COLUMBUS, Ohio — Coach Ken Hitchcock signed a three-year contract extension with the Blue Jackets on Wednesday, saying he welcomes the chance to turn the only NHL team not to make the playoffs into winners.
“This is a challenge I want badly,” said Hitchcock, whose new deal will keep him behind the bench through the 2011-2012 season. “I want to be the coach that takes this team to the highest level.”
Hitchcock, 56, has a career NHL record of 470-314-117 at Dallas, Philadelphia and Columbus. His Stars won the Stanley Cup in 1999.
Meanwhile, general manager Scott Howson said holdover center Michael Peca was close to signing a one-year contract.
“Michael Peca’s signing is imminent,” Howson said. “He has the contract in his hands now. It was agreed to (Tuesday). As soon as we get it back and signed, we’ll make that announcement.”
Peca had eight goals and 26 assists last year, third-best on the team with 34 points.
Footnotes.
Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff re-signed with the Sharks, agreeing to a three-year deal worth $9.3 million. He had one goal and 21 assists last season in 77 games, leading the team with 108 blocked shots.
• The Islanders signed alternate captain Brendan Witt to a two-year contract extension worth $6 million through the 2010-11 season.
• The Predators agreed to terms with forward Josh Gratton on a one-year, two-way contract. The left winger has played 67 NHL games with Phoenix and Philadelphia, scoring three points and racking up 237 penalty minutes.
• The Capitals agreed to terms with forward Sergei Fedorov for a one-year, $4 million contract and rewarded forward Brooks Laich’s career season (21 goals, 16 assists) with a three-year, $6.1 million deal.
• Defenseman Josh Gorges signed a three-year, $3.3 million contract with the Canadiens.
• The Hurricanes signed forward Chad LaRose to a one-year, $875,000 contract.
• The Thrashers re-signed forward Eric Boulton, an unrestricted free agent, to a multiyear deal.
The Associated Press
