by The Toronto Star

"I could not sign with another team," he said. "I retire a Calgary Flame."

The Flames released him from a tryout last week. Fleury was attempting to return to the NHL after a six-year absence and managed to record four points in four pre-season games with Calgary.

But with 14 forwards on one-way contracts, securing a spot as one of the team's top-six forwards proved too much.

"For me to go slug it out in Europe and grind it out another year is not in the cards," Fleury said. "When I left the parking lot the other day, I knew it was over and I was okay with that. Whether I could have played a full season, we'll never know that. That's up for debate. I got to leave the game on my terms."

STRALMAN'S NEW JACKET: The Columbus Blue Jackets traded a 2010 third-round draft pick to the Calgary Flames for defenceman Anton Stralman on Monday.

The 23-year-old Swede played 88 games the past two seasons for the Leafs before being traded with forward Colin Stuart to Calgary in July for centre Wayne Primeau.

Stralman has four goals and 18 assists in his two seasons in the NHL.

SCHENN SENT DOWN: Brayden Schenn is going to spend another season in the WHL.

The Los Angeles Kings returned the 18-year-old forward to the Brandon Wheat Kings on Monday. The fifth overall pick turned some heads at training camp and nearly earned an NHL spot. Last season in Brandon, he scored 32 goals and 88 points. He is the younger brother of Leafs defenceman Luke Schenn.

HOLLWEG FINDS HOME: The Phoenix Coyotes signed left winger Ryan Hollweg to a one-year contract on Monday. Hollweg was in camp with the Coyotes on a professional tryout. He had two assists and 38 penalty minutes in 25 games with Toronto last season.

DIMINISHED LEGACE: The Thrashers have released two players, including goalie Manny Legace.

The 36-year-old appeared in one pre-season game for Atlanta, stopping 25 of 27 shots against Carolina. He was cut Monday along with forward Dan Fritsche.

GILLIES SENT DOWN: Minnesota Wild winger Colton Gillies has been sent to the minors. Gillies was assigned to Minnesota's AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros.

Canucks CUTS: Goaltender Cory Schneider and former first-round draft pick Michael Grabner were among the players the Vancouver Canucks sent to the AHL's Manitoba Moose on Monday.

Schneider, 23, the AHL goaltender of the year last season with the Moose, had battled with veteran Andrew Raycroft for the backup job behind Roberto Luongo.

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