NHL teams

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.

Terms were not disclosed, but the Sports Network of Canada reported that Nieuwendyk agreed to a one-year contract believed to be worth considerably less than the $5 million he was paid by the New Jersey Devils last season.

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.

Rick Curran, Nieuwendyk's agent, said the Maple Leafs phoned him with a proposal late Tuesday which he passed along to Nieuwendyk.

"Joe quickly looked at it and accepted it," Curran said.

Nieuwendyk has played in 1,113 NHL games with the Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars and Devils, scoring 511 goals with 501 assists. In 149 career playoff games he has 60 goals and 50 assists.