BOSTON — Mark Recchi, the NHL’s sixth-leading active goal scorer, signed a one-year deal Thursday to return to the Bruins.
The Bruins acquired Recchi from Tampa Bay on March 4 as they tried to improve for the stretch drive. Boston finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference but lost to the Hurricanes in a seven-game, second-round series.
Recchi, 41, has been part of three Stanley Cup-winning teams — Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992 and Carolina in 2006. He has 545 goals and 897 assists for 1,442 points in 1,490 regular-season games for seven clubs. He had six goals and 10 assists in 18 regular-season games with Boston.
“There were so many teams that expressed interest, a couple in particular, that he might have played,” agent Richard Curran said. “He’s still got lots of gas in his tank.”
Panthers sign Leopold
MIAMI — Defenseman Jordan Leopold, acquired in the deal that sent the rights to defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to Calgary, signed a one-year contract with the Panthers.
Leopold, who has been traded four times, played in 83 games for the Flames and Colorado during the 2008-09 season.
The Panthers also announced that defenseman Clay Wilson signed a two-year deal.
Skrastins goes to Stars
DALLAS — The Stars signed former Avs defenseman Karlis Skrastins to a two-year deal worth $2.75 million.
Skrastins played in 80 games for the Panthers last season and had four goals, 14 assists, 18 points and led the team with 171 blocked shots.
Wild pursuing elder Koivu
MINNEAPOLIS — Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher confirmed the team’s interest in Saku Koivu, the top center on the NHL’s open market.
Koivu would fill a glaring need at a critical position for Minnesota and, in turn, be able to play with his younger brother, Mikko.
Saku Koivu, who has played his entire career for the Canadiens, had 16 goals and 34 assists last season, right around his career averages for full seasons.
Footnotes.
Forward Nik Antropov, who set a career high with 59 points and 28 goals with the Maple Leafs and the Rangers last season, signed a four-year, $16 million contract with the Thrashers.
• The Blackhawks signed John Madden, adding a veteran center who has spent his entire 10-year career with the Devils.
• The Kings lured defenseman Rob Scuderi away from the Penguins with a four-year deal.
• The Hurricanes re-signed forward Chad LaRose to a two-year deal.
• The Coyotes signed left wing Stefan Meyer and defenseman Adrian Aucoin to one-year contracts.
• Forward Mikhail Grabov- ski signed an $8.7 million, three-year deal with the Maple Leafs. The Associated Press
