The deal was rumored for weeks, but McCabe — who has a no-trade clause — would not approve the trade until he received a $2 million bonus he was due from the Maple Leafs on Monday.

The other new defensemen for the Panthers are Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton, both acquired from Phoenix in the draft-day deal that sent Olli Jokinen to the Coyotes. All three newcomers are expected to play in a top-six rotation that also figures to include Jay Bouwmeester, Bryan Allen and Noah Welch or Karlis Skrastins.

"This really helps our top four," Martin said. "When you look at what we've done this year, we got Bryan McCabe, Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton to go with Jay Bouwmeester and the rest of our group. I think we improved our defensive corps."

Martin added: "We've got better puck movers. Last year we spent too much time in our own end."

"Ultimately it came down to the fact that I still enjoy playing and competing," the 39-year-old captain said in a statement released by the team. "I'm comfortable with my conditioning and my overall health. I'm ready for the start of camp and am looking forward to the upcoming season."

Because the Democratic National Convention is taking place this week at the Pepsi Center, the Avs' home, the team said it wouldn't hold a news conference until next week.

Sakic's teammates had started to fear he wasn't coming back, and the announcement was a relief.

"Everybody was starting to worry what Joe was going to do," forward Ian Laperriere said. "It's great news for more than one reason.

Barnes will take Ulf Dahlen's place in the mix, but he will definitely have a less prominent role -- which might, in a strange way, be a good thing for the Stars. Dahlen (who this season will be the head coach for Frolunda in Sweden) very much wanted to play a big role on the Stars, and would often leave the press box during a game to come down to the bench in the third period. That probably put too many voices on the bench for the players. Barnes will stay in the press box and learn the role of assistant.

He is expected to go to Traverse City for the prospects tournament Sept. 13-17 and hang out with the front office and the scouts and learn how to "see a game'' from the stands. That's tougher than it sounds for a player, because it takes some getting used to when you've been on the ice your entire career.

Barnes says he is clear of conussion symptoms that ended his season, but that he really hasn't pushed himself to get his heart rate where it needed to be for him to play again. He said he will probably push harder during the season just to see if the symptoms come back. But right now, he's feeling good and ready to take the next step.

An offensive-minded defenseman known for his work on the power play, Berard, now 31, missed a full season because he was inadvertently hit in the right eye by the stick of Ottawa's Marian Hossa in 2000. Berard was with Toronto that season.

About 11/2 years and seven eye operations later, he returned a $6.5 million insurance settlement and returned to the NHL.

"Training camps are nothing new for me," said Berard, who has played for six NHL teams. "I like to come in and compete at a high level. I want to show them that I can play and, hopefully, make the team and be able to contribute and help out in any way I can."

This summer, the organization is basking in the glow of a season that included a trip to the Eastern Conference finals after posting 42 wins and 95 points during the regular season. Thursday, Stevens, 42, was rewarded with a 2-year contract extension that runs to the end of the 2010-11 season, according to general manager Paul Holmgren.

"I'm very excited that I can continue with the organization and help the team keep moving in the direction we're going," said Stevens, who was promoted from assistant coach to head coach on Oct. 22, 2006, after Ken Hitchcock was fired. "It's exciting to be a part of the team that is building towards the ultimate goal."

The team did not disclose financial terms.

"I needed some extra time this year," Sakic told Denver's "FM Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan". "It's been a very, very difficult decision to make. I'm hoping to have something here in the next couple of weeks, make my final decision and go forward with it."

Sakic said he's been staying in contact with Colorado's general manager Francois Giguere and new head coach Tony Granato.

"When I talked to Francois in June, we both understood that the team was going to go forward, regardless of what my decision was going to be, and that enabled me to take as much time as I could," Sakic said. "Right now, I know training camp's approaching rapidly. Summer's gone by pretty fast. I'm going to make my decision here pretty shortly."

Sakic missed 38 games in 2007-08 due to hernia surgery, but still recorded 40 points in 44 games.