Afternoon Hits: Leighton, Borowiecki, Ceci and Milano
  • Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: The Blackhawks have signed 33-year old goaltender Michael Leighton to a one-year deal. Leighton played with Donbass of the KHL last season. He’ll give the Blackhawks depth in net with Rockford of the AHL. Antti Raanta will backup Corey Crawford.
  • Don Brennan: The Senators have signed Mark Borowiecki to a three-year, $3.3 million deal. He’ll get $1 million, $1.1 million and then $1.2 million.
  • Ian Mendes: The Borowiecki signing is a little strange, but maybe it could mean another move is coming. James Gordon: Could mean that Cody Ceci starts in the AHL and the Sens carry seven defensemen and await for an injury to occur.
  • Aaron Portzline: Boston College coach Jerry York indicates that Blue Jackets may have been steering Sonny Milano’s decision to forgo BC and make the move to the OHL.

    “Sonny has informed me that he will sign a contract with Columbus,” York told his sports information department on Saturday. “They (the Blue Jackets) will dictate his path as he embarks on his pro career.”

    The Blue Jackets weren’t too thrilled with York’s comment and GM Jarmo Kekalainen responded with:

    “We have a lot of respect for Boston College and their program, their ability to develop players,” said Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen, who has known York for many years. “We have the same kind of respect for Plymouth and their ability to develop players … which is why we didn’t get involved in (Milano’s) decision. We left it up to the kid from the get-go.”

    The Blue Jackets don’t have a entry-level contract offer on the table Milano.

    “The situation has changed,” Kekalainen said. “If we have a first-round draft pick who is not protecting his college eligibility, we’re going to have contract talks. That’s what every team does. That’s what we’ve done with (Alex) Wennberg, (Kerby) Rychel … everybody.

    “But it has not started yet. There’s nothing on the table.”