On the Wings

Defenseman Richard Matvichuk signed with the New Jersey Devils after spending 12 seasons with the Dallas Stars. In the 75 games he played last season, the 31-year-old brought in 21 points and 36 penalty minutes.

24-year old Vitaly Vishnevski re-signed today with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The defenseman was selected fifth overall in the ‘98 NHL Entry Draft. The Russian had his career high in points with 16 and led the team with a plus/minus rating of +10 at home. He has also been selected to represent Team Russia in the 2004 World Cup.

Restricted free-agent forward Ryan VandenBussche signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins today. He played with the Chicago Blackhawks last season and played 65 games notching four goals, one assist, and 120 penalty minutes.

Forward Mike Sillinger has been re-signed by the St. Louis Blues. After joining the Blues late in the season, he had five goals and five assists in 16 games. He spent most of the past season with the Phoenix Coyotes. “Mike gives us strength up the middle and his experience in the league will benefit the entire club,” Senior vice president and general manager Larry Pleau said. “He’s extremely effective at winning faceoffs, which is critical to any penalty killing unit, and he gives us some offensive capability as well.”

In other hockey news, I just discovered an online petition to award the one Pittsburg slots license to Penguins owner, Mario Lemieux, and for the proceeds to go towards building a new hockey arena. Very interesting. You go to a hockey game and out by the concession stands, there are lines of slot machines. Hmm…very unusual.