NHL free agent signings for July 15, 2008

The Colorado Avalanche have re-signed forward Cody McLeod to a one-year contract; agreed to terms with goaltenders Jason Bacashihua and Tyler Weiman, defensemen Darcy Campbell and Aaron MacKenzie and centers Nathan Smith and Philippe Dupuis. The Avs also re-signed right wing Cody McCormick to a one-year contract and signed right wing Brian Willsie to a one-year contract.

The Minnesota Wild have re-signed defenseman John Scott, center Corey Locke and right wing Danny Irmen to one-year contracts; signed center Bryan Lundbohm to a one-year contract and defenseman Brandon Rogers to a multi-year contract.

The St. Louis Blues have forward Cam Paddock.

The Detroit Red Wings have announced the retirement of right wing Dallas Drake.

Avalanche acquire Bacashihua

The Colorado Avalanche have acquired goaltender Jason Bacashihua from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2008 NHL entry draft. The Avs assigned Bacashihua to Lake Erie, the team's AHL affiliate in Cleveland. TSN

The LA Times is reporting that Scott Niedermayer has begun skating and could return to the Ducks by mid-December. Niedermayer's agent, Kevin Epp told the LA Times that the four-time Stanley Cup Champion has not yet made a decision and that he does not expect the defenceman to make one for "another month" but that the 34-year old Niedermayer has been practicing with former Ducks Travis Green and Jeff Friesen. TSN

Kevin Bieksa is feared to be injured worse than first thought, and could be out for months instead of weeks. This has added fuel to speculation that the Vancouver Canucks are close to dealing for a defenseman. TSN