NHL News

Pittsburgh - The Penguins announced on Thursday they have re-signed forward Dustin Jeffrey to a one-year, $625,000 contract. Jeffrey, 25, had three goals and six points in 25 regular-season games for the Penguins in 2012-13. A 2007 sixth-round draft pick, Jeffrey has 15 goals and 27 points in 90 games spread across the past five seasons, all with the Penguins.

Columbus - The Blue Jackets announced that forward Nathan Horton had surgery Wednesday to repair a shoulder injury sustained during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. The procedure was performed by Dr. Jon Warner at the Boston Shoulder Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "Nathan's surgery went very well and he is expected to make a full recovery after completing his rehabilitation program," Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen told the team's website. "Since Nathan joined the Blue Jackets, our medical team from OhioHealth and team training staff have worked closely with Dr. Warner and will be actively engaged with Nathan throughout the rehabilitation process."

Horton signed a seven-year, $37.1 million contract with the Blue Jackets on July 5. The Blue Jackets knew the procedure was needed when he signed, and at his introductory press conference, Horton said he was told the recovery time is four-to-six months. "I've just been kind of waiting to get it done," Horton said. "I'm definitely going to have surgery. Hopefully in the next week, early week, we can figure that out and get something done, and the sooner the better. I think the recovery is four to six months. I'm hoping four, and I think everyone else would in my situation. I just want to be 100 percent and come back and never have a problem with it again."

 

Edmonton - Defenseman Denis Grebeshkov is back with the Edmonton Oilers, signing a one-year contract with the team Thursday. He had spent the past three seasons playing in his native Russia. Grebeshkov had 75 points in 190 games with the Oilers from 2007-10. He started his NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings in 2003-04 and also has played with the New York Islanders and Nashville Predators. He has 84 points in 227 career NHL games, but Grebeshkov left North America to play in the KHL following the 2009-10 season. The 29-year-old defenseman, who was selected in the first round of the 2002 NHL Draft (No. 18) by the Kings, had 34 points in 144 games in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg and HC Yugra.

 

Colorado - The Colorado Avalanche on Thursday signed center Matt Duchene to a five-year contract extension. Financial terms of the deal were not announced on a deal that kicks at the start of the 2014-15 season. "Matt already is and will be a big part of our team's nucleus for the long term," Avalanche executive vice president of hockey operations Joe Sakic said. "We all felt that it was important for us to secure his rights for several seasons. With his great skills, speed and character, he represents the identity we want the Avalanche to be."

Duchene, 22, was second on the Avalanche with 17 goals and 43 points last season. In four seasons since being selected with the third pick of the 2009 NHL Draft, Duchene has 82 goals and 193 points in 266 games. He had 55 points as a rookie in 2009-10 to help the Avalanche reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and in 2011 played in his first NHL All-Star Game. "In 2009 I was thrilled to have been selected by the Avalanche, my favorite team," Duchene said. "I have worn this uniform with pride in my first four professional seasons in Denver, and I appreciate the organization believing in me for the long-term future. I have been working really hard again this summer, and I am looking forward to the upcoming training camp and season."

 

NY Islanders - Thomas Hickey found a home on the New York Islanders' blue line, and Thursday the team rewarded the restricted free agent with a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not announced, but Newsday reported the total value to be $1.35 million. Hickey, 24, made his NHL debut last season and had four points and a plus-9 rating in 39 games. He appeared in two of the team's six Stanley Cup Playoff games against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Los Angeles Kings made Hickey the No. 4 pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, but after playing 212 games with the Manchester Monarchs in the American Hockey League, Hickey was waived and claimed by the Islanders on Jan. 15. He had 75 points with the Monarchs and was selected to play in the 2012 AHL All-Star Game. Hickey won gold with Canada at the 2008 and 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships. He was the team captain in 2009.