BOSTON – The Boston Bruins have hired Bob Essensa, a veteran of 14 NHL seasons, as their goaltending consultant.

Essensa, 38, played for six NHL teams in his career, most recently the Buffalo Sabres in 2001-02. He posted a 173-176-47 record with a 3.15 goals against average and 18 shutouts in 446 games.

Essensa played four seasons at Michigan State and was drafted by Winnipeg in 1983. He played more than five seasons with the Jets organization, including a career-best 33-win season in 1992-93.

Toronto signs free agent Nieuwendyk

TORONTO – Unrestricted free agent center Joe Nieuwendyk signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, the first major player acquisition by new general manager John Ferguson Jr.

Nieuwendyk, who turns 37 Wednesday, played with the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils last season. It was the third Cup for Nieuwendyk, who made $5 million in 2002-03.

•Unrestricted free agent Craig Johnson, a member of the Los Angeles Kings since the 1995-96 season, agreed to terms of a one-year contract with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

The 31-year-old forward has 73 goals and 89 points in 493 career games – all but 64 with the Kings. He began his career with the St. Louis Blues in 1995.

•The Florida Panthers signed veteran defenseman Lyle Odelein to a one-year contract. The 35-year-old Odelein had seven goals and four assists in 68 games last season with Dallas and Chicago.

He has 46 goals and 189 assists in 947 games over 14 seasons with six teams. He won the Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1993, and was captain of the Blue Jackets in Columbus’ first two seasons.

AP-ES-09-09-03 1113EDT