Devils lose Martin, add Tallinder and Volchenkov

Hours after losing Paul Martin to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New Jersey Devils quickly replaced him by signing veteran defensemen Henrik Tallinder and Anton Volchenkov.

New Jersey also added a new backup goalie, signing veteran Johan Hedberg to play behind Martin Brodeur.

Don Meehan, Tallinder's agent, confirmed on Thursday that the Swede had agreed to a $13.5 million contract on the first day of the NHL's free agent signing period.

Devils president Lou Lamoriello confirmed the signings of Volchenkov and Hedberg.

Pens build 'D', lose Gonchar

The Penguins committed $45 million on Thursday to sign defensemen Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek to five-year contracts after failing to reach terms with Sergei Gonchar and Dan Hamhuis.

Martin, who made $4.5 million with Atlantic Division-rival New Jersey last season, will make $25 million over five seasons with Pittsburgh - the kind of money the Penguins normally pay to premier offensive players.

Gonchar signed a three-year contract with Ottawa after the Penguins refused to budge from their offer of two seasons. Gonchar played for Pittsburgh for five seasons, and was second to Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom in points per game among defensemen during that time.

Hamhuis to Canucks

Highly sought free agent defenseman Dan Hamhuis finally found a home - close to home - with the Vancouver Canucks.

Twice traded since the end of the season to teams hoping to sign the talented defenseman, Hamhuis reached a six-year, $27 million deal with the Canucks on Thursday.The San Jose Sharks have signed goalie Antero Niittymaki to a two-year, $4 million deal.

The Sharks moved quickly Thursday to replace longtime goalie Evgeni Nabokov after telling him last month they wouldn't re-sign him.

Niittymaki spent last season in Tampa Bay after playing four full NHL seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Finnish goalie went 21-18 with a 2.87 goals-lagainst average last year. - AP