Walker, Rivet and Horton off the market, Emery to have surgery...

The Florida Panthers have re-signed restricted free-agent forward Nathan Horton.

The deal will pay out a total of $24 million to the 22-year old over 6 seasons.

The signing, per TSN, officially ends all speculation that Horton will be dealt at tomorrow's NHL Entry Draft in Columbus.

Horton had a spectacular season at such a young age, ammasing 31 goals and putting up 31 assists while appearing in all 82 games.

A star on the rise, Horton's season was awesome on the scoresheet, but some off-ice rumours a few months before the deadline, which consisted of Horton's unhappiness in the Sunshine State and his desire to be dealt to a contender, prompted speculation he would be dealt at the trade deadline (didn't happen) or at the draft.

-Craig Rivet really like the weather in Western California, and he's going to be there for another 4 seasons.

The Sharks officially signed their hard-hitting defenceman to a 4-year $14 million contract, a potential UFA, Rivet fit in well with the Sharks and broke out in the playoffs as the team's leading defenceman.

Rivet was traded to San Jose on the eve of the trade deadline, in exchange for Josh Gorges and the Shark's 1st round draft choice (23rd overall)

-The Hurricanes also re-signed forward Scott Walker to a 3-year $7.5 million contract, yesterday.

That comes out to about $2.5 million per season.

The 33-year old was eligible for UFA status on July 1st; he had a decent season in Carolina, but nothing compared to his old Nashville days, scoring 21 goals and adding 31 helpers in 81 games.

"Keeping Scott in Carolina was one of our top priorities this off-season," Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said in a statement. "He brings skill and grit to our forward lines and he has become one of our team's leaders on and off the ice."

"It was one of the best experiences that I had in renegotiating. I felt really wanted," Walker said. "I like my role, but I also like the way the team is set up for the future, and I think we have a chance to win."

-And to top this transaction segment off, goaltender Ray Emery will undergo surgery for his wrist, which he hurt in November and re-aggravated in the playoffs.

He is not expected to miss the beginning of the regular-season, TSN says he will be out 2-3 months.

Emery, a restricted free-agent, made 925K last year and will likely seek a substantial raise from new Sens GM Bryan Murray, Emery's agent was quoted on TSN's Off the Record with Michael Landsberg that his client might receive an offer sheet soon, and that many teams would be interested in doing so, especially 2-3 teams that he obviously didn't name.

--BBR

Craig Rivet sends an SOS to Souray...

Wow, what a great title for this TSN article: Rivet reborn in San Jose

The article is actually interesting and may be an indirect way Rivet is trying to lure Souray there.

Sheldon Souray has long been rumoured to be on the move, notably to a California-based team (namely the Sharks or Kings).

There was a wacky rumour going around a few days before the deadline, one that would send Matt Carle, Joe Pavelski and a 1st round draft choice to the Canadiens for Souray, after he "agreed to a two-year deal".

The deal was obviously a fabrication, no way Doug Wilson would offer up that much for a -28 defencemen whose only asset is his shot on the powerplay.
You think two prospering young players sounds like a bit much?

Well, Craig Rivet has just sent out an SOS to his friend.

"I went from minus-25-degree weather where I was shovelling three inches of snow off my car every day, to waking up to sunshine and blue skies," Rivet said. "You can really see (how) the atmosphere affects the guys.

Oh please.

You're telling me it was "difficult" to play here because of...the weather?

We all know how cocky the Montreal perfectionist media can be (see the Kovalev innuendo) and how it can affect a player's decision to want to play for the Canadiens (forget about Daniel Briere, the Quebecois media will likely feast on him being a "potential target" for GM Bob Gainey.) but come on Craig, you spent 11 seasons here and you think "weather" is a strong factor in the developpement of your play?

Oh please.

This is just him sugarcoating the Sharks for Souray, telling him "Hey, dump that Montreal team with crummy weather and crappy media and "pressure-filled" fans and come live with me here in San Jose, where the skies are blue and where we can walk in the sunshine."

Wow Craig, I know you didn't say that, but that's probably what you meant.

I wonder if Souray read this article, I wonder if he read it to see how "cozy" it is down in San Jose.

"I've enjoyed every minute," said Rivet, who will be a free agent after the Sharks' playoff run ends. "I don't know what the plans are with the Sharks, but I think the guys are great, the city is great.
"I think it's a diamond in the rough. It's a place a lot of players don't know about."

I don't think he ever said that when he was here.

Maybe I'm just sulking that the Habs are out and Rivet is saying things he never said when he was here in Montreal with San Jose.

San Jose is a great place to live, but really, you're telling me that hockey there is better than here?

Rivet, a pending UFA, was acquired by the Sharks on the eve of Trade Deadline day for fellow defenceman Josh Gorges and a 1st round draft pick.

And as we (well, the media) say up here in good ol' MONTREAL: "The City is Hockey".