Right wing Valeri Bure returned to one of his former teams Wednesday when the Florida Panthers claimed him off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

The Panthers traded Bure to St. Louis on March 11 in exchange for defenseman Mike Van Ryn.

Bure scored 13 goals and had 31 assists in 77 games over parts of two seasons with the Panthers.

In 51 games with Florida and St. Louis last season, Bure had just five goals -- the lowest total in any of his previous seven full NHL seasons. Bure failed to score a goal in his final 36 regular-season games last year, then in six more postseason contests with the Blues.

Bure is the younger brother of another former Panther, center Pavel Bure of the New York Rangers.

New York Islanders: The team re-signed rugged forward Eric Godard on Wednesday to a two-year contract.

The right wing had no points and 48 penalty minutes in 19 games with the Islanders last season. He also played 46 games for the Islanders' American Hockey League affiliate in Bridgeport, Conn., and led the team with 199 penalty minutes.

``There's no doubt Eric's a big part of our future,'' general manager Mike Milbury said. ``He brings a lot of intangibles and he's worked hard over the last two years to become a well-rounded player.''

Godard was acquired from Florida before the 2001-02 season.

Calgary Flames: Calgary on Wednesday signed three young players, including left wing Oleg Saprykin, their first-round draft choice in 1999.

Defenseman Steve Montador and goaltender Dany Sabourin also signed on Wednesday. Terms of all three contracts were not disclosed.

The 22-year-old Saprykin played 52 games for the Flames last season and had eight goals and 15 assists with 46 penalty minutes.

Montador appeared in 50 games, scoring a goal and an assist while adding 114 penalty minutes.

Sabourin played in his first full season with the Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League, posting a team-high four shutouts and 15 wins. The 22-year-old finished with a 15-17-4 record and a 2.70 goals against average.