Latest NHL Signings! Part XVIII

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman Mathieu Roy to a one-year, two-way contract.

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Jeff Schultz to a 1-year, $715,000 deal.

The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed forward Colby Armstrong to a one-year, $2.4 million contract.

The Phoenix Coyotes have re-signed defenseman Keith Yandle to a two-year, $2.7 million contract.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forwards Lauri Tukonen and Blair Jones to one-year deals.

The San Jose Sharks have signed forward Jed Ortmeyer to a one-year deal. The Sharks have also signed Dwight Helminen, Danny Groulx, Joe Callahan and Ryan Vesce to one-year deals.

The St. Louis Blues have signed forwards Adam Cracknell and Barry Tallackson to one-year, two-way deals. Brochu's take: Great hockey name, CRACKNELL.

European free agent rumor update for July 4, 2008

This is the big version of Brochu's European rumor roundup, a regular feature on this blog.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are close to signing Swedish defenseman Jonas Frogren. Frogren plays with Farjestads BK, and also played for Sweden at the IIHF world championship in Quebec and Halifax this past spring. Source

New York Islanders forward Josef Vasicek has signed with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Russian Super League (KHL). Source

The Colorado Avalanche have signed defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist. Tjarnqvist spent last season with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

Nashville Predators forward Matt Ellison has signed with Dinamo Riga in Latvia.

Phoenix Coyotes forward Marcel Hossa has also signed with Dinamo Riga. Source

Philadelphia Flyers forward Stefan Ruzicka has signed a contract with Spartak Moskva (Moscow) of the KHL.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Dwight Helminen to a one-year, two-way contract. Helminen spent last season with JYP in the SM-Liiga.

There are also rumors that San Jose Sharks defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh could be signing with Dinamo Riga as well. Source