Around The Rink

Buffalo Sabres captain Daniel Briere was awarded a one year, $5 million contract through arbitration. Buffalo has until 48 hours after its last hearing -- August 4, 2006 with Adam Mair -- to accept or decline the ruling. If the Sabres decline the ruling, Briere becomes an unrestricted free agent. Click over to James Mirtle who has some thoughts on this ruling and its implications. Buffalo also announced they have signed forward Ales Kotalik to a new contract. Chicago has hired former Florida, Ottawa, and Tampa Bay general manager Rick Dudley to be their assistant general manager under Dale Tallon. Los Angeles has signed forward Sean Avery -- perhaps best known for who he's dating and not really his game -- to a one year, $1.1 million contract. Avery was involved in a few incidents during last season that led everyone to think his days in LA were done. "This isn't like he's getting a clean slate with a new general manager and a new coach," Kings' first-year general manager Dean Lombardi told the [Los Angeles] Times. "He's still on double-secret probation." Montreal has signed general manager Bob Gainey -- one of the most respected men in the league -- to a contract extension through the 2009-2010 season. New York Islanders forward Mike York was awarded a one year, $2.85 million contract through arbitration. For the full arbitration schedule, click here. Flyers' GM Bob Clarke foresees no real problems in getting winger Simon Gagne signed to a contract. "We sent them a couple of things and we haven't heard back since," Clarke said. "We're just waiting to hear from him. There isn't anything scheduled. But I'm not concerned, it'll get done. It's July and [training camp] doesn't start until the middle of September." However, Clarke wasn't so carefree about the future of Flyers captain Keith Primeau. "We're not very optimistic right now," Clarke said. "We felt all along he was progressing real good and that he'd be ready for training camp, but this latest setback has really got us worried." TSN is reporting that Mark Recchi has signed a contract to return to Pittsburgh. No terms of the deal were announced. Also in Pittsburgh, the Penguins have rejected a bid to buy the team from a group that included Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino. For more NHL news, click here.