Today's NHL News

• Habs' GM Bob Gainey gets an Extension through 2009-10
• Recchi Going Back to the Burgh, Pens also sign Ronald Petrovicky
• Kings Sign Bad Boy Avery
• Hawks Hire Former Florida GM Rick Dudley as Assistant GM
• Canucks sign former Habs winger Jan Bulis
• Preds re-up Erat for two years
• Avs add Defenseman Ken Klee, Forward Paul Stastny
• Predators update Vokoun's status
• Islanders sign Asham, avoid arbitration

NHL Jeff's Take: I am a abit short on time today, so I will only comment on a select numbre of the transactions.

Gainey has done a great job since taking the reins. The Habs are in the best position they've been in since winning the cup in '93.

Recchi's return to Pittsburgh was suspected even at the time of his trade at the trade deadline. He played great while he was there last year (better than expected) and will continue to provide veteran leadership for an extremely young Penguins team.

Despite Avery's fallout with the former Kings' staff, it seems the new authorities are willing to give him another chance, which I think is a great idea. He may be controversial a lot of the time, but a little bit of controversy stirs up the media and gives the Kings and hockey in general a little bit of extra attention.

Although Ken Klee is not much of an offensive defenseman as Rob Blake, he is a skilled, experienced veteran who will definitely help solidify an Avalanche blueline that has lost its number one man. Despite having a great offensive season last year, D-man John Michael Liles will have to step up his offense even more to help the Avs be successful without Blake. The addition of Jordan Leopold in the Tanguay trade should also add a litle bit of offense from the D. Brisebois and Clark also contributed from the blueline last year, and with the the addition of Klee and the resigning of stay-at-home ironman Karlis Skrastins, I don’t think the Av’s defense has taken too much of a step down from last season. Now the offense, that is a whole ‘nother story….