The New York Rangers announced Tuesday that the club has agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Marcel Hossa.

Hossa was set to go to salary arbitration with the Rangers on August 2.

Hossa, 25, appeared in 64 games with the Rangers this past season, recording 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points, along with 26 penalty minutes.

The 6-3, 220-pound forward has skated in 187 career NHL contests with the Rangers and Montreal Canadiens, registering 30 goals and 23 assists for 53 points, along with 78 penalty minutes.

It was reported in the Post today that Rangers General Manager Glen Sather called Sean Avery a "detriment" to the team. Uh, excuse me Mr. Sather but how was Avery a detriment? He worked his ass off every single night, drew a ton of penalties, set up an abundance of quality scoring chances, was not afraid to shoot the pucks and stuck up for his teammates.

Sure, he may have been a detriment to the Kings but with the Rangers, at least so far, he has been an entirely different story.

What gives?

What makes one of four brothers decide to become a steady stay at home defenseman instead of a brash forward like his siblings? Maybe it's the same mindset that kept Ranger prospect Marc Staal from being arrested along with his brothers Eric and Jordan in Minnesota after Eric's bachelor party got out of hand last weekend (little brother Jarred was probably deemed too young to attend -- Jordan himself was underage for the drunken party, that being one of the charges laid against him). Whether Marc attended the party is unknown, but he was not among the fourteen family members and friends who were arrested for harrassing motorists at the side of the highway at 4:00 AM Saturday morning -- the Cook County sherriff's office just read me the names of five Staal family members from the list of those detained, and Marc was not one of them (nor was Jarred). See news reports in the Raleigh News-Observer and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

According the a press release from the Cook County Sherriff's office, the party at the Lusten Resort was warned prior to 1:00 AM about loud screaming and loud music after numerous complaints were lodged. At 3:00 AM, after repeated warnings, representatives of three law enforcement agencies helped resort staff shut down the Staal party and remove all participants from the property. At 4:00 AM, the group was arrested at the side of the road for disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process. Some members of the group fled into the woods and were therefore not detained with the others -- we have no way of knowing at this time whether Marc was among this group, or if he was even at the party at all. Jordan was among four detainees released after booking -- the other ten, including Eric, were held overnight.

The New York Islanders have re-signed left wing Chris Simon, according to the NHLPA website. Terms are not yet known, however the Ontario native will be making $475, 000 next season. Details to follow.

I know you all remember him from that vicious, uncalled for use of his stick when he forgot he was playing hockey and swung for the right field fence against the Rangers Ryan Hollweg.

First Petr Nedved goes to the Russian Leagues...and now so does Alexei Yashin.

The Russian centre agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Locomotiv (Yaroslavl) of the Russian League on Friday, bolting the NHL after 12 seasons. Russian teams do not disclose financial terms but The Canadian Press can confirm the deal does not include an out clause to return to the NHL next season.

Todd Diamond, who is the agent for Yashin, said other NHL teams came calling - although it's believed with low-ball offers - but that Yaroslavl was relentless in its bid.

"They came after him very strongly," said Diamond. "He's going to go there and have a great year. . We'll see where we are 10 months from now.

He has 781 points (337-444) in 850 career regular-season games in the NHL. His best NHL season was 1998-99 in Ottawa when he had 94 points (44-50) in 82 games.

Speculation is surrounding the Rangers making room for Ed Jovanoski. Step one of the rumor is done, now if the Rangers trade Mara...do you think they will get Jovo? If they do what is your opinion on the transaction for both clubs?

The New York Islanders and Chris Campoli have agreed to terms on a three-year contract that will keep the 23-year-old defenseman an Islander through at least the 2009-10 season. In 131 career NHL games, all with the Islanders, Campoli has scored 10 goals with 38 assists for 48 points in two seasons.

The Islanders selected Campoli in the seventh round (227th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

John Ferguson passed away recently at the ripe age of 68. He suffered from prostrate cancer. Ferguson played eight seasons in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens. In 500 games, he amassed 145 goals and 158 assists. also, within those 500 games he totaled over 1,200 penalty minutes. He was surely one of the toughest guys of his era.

He was so tough, he got into his first NHL fight 12 seconds into his first game.

Ferguson was GM and coach of the New York Rangers for two tumultuous years to 1978; GM of the Winnipeg Jets, and briefly coach, from 1979 to 1988; manager of Windsor Raceway between hockey jobs; director of player personnel for the Ottawa Senators from 1992 to 1995; and a senior scout for the San Jose Sharks since 1995.

May God rest his soul.

The Coyotes, a team that will need salary when they move Reinprect, Jovonavski, and Morris, may make a move for Paul Mara soon. The Rangers are said they have to need to move either Mara or Cullen if they are to have any chance of signing Avery. It is possible that the both could be moved and Jovonavski could be a Ranger as well sources have told me. "The Rangers really are only an experience d-man away." Jovo would waive his No Trading Clause to come to the Rangers.

The Blues have also been showing interest in Cullen

I read the NY Post today and it had an article regarding the rumours of Cullen being traded back to Carolina. In the article it stated that Cullen has heard of the rumors but, has not been confronted about anything involving a trade.

"I haven't asked to be traded, I haven't said that I'd like to be traded, and I don't want to be traded," Cullen told The New York Post.

Cullen, whom signed a three year deal worth 2.8 million per, will now be the third line center as, you all know, the NY Rangers signed two of the three biggest free agent centers that were out there. Originally he was rumoured to be traded so the Rangers can make room for Souray, who just signed a five year deal with the Edmonton Oilers.

"I've been hearing my name lately in rumors, but none of it is coming from me. I'm excited about the team. I want to be a part of it."

Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford wouldn't comment specifically on Cullen, but he told the Raleigh News & Observer that Carolina is pursuing a third-line center.

Sheldon Souray is on his way to Edmonton as the Oilers and the free agent blueliner agreed on a contract.

According to the rumors, Souray was liable to end up back in New Jersey, New York or in San Jose. While the Oilers were always included in the mix, the Devils and Rangers were thought to be the front runners.

The two-time All-Star played three seasons with the Devils before being traded to the Canadiens in 2000 in a deal for Vladimir Malakhov.

According to the Oilers web-site the deal is for 5 years.

Oilers General Manager Kevin Lowe says, "With the addition of Sheldon, we solidify our defence in a big way and also answer some of the issues regarding scoring and toughness. Sheldon's game has consistently improved and we're going to rely on him in many different situations."

Today the Los Angeles Kings announced they have extended the contract of Lubomir Visnovsky for another five years. The Kings have solid top four defenseman in Visnovsky, Blake, Stuart, and Preissing.

''I'm very happy that I'll be staying with this organization for a long time,'' said Visnovsky from his off-season home in Slovakia. ''I love Los Angeles and I want to play in the playoffs with the Kings.''

Last season he posted a total of 67 points, and for the first time in Kings history a defenseman led the team in overall points.

The 31-year-old Visnovsky has played in 417 games over six seasons with the Kings (2000-07) and he ranks fourth all-time in goals (62), assists (176) and points (238) by a Kings defenseman.

Alexei Yashins agent says he is not happy with the offers he getting from teams inquiring about him.

As most of you know the Islanders bought out their ex-Captains contract, probably because he went scoreless against the Presidents Trophy winning Buffalo Sabres in the first round this year. Even though Yashin missed 24 games he still had 18 goals and 32 assists.

Yashins agent say if he does not get the money they are looking for, then Alexei will definitely play in Russia next season.

First let me explain myself on the punching bag phrase. Please recall Last Year when he and Colton Orr got into a fight and Todd was knocked out cold by a furious right hand. Just a little payback for what he and Eager were doing to the Rangers the last time they played...

The Dallas Stars took a dip into the free agent pool on Monday as they announced the signing of winger Todd Fedoruk to a one-year, $875,000 contract.

The Redwater, Alberta native had three goals and 11 assists with 120 penalty minutes last season as he split time between the Anaheim Ducks and the Philadelphia Flyers. In 354 career games, Fedoruk has 17 goals and 48 assists.

The New Jersey Devils signed free-agent defenceman Vitaly Vishnevski to a US$5.4-million, three-year contract on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old split last season with Atlanta and Nashville and recorded 13 points (3-10) in 67 games.

'' Vitaly Vishnevski is a defenceman who brings a physical presence to our hockey team,'' Devils President and GM Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. ''He has both size and experience, and we feel he can play our type of hockey.''

He'll earn $1.4 million next season and $2 million each of the two years beyond that.