Kevin Boyle to a one-year deal. Both contracts are two-way deals. ))

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