Recent Signings

The Hurricanes re-signed veteran defenseman Jay Harrison to a new deal on Thursday, giving him a 2-year, $1.4 million deal to stay with the club. Harrison played in 72 games for the Hurricanes in 2011, picking up 10 points in the process. He isn't known as a pool-worthy defenseman, but if he's going to put in that many games, all it takes is the right pairing or team in front of him to make him a sleeper.

The St. Louis Blues continue to sew up a number of their restricted free agents, as Vladimir Sobotka signed a new 3-year deal on Wednesday, reported to be worth $3.9 million, which works out to be a $1.4 milllion cap hit per season.  Sobotka started to really fit in well with the team by the end of the year, scoring 29 points in 65 games with the club.  Depending on how team the pool draft goes, Sobotka may find himself in a sleeper category in 2012.

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed on another one of their key restricted free agents this week, as Carl Gunnarsson signed a 2-year deal on Tuesday, which will pay him $2.65 million over the two seasons.  Gunnarsson had a decent year with the Leafs, picking up 20 points in 68 games, giving the team some added scoring depth on the blueline.