Kyle Baun has seen just five games at the NHL level, but the powerhouse Chicago Blackhawks - a team constantly finessing around the league's tight salary parameters - have seen enough to want him on their books for another two seasons.

Chicago has signed Baun to a two-year, one-way contract extension that will carry a guaranteed $625,000 cap hit, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports.

The agreement should give the bottom-six forward every opportunity to make and stick with the club next season.

He has three assists in 22 games with the Rockford IceHogs in this, his first pro season. He failed to hit the score sheet in five starts with the Blackhawks.

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Niklas Backstrom was once a William M. Jennings Award winner for helping the Minnesota Wild to the NHL's best goals-against average.

Now, nine years later, he's a salary dump with a misspelled nameplate.

First team skate for Niklas Backstrom. Hartley would not commit to Backstrom getting a start in next homestand pic.twitter.com/FRdkssRr0L

— Roger Millions (@RogMillions) March 3, 2016

In the Flames' defense, they were quite close.

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Niklas Backstrom was once a William M. Jennings Award winner for helping the Minnesota Wild to the NHL's best goals-against average.

Now, nine years later, he's a salary dump with a misspelled nameplate.

First team skate for Niklas Backstrom. Hartley would not commit to Backstrom getting a start in next homestand pic.twitter.com/FRdkssRr0L

— Roger Millions (@RogMillions) March 3, 2016

In the Flames' defense, they were quite close.

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Rick Nash is slowly but surely on his way back to the New York Rangers' lineup.

The winger skated for 15 minutes in Pittsburgh on Thursday, marking the first time he's taken to the ice in more than a month as a result of a bone bruise on his left leg.

Nash admitted the injury has taken far longer to recover from than anticipated and expects to be back to game action in 10-to-14 days.

"I thought it was going to be a day-to-day thing, take a few days to get better; seemed like it was one of those injuries that had to get worse before it got better, and that was the case. We just took our time," he said after the skate, according to Steve Zipay of Newsday.

"I didn't do anything crazy, stops and starts, so it's going to be a bit of a process to get my legs back, my wind back, get my timing back. The big thing now is that hopefully there's no setbacks. Right now I'm focused on getting better each day and today was a great step."

Nash recorded 12 goals and 21 assists in 45 games for the Rangers prior to suffering the injury.

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NEW YORK, N.Y. - New Jersey Devils forward Devante Smith-Pelly has been fined $2,000 for diving/embellishment. The NHL announced the fine Thursday. Smith-Pelly, acquired by the Devils in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 29, receive...

A pair of New Jersey Devils forwards have been fined for embellishment.

Joseph Blandisi and recently acquired Devante Smith-Pelly have each been fined $2000 - under NHL Rule 64 - for diving/embellishment, the league announced Thursday.

Related - VIDEO: Devils' Blandisi called for hilariously blatant dive

Both players were previously issued warnings for separate incidents, and were fined following the second infraction.

Smith-Pelly - while playing for the Montreal Canadiens - was given the fine after embellishing a slashing penalty on Feb. 24 against the Washington Capitals.

NHL release on Smith-Pelly says his fine "will be included in Montreal's accumulation totals."

— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) March 3, 2016

Blandisi drew a minor penalty on Feb. 23 versus the New York Rangers, and was also assessed a penalty for embellishment on the play.

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Carey Price delivered the best news the Montreal Canadiens and their fans have heard in a very long time.

The defending Vezina and Hart Trophy winner met the media Thursday, and said he's feeling good about the possibility of returning this season.

"I'm pretty confident," Price said of a return. "I'm not going to set any timelines. But as far as the way things are progressing, it's looking pretty good."

Carey Price says his goal is to return to the #habs crease this season. "I'd rather do it sooner than later."

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 3, 2016

Related: Carey Price facing shots for 1st time since injury

Earlier in the day, Price faced shots from injured teammate David Desharnais. It was his first time stopping a puck since suffering a lower-body injury against the New York Rangers on Nov. 25.

"It felt great. I haven't seen a shot in over three months," Price said. "To be able to go on the ice and put in real work is really fun for me."

Price also confirmed he hasn't experienced any setbacks in his rehabilitation, and though the process is taking longer than expected, he's progressing daily.

Habs Carey Price says he's really "turned the corner" in his long rehabilitation.

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) March 3, 2016

"Especially this week since starting to skate in my full equipment. I'm starting to push my limits more and more," Price added.

The 28-year-old posted an impressive record of 10-2-0 with a 2.06 GAA and .934 save percentage before going down with the ailment. The Canadiens are 20-26-6 without him in the lineup.

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TORONTO - Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock couldn't have been more pleased with the second NHL game of 22-year-old Russian Nikita Soshnikov. Soshnikov, a free agent signing of the Leafs last spring, scored a goal, racked up six hits, took ...

The Dallas Stars will be without forward Patrick Sharp for at least two games due to a lower-body injury.

Sharp suffered the ailment Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. He tried to play through it Tuesday versus the Nashville Predators, but eventually left the game and didn't return.

Patrick Sharp out 5-7 days. Jordie Benn 1-2 weeks. Both lower body.

— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) March 3, 2016

The 34-year-old has 17 goals and 30 assists in 65 games this season.

Jordie Benn will also be out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury. He's expected to miss one-to-two weeks.

The 28-year-old defenseman has recorded one goal and eight assists in 56 contests.

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Carey Price continues to make significant progress in his recovery from a lower-body injury that's kept him out of the lineup since Nov. 25.

Related: Carey Price skates in full equipment

Just a day after being named to Team Canada's 16-man preliminary roster for the World Cup of Hockey, Price was back on the ice in full equipment, facing shots for the first time since suffering the ailment.

#canadiens David Desharnais is shooting on Carey Price. #tvasports

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) March 3, 2016

There's still no timetable for his return, but it appears as though last year's Hart Trophy winner is another step closer to returning to the crease for the Montreal Canadiens.

The 28-year-old posted an impressive record of 10-2-0 with a 2.06 GAA and .934 save percentage before going down with the injury.

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