Scott Gomez's stellar play in the American Hockey League has earned him a NHL contract.
The Ottawa Senators have signed the 36-year-old to a one-year contract that will keep him with the team for the rest of the season.
One-way deal at $575,000 for Scott Gomez. Gives them some depth for the rest of the season. He was in Hershey on a PTO. #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) March 2, 2016
Gomez began the season with the St. Louis Blues, but was released by the club after managing just one goal and eight points in 21 games.
He was subsequently signed to a professional tryout contract by the Washington Capitals' AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. There, he lit it up, posting four goals and 24 points in 18 games.
Gomez should provide the team with some short-term relief after the Senators announced Monday that forward Kyle Turris would be shut down indefinitely as he deals with a high ankle sprain.
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The Florida Panthers have added another talented prospect to their arsenal.
The team signed Moose Jaw Warriors forward Dryden Hunt to an entry-level contract Wednesday, general manager Dale Tallon announced.
The 20-year-old leads the Western Hockey League with 50 goals through 63 games, 11 more than Boston Bruins draft pick Jesse Gabrielle, who sits second.
Hunt was named the WHL's Player of the Month for January and followed that up with five hat tricks in February. His 102 points also slot him just two back of top spot in the league.
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The NHL's fourth all-time leading scorer, Jaromir Jagr, was an obvious omission from the Czech Republic's roster for the World Cup of Hockey, named Wednesday.
The Florida Panthers forward was expected to be left off, but he may still be included when the remaining roster spots are announced no later than June 1 - as could his new Panthers teammate Jiri Hudler.
Jagr has already retired from the Czech national team, notes Sportsnet's Chris Johnston, and has been "coy" regarding his involvement in the World Cup.
Jaromir Jagr not on First 16 Czech roster for World Cup. Allows federation and 44-year-old to decide by June 1.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) March 2, 2016
F Michael Frolik, Calgary Flames
F Martin Hanzal, Arizona Coyotes
F Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks
F David Krejci, Boston Bruins
F Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning
F David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
F Tomas Plekanec, Montreal Canadiens
F Vladimir Sobotka, Avangard Omsk (KHL)
F Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers
D Radko Gudas, Philadelphia Flyers
D Michal Kempny, Avangard Omsk (KHL)
D Roman Polak, San Jose Sharks
D Andrej Sustr, Tampa Bay Lightning
G Petr Mrazek, Detroit Red Wings
G Michal Neuvirth, Philadelphia Flyers
G Ondrej Pavelec, Winnipeg Jets
Related: World Cup of Hockey roster announcements schedule
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Even though they no longer wear the same jersey, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil Kessel will always have Dion Phaneuf's back.
Kessel, who played alongside Phaneuf for six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, said his former teammate was often mistreated throughout his tenure as captain of the team.
"Obviously, Dion is a great player and a good friend of mine," Kessel said Tuesday. "I think he's misunderstood in Toronto. I think a lot of times he wasn't treated fairly through the media and through the fans."
The 28-year-old sniper adds that the duo have kept in touch, and that Phaneuf is embracing his new role with the Ottawa Senators.
"I've talked to (Phaneuf) a little bit," Kessel said. "He's a professional. I think he knows now you can always get traded in this league."
Phaneuf has certainly found his game since being traded. The 30-year-old has recorded one goal and six assists in 10 games with his new club.
The two former teammates will face off against each other for the first time since the trade on April 5 in Ottawa.
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Finland's initial World Cup of Hockey roster announced Wednesday features 10 forwards, four defensemen, and two goalies.
Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask - who shut out the U.S. in the bronze-medal game at the Sochi Olympics, making 27 saves in a 5-0 win - will be back in the crease. Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne was also named to the team. Up front, Leo Komarov will represent the Maple Leafs at the tournament in Toronto.
Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Joonas Donskoi, San Jose Sharks
Valtteri Filppula, Tampa Bay Lightning
Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild
Jussi Jokinen, Florida Panthers
Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild
Leo Komarov, Toronto Maple Leafs
Lauri Korpikoski, Edmonton Oilers
Jori Lehtera, St. Louis Blues
Teuvo Teravainen, Chicago Blackhawks
Esa Lindell, Texas Stars (AHL) – Dallas Stars hold NHL rights
Olli Maatta, Pittsburgh Penguins
Rasmus Ristolainen, Buffalo Sabres
Sami Vatanen, Anaheim Ducks
Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins
Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
Related: World Cup of Hockey roster announcements schedule
Finland was the runner-up at the last World Cup, held in 2004.
The tournament begins on Sept. 17. Final 23-man rosters must be announced no later than June 1.
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