Yesterday was wild for many NHL teams. Free agent signings, trades, rumor, speculation, and whatever else you wanted, you got.

The Rangers, though, remained pretty quiet. They brought back Czech forward Martin Rucinsky for a third tour of duty, just a day after signing veteran Czech forward Martin Straka and big Czech defenseman Marek Malik, to join Czech superstar Jaromir Jagr. Now, if Slats can only convince Czech prospects Petr Prucha and Karel Rachunek to come to the Rangers, the New York Rangers/Czech National Team will be all but complete. It should be exciting having another Czech line(s), I mean with all the success that Petr Nedved, Jan Hlavac, and Radek Dvorak brought to NY.

Well, Sather did say he wanted to build around Jagr. I just didn't think it would be with Jaromir's 33 and 34 year old buddies.

Nonetheless, while I am poking fun at the situation, the signings should fare well for the Rangers. Rucinsky has been very good when he was with the team, and all of them should be able to take advantage of the new 'opened up' ice the NHL is promising.

The Rodent has some interviews with the 'new" guys.

The Rangers also resigned Thomas Pöck, who spent most of last year with Hartford.

Glen Sather was on the phone yesterday, calling season subscribers and thanking them for renewing their tickets.

Sather told one season-ticket holder named George: "There's going to be lots of kids. There could be 10 to 12 rookies on the team this year if things go the way we're looking at."

In other moves:

Former Ranger Brian Leetch signed a one-year deal with the Boston Bruins.

The Islanders were very busy yesterday. After signing free agent Miroslav Satan to a three-year deal, the Isles traded their captain, Michael Peca, to the Oilers in exchange for former Rangers fan favorite Mike York and a 1st round pick.

The Oilers, meanwhile, in addition to the Peca move, traded some younger defensemen for star Chris Pronger.

The Philadelphia Flyers are going for it this year. A day after signing big D-man Derrian Hatcher, they added possibly the best player in the game (when healthy), Peter Forsberg. The disturbing part of this deal is that it has been rumored that the Rangers offered more to Forsberg to come to NY, but he took less to play in Philly.

Alexei Kovalev is returning to the Montreal Canadiens with a four-year, $18 million dollar contract.

The Penguins seem like they want to make a run as well, as they locked up top scoring defenseman Sergei Gonchar for five years and $25 million.

Meanwhile, another top scoring defenseman, Scott Neidermayer, is making teams wait. It is rumored that there are three teams he is considering: the Devils, the Ducks, and the Sharks.

Mike Modano decided to leave Dallas. Then he changed his mind. Then he changed it again. Then again. Anyway, he ended up signing for five years, and most likely will complete his career with the club.

You can find these moves and others here.

Bird has a few random thoughts in the Birdcage.

HDH

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