Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Deadline Day in the NHL; Foppa returns to the Avs; Oil's Moreau out for the season; Blues pull Jackman off the market; Flyers' Richards out three weeks; McCarty back with Wings; and more...

D-DAY 
The NHL trade deadline is set for 3pm ET today, and, as is usually the case, the last trade announcements generally trickle in by 6pm. Will this year's event be a busy one, or will it mainly highlight role players?

Fans could see more than just trades, too. It's also the deadline for signing unrestricted free agents. The Detroit Red Wings have already added Darren McCarty to the roster, while the Avs have signed Peter Forsberg. And what about Stanislav Chistov? The Bruins have convinced him to cross the pond once more and play for their AHL affiliate.

With Mats Sundin taking his name off the trading block, and Calgary GM Darryl Sutter confirming that Alex Tanguay is not on the block, there exists the possibility that no big names will be moved. Nonetheless, even if that were to be the case, there should be plenty of prospects, draft picks and role players switching jerseys on what is traditionally a very busy day.

Draft picks being moved? Well, that's certainly nothing to sneeze at. In fact, there have been some draft picks moved on deadline day that have completely changed the face of a franchise. For example: In 1998, the Lightning traded Jason Weimer to Calgary for Sandy McCarthy and third- and fifth-round picks. The third-rounder turned out to be Brad Richards. In 1999, the Sabres acquired Rhett Warrener and a fifth for Mike Wilson That fifth-rounder turned into Ryan Miller. And in 2001, the Kings gave the Maple Leafs Aki Berg for Adam Mair. Los Angeles also got a second-round pick in that deal and they used it to draft Mike Cammalleri.

Therefore, let's not think for a minute that a slow deadline day will have little impact. A lot can happen as a result of just the smallest, most seemingly insignificant move.

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AVALANCHE 
The Avs announced Monday that they have come to terms with unrestricted free agent pivot Peter Forsberg. The team signed the former NHL superstar to a contract that will see him play for them through the remainder of the regular season and the postseason. The deal comes as a surprise to many, because it was just a couple of weeks ago that Forsberg announced through his agent that he did not feel comfortable enough that he could play at 100 percent for an NHL team this year. Forsberg has been suffering with a problem in his foot and has spent the better part of two-plus years trying to find a specialized boot that would keep it steady in the skate. Forsberg played 10 seasons with the Colorado franchise, starting his career with the Quebec Nordiques. He has 871 points in 697 career games. The deal is said to be worth $5 million, which pro-rates to approximately $1 million.

BLUES 
You can stroke Barret Jackman off the trade market. He won't be going anywhere at the deadline as the Blues have signed the rearguard to a contract extension. The 2002-03 Calder Trophy winner has eight points in 58 games this year. The B.C. native was drafted by the Blues 17th overall in the 1999 Entry Draft. Meanwhile, the team also recalled goaltender Hannu Toivonen from Peoria and sent down goalie Chris Beckford-Tseu. Toivonen will again back up Manny Legace.

DUCKS 
Teemu Selanne's hat trick and five-point night Sunday not only earned him one of the NHL's three weekly stars, but the goals gave him 546 in his illustrious career, passing the legendary Maurice "Rocket" Richard and into 25th on the all-time list. Selanne now has six goals and 11 points in 10 games since making his return to the NHL.

FLYERS 
Philadelphia received terrible news Monday. Mike Richards tore his hamstring and will be out for at least three weeks. The young star was enjoying a career season with 66 points, but missing the next 10 games or more will likely cost him an 80-point campaign. In other Flyers news, Jesse Boulerice was back in the lineup Monday against the Sabres. He only saw a handful of shifts but still managed to get seven minutes in penalties in the 4-3 shootout victory.

MAPLE LEAFS 
Winger Alexei Ponikarovsky couldn't dress Monday as a result of a rib injury, so the Leafs called up Robbie Earl from the Marlies. Earl impressed the team in his first stint with his hustle and determination. He was used sparingly Monday, despite the fact that the team held a 5-0 lead throughout much of the contest. Toronto beat the Senators by that same score thanks to three-point nights from Darcy Tucker and Matt Stajan. The team also scored three power-play goals. Vesa Toskala made 31 saves for the shutout.

OILERS 
Monday morning brought bad news for the Oilers when it was confirmed that their captain, Ethan Moreau, would be out for the rest of the season with a fractured tibia suffered late in Sunday's game against the Avalanche. The injury happened in the final moments of the game, as Moreau tried to nab a pass along the boards and twisted his ankle awkwardly. Amazingly, the warrior finished his shift. Moreau joins Sheldon Souray, Shawn Horcoff and Raffi Torres on the list of players who are done until next training camp. To add insult to his injury, Moreau was playing in his 500th game as an Oiler when the injury occurred.

PENGUINS 
Forward Nathan Smith has cleared waivers and so the Penguins assigned him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. Smith was pointless in 12 contests with the big club and has yet to earn an NHL point in 16 career games with Pittsburgh and Vancouver. With forward Erik Christensen back in the lineup, the team had to make room.

RED WINGS 
The Red Wings have signed veteran right wing Darren McCarty to a one-year deal Monday. He will remain in Grand Rapids for a 14-day conditioning stint. McCarty signed with the Griffins on February 1 and has picked up seven points and 19 penalty minutes in nine contests. McCarty spent the last two seasons with the Flames, appearing in 99 games. The 35-year-old began his NHL career when he was drafted by Detroit in the second round of the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. He played 11 seasons for the Wings, helping the team win three Stanley Cups. The Wings needed to have McCarty signed by 3pm on February 26 in order for him to be eligible for the postseason.

SENATORS 
Rookie Nick Foligno stayed up with the big club on Monday, as Dean McAmmond was scratched due to the flu. Goaltender Ray Emery gave up five goals on just 21 shots by the lowly Leafs as the floundering Sens got hammered 5-0. The team gave up three power-play goals in the contest.

STARS 
The Stars activated rearguard Philippe Boucher off injured reserve on Monday. The veteran has missed 38 games while recovering from shoulder surgery. The 34-year-old is coming off of a career season in which he tallied 19 goals and 51 points in 2006-07. Dallas lines up against St. Louis on Tuesday and Boucher is expected to be in the lineup.