VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Vancouver Canucks have addressed their need for depth on defense and at centre in free agency by signing two players today.

The centre is LA Kings free agent Brad Richardson, an eight-year veteran who has split his career between the Kings and Avalanche. Richardson’s deal is for two years, $2.3 million.

“I wanted to go to a team that’s good and has a chance to win and Vancouver’s had a chance to win pretty much every year,” says the 28-year-old Belleville, Ontario native who recorded six points in sixteen games last year in Los Angeles and added one assist in 11 playoff games. Richardson is targeted for the Canucks’ third-line centre ice spot.

The blue liner is free agent defenseman Yannick Weber. Weber, a native of Switzerland, was not given a qualifying offer from the Montreal Canadiens. The 25-year-old has a hard shot, is a good skater, and should add some depth on the blue line. His deal is reportedly for one year and $650,000. Weber has represented Switzerland at the World Junior Championships, the World Championships, and the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The Canucks have also signed defencemen Jeremie Blain and Alex Biega. Blain, 21, split the 2012-13 season with the AHL Chicago Wolves and ECHL Idaho Steelheads. Biega, 25, spent the 2012-13 season with the AHL Rochester Americans,

Leaving town is forward Max Lapierre, who has signed a two-year $2.2-million deal with St Louis. Free agent forward Mason Raymond is reportedly close to joining the Calgary Flames.

Here are some of the other big deals on a busy day of NHL free agency:

– Ottawa trades forwards Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and their first-round pick in next year’s draft to Anaheim for four-time 30-goal scorer Bobby Ryan

– Longtime Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson signs one-year deal worth 5.5 million with Detroit

– Detroit signs forward Stephen Weiss, five years $24.5 million

– Toronto signs forward David Clarkson to a deal worth 36.75M over seven years

– New Jersey signs New York Rangers free agent forward Ryan Clowe, five years, $4.8 million

– Forward Mike Ribeiro joins Phoenix Coyotes in four-year deal worth $5.5 million a season

– Columbus add Boston Bruins free agent Nathan Horton in a seven-year deal worth around $37 million