There have been more signings over the past week or so, so let's get to it shall we? Lots of activity in New York where the Islanders stopped the bleeding somewhat and landed Bill Guerin and Mike Comrie. Across the Sound, the Rangers brought back Brendan Shanahan. In New Jersey, the Devils reached for Dainius Zubris to fill the void left by the departed Scott Gomez. Vitaly Vishnevski and Karel Rachunek also recently signed and will try to fill the hole left by Brian Rafalski. And finally in the Swamp, Kevin Weeks signed to play maybe 6 games for the Devils behind Martin Brodeur.

Signing Guerin was a stop-gap move for the Islanders to be sure, and then naming him the captain of the team...? Might be some depth issues on the island! The Islanders over-achieved last season, as did Guerin, and his stint with the Islanders will not make them a playoff team... and his stats will suffer. It's hard to remember that Mike Comrie is only 28, but he is. It seems that he has been under-achieving so much longer than that. He played better when with the Senators, and even moved to the wing for more playing time. Expect him back down the middle with the departure of Yashin, where he should be valuable on the PP. 60 points is not out of the questions, but his +/- will not be very good. With the Rangers, Brendan Shanahan likely can't wait to lace 'em up with either Gomez or Drury. Gomez is the much better play-maker and if the Rangers are smart they'll make sure that sure-handed sniper Shanahan lands on the wing with him. Always a quick starter, Shanny might have 20 goals before Christmas and then fade a little as the season wears on. Right now, we'd buy low if you can. With the Devils, prepare yourself for some pretty brutal and boring hockey. Losing Rafalski and Gomez and replacing them with Zubruis and Vishnevski is going to mean many "defense first" games for the Devils who will hope that Elias and Gionta can score when they are on the PP. Brodeur will see lots of rubber again this season, but the Devils will ensure those shots are from well out, save for the PP. It will be effective, but it won't be pretty...at all. If Zubruis scores 50 points, I'll be amazed. I'd try and move Elias as well. Last year when Gomez was gone, the Devils' offense disappeared too. Expect more of the same...but all season. Rachunek is a serviceable offensive defenceman, with 25+ point potential. Vishnevski is even less. Just be warned. Now the Devils are rumored to be interested in Alexi Yashin, but it would have to be at the right price and loaded with incentives. Yashin might at least soften the sting of Gomez leaving but it hard to envision him signing there without the Devils naming a coach first....Weekes owners should unload him for whatever they can get - team bus, bag of pucks...heck even a 10th round DP. Unless Marty goes down with a serious injury, Kevin won't see more than a week of playing time this year.