Avalanche sign Anton Lindholm to 3-year entry-level deal

The Colorado Avalanche signed defenseman Anton Lindholm to a three-year entry-level contract Tuesday.

The 21-year-old spent this past season with Skelleftea AIK of the Swedish Hockey League where he posted four assists in a limited 30 games - due to an injury - and added another helper in 16 playoff games.

Lindholm was drafted by the Avalanche in the fifth round in 2014 and most recently suited up in three games for Sweden at the World Hockey Championship.

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Blackhawks officially sign Kempny, 2 others to 1-year deals

After a deal was reported Monday, the Chicago Blackhawks officially signed Czech defenseman Michal Kempny to a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.

Kempny recorded 21 points in 59 games in the KHL last season, and has already been named to the Czech Republic's team for September's World Cup of Hockey.

The Blackhawks also signed two players from Sweden - goaltender Lars Johansson and forward Martin Lundberg - to one-year contracts.

Johansson, 28, led the Swedish Hockey League with a 1.74 goals-against average this past season, while Lundberg, 25, recorded 13 goals and eight assists in 44 games.

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Bruins sign Seth Griffith to 2-way deal

The Boston Bruins announced a pair of signings Tuesday, including a one-year two-way contract with premier American Hockey League scorer Seth Griffith.

Related: Bruins sign Kevan Miller to 4-year, $10M extension

Griffith racked up 24 goals and led the league with 53 assists in 57 games for the Providence Bruins last season, also appearing in four games with the big club.

His numbers indicate that he has the capacity to translate his scoring to the NHL level. In a limited sample - 34 games across two seasons - he's scored six goals and 11 points.

The fifth-round draft selection in 2012 was a first-team AHL All-Star in 2016.

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Jets’ Scheifele: Patrik Laine ‘pretty unbelievable’

After spending much of the World Championship gold medal game shutting down Finland's top line, Canadian forward Mark Scheifele couldn't help but compliment a young forward on the opposing team - who may be his future Winnipeg Jets teammate - Patrik Laine.

"He's pretty unbelievable," Scheifele said, via Luke Fox of Sportsnet on Tuesday. "He's obviously young, and sometimes you can tell that, but his skill level (and) his shot is outrageous. He skates really well."

Scheifele saw a lot of the teenager in Sunday's final, where Canada finished the tournament with a 2-0 win, but it was Laine who was later name the tournament's Best Forward and MVP.

The Jets are widely expected to select the Finnish winger with the second overall pick at the NHL draft, with the Toronto Maple Leafs likely to pick Auston Matthews with the first selection.

"You can tell he's going to be a very special player," Scheifele said. "I know if we end up getting him, he'll definitely be a huge improvement to our team. He'll fit in well for sure."

In order for him to play alongside Laine, Scheifele still requires a new contract for next season, and the restricted free agent said there was nothing new to report regarding negotiations.

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Blues turn to Elliott for elimination Game 6

Brian Elliott will be back in net when the St. Louis Blues attempt to stave off elimination for a third time in these playoffs Wednesday in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final versus the San Jose Sharks.

Head coach Ken Hitchcock confirmed Tuesday that Elliott will return to the starter's role after Jake Allen started Games 4 and 5.

Hitchcock said fatigue factored into his decision to turn to Allen, but affirmed his commitment to the veteran starter.

"We got the jolt we needed from Jake," he said. "These are Brian's playoffs. We'd like to see him finish the job."

Elliott made 17 consecutive starts for St. Louis to begin its postseason run, and was integral in the club's seven-game victories over the two highest-scoring teams in the Western Conference.

He's 9-8-2 with a .925 save percentage in his postseason appearances this spring.

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Blues turn to Elliott for elimination Game 6

Brian Elliott will be back in net when the St. Louis Blues attempt to stave off elimination for a third time in these playoffs Wednesday in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final versus the San Jose Sharks.

Head coach Ken Hitchcock confirmed Tuesday that Elliott will return to the starter's role after Jake Allen started Games 4 and 5.

Hitchcock said fatigue factored into his decision to turn to Allen, but affirmed his commitment to the veteran starter.

"We got the jolt we needed from Jake," he said. "These are Brian's playoffs. We'd like to see him finish the job."

Elliott made 17 consecutive starts for St. Louis to begin its postseason run, and was integral in the club's seven-game victories over the two highest-scoring teams in the Western Conference.

He's 9-8-2 with a .925 save percentage in his postseason appearances this spring.

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Bruins sign Kevan Miller to 4-year, $10M extension

The Boston Bruins and defenseman Kevan Miller have agreed to a four-year, $10-million contract extension, general manager Don Sweeney announced Tuesday.

In his first full NHL campaign, the 28-year-old set career highs in goals (five), assists (13), and games played (71). The stay-at-home defenseman was second on his team in both hits (164) and blocked shots (123) this season.

Miller will now avoid unrestricted free agency, after publicly sharing his hope to remain in Boston at the end of the regular season.

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Bruins sign Kevan Miller to 4-year, $10M extension

The Boston Bruins and defenseman Kevan Miller have agreed to a four-year, $10-million contract extension, general manager Don Sweeney announced Tuesday.

In his first full NHL campaign, the 28-year-old set career highs in goals (five), assists (13), and games played (71). The stay-at-home defenseman was second on his team in both hits (164) and blocked shots (123) this season.

Miller will now avoid unrestricted free agency, after publicly sharing his hope to remain in Boston at the end of the regular season.

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