Blue Jackets sign ex-Chief Hrdina

Former Spokane Chiefs center Jan Hrdina, who has played with three teams in his six seasons in the NHL, signed a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.

Hrdina, 29, has 91 goals and 173 assists in 438 career games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes and New Jersey Devils.

The 6-foot, 206-pound center is the first forward to sign a free-agent contract with the Blue Jackets since the lockout ended. Earlier, the team signed defensemen Adam Foote and Bryan Berard and goaltender Martin Prusek.

Blackhawks trade Thibault to Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed veteran goaltender Jocelyn Thibault to a two-year, $3 million contract after acquiring him from the Chicago Blackhawks for a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft.

Thibault, 30, became expendable to the Blackhawks after they signed Nikolai Khabibulin to a four-year, $27 million deal that made him the NHL’s highest-paid goaltender on Friday.

Bruins re-sign restricted free agent Samsonov

The Boston Bruins agreed to a one-year contract with left wing Sergei Samsonov, one of the team’s top restricted free agents.

The Bruins also reached a one-year deal with left wing P.J. Axelsson, and agreed to terms with defenseman Jonathan Girard and goaltender Jordan Sigalet.

Terms of the deals were not released.

Hurricanes sign Williams to one-year deal

The Carolina Hurricanes signed right winger Justin Williams to a one-year deal worth nearly $1.23 million.

In 2003-04, his fourth NHL season, Williams established career highs for games played (79), assists (33), points (44) and penalty minutes (64) while splitting time between Philadelphia and Carolina.