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NHL Hockey Trade News, Contracts and Rumors - February 25, 2008

by Jeanne on February 25th, 2008

 The Atlanta Thrashers will not be extending Marian Hossa’s contract before the trade deadline despite the fact that I think he’s freaking awesome.  Thrashers GM Don Waddell said: “No, I don’t believe so at this point (when asked if signing Hossa before the trade deadline was a possibility).  We’re going to look at all our options at this point, look at what the market will pay.”

“Me and Don have had a great relationship since the beginning, since I came here,” Hossa said. “He was always great to me.”

Hossa becomes a free agent on July 1, 2008.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have locked up forward Alex Steen for a two-year, $3.4-million contract.  Steen has scored 10 goals and 16 assists in 56 games for Toronto this season and was chosen by the club with the 24th overall selection in the 2002 NHL entry draft.  He will earn $1.7 million in each of the next two seasons. via CBC Sports

The New York Islanders have given Trent Hunter a five-year extension.  Hunter, who was set to become a free agent in July, is making $1.55 million this season but I don’t have any salary information for the new deal which will keep him in NY until the 2012-13 season.  “This is what I was determined to see happen all along — a long-term deal,” Hunter said in a release. “The contract got done today with a lot of respect and class shown on both sides, so now it’s back to the race for the playoffs.”

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POSTED IN: Atlanta Thrashers, Fan Fare, New York Islanders, News, Signings and Contracts, Toronto Maple Leafs, Trades