NHL Trades Update

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forwards Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche to the New York Rangers for blueliners Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman. Columbus also signed free-agent forward Kristian Huselius for $19 million over four years.

The New York Islanders added 37-year-old centre Doug Weight for one year at $1.75 million.

The Ottawa Senators signed Penguins pest Jarkko Ruutu, an unrestricted free agent, for three years.

The Vancouver Canucks signed free-agent forward Ryan Johnson and free-agent defenceman Nolan Baumgartner.

Carolina signed defenceman Joni Pitkanen, acquired on Tuesday from Edmonton for Erik Cole, to a $12 million, three-year contract.

Calgary stole forward Curtis Glencross from the rival Oilers, signing the unrestricted free agent to a three-year deal; signed brothers Jim and Peter Vandermeer.

The Atlanta Thrashers signed free-agent defenseman Ron Hainsey, adding size and youth to their blue line — and making him the team’s highest-paid defenseman (five years, $22.5 million). He spent the last three years with Columbus.

The Minnesota Wild re-signed injured defenseman Kurtis Foster to a one-year, $1.025-million contract.

The New York Islanders and Center Doug Weight agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.75 million plus incentives.

The Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin signed a five-year extension worth $43.5 million. His deal is the same as the one signed by Sidney Crosby that begins next season.

The Maple Leaf’s Mats Sundin got an offer from Vancouver, which is set to make Sundin the highest-paid player in the league. The Canucks’ bid was for two years, and the price is believed to be $20 million.