Days 1 through 3
Note: Newest additions at the bottom
The number one signing of the day: Marian Hossa signs with Chicago. 12 years, 62.8 Million
What Chicago was thinking, I can't say. Maybe they figured Havlat was more frail than an antique vase, and upgrading to Hossa wouldn't hurt. 12 years, though? Mark it down, he plays 7 of them. What's that now, two years in a row that the Blackhawks have come out July 1st and spent too much money signing someone for too long (Brian Campbell last year. I looked it up, 8 years, 7.1 million per year. Yikes.)?
Considering that Hossa will be making an average of 5.2 million per season, it's also interesting to note that Vancouver has more or less guaranteed that the Swedish twins will finish their careers together in Vancouver, signing them for the next 5 years, paying them 6.1 Million per season. More than Hossa. Hmm....
Mattais Ohlund ensured that he will be a staple of trade rumors for the next 7 years, signing in Tampa Bay for just over 26 Million, and from what I hear it's a front-loaded contract.
Another great, long contract that surely won't prove to be a burden for Tampa Bay. Surely...
New York Rangers resident asshole Colton Orr has signed with Toronto (4 Years, 4 Million), and been replaced by the second most famous #87 in the Atlantic Division, Donald Brashear.
Not looking forward to playing the Rangers next season. Sounds like Eric Godard will need to start his boxing training ASAP.
Craig Anderson will finally get a chance as a starter. And since he's playing in Colorado now, he will probably fail. 2 year, 3.6 million.
Ty Conklin looks to be tired of outdoor hockey and one year contracts. He signed a 2 year deal with St. Louis, 1.3 million per season. Maybe he'll get a chance to be a #1.
Steve Montador will be be fighting Buffalos instead of bulls for the next two seasons, and getting paid 3.1 million to do it. Yeah, this joke is pretty recycled by now. Deal with it.
Dwayne Roloson is dragging his almost 39 year old ass to Long Island. He's signed for the next two years (2.5 million per season), and the big question on my mind is who's hip will vaporize first, Dwayne's from age or Ricky D's from suck.
Staying with goalies, Philadelphia MUST have solved theirs by signing Brian Boucher. Couple him with recent signing Ray Emery, and how can ANYONE score? Sarcasm rocks.
I just found out that Scott Neidermayer is actually younger than Dwayne Roloson. Oh, and he signed for another season.
Jaroslav Spacek signs with Montreal. I know I should care, but I just can't get excited after Spacek was the 2nd biggest bust on my Fantasy Hockey team last season (Right behind my 'Franchise' goalie, Marty Turco. Suck.)
Nikolai Kababoullion (I can't spell his name!) signs with the Oilers for four seasons. What is it with Edmonton and over the hill goalies?
Scott Clemmensen will try and succeed where Roberto Luongo has failed, signing with Florida. I think he can do it. But Scott Clemmensen might also become the blog's mascot if he manages to make Florida not suck anymore.
The Flyers inked another goony player to their roster, Ian Laperriere. Maybe it's just me, but I think the Flyers are trying to regain the 'Broad Street Bullies' moniker. I also think someone will get their career ended in the Atlantic this division. Bad times.
Big Hal Gill has signed with Montreal for two seasons ($2.25m/season). Can't help but think this season will end with Montreal entering rebuilding. They signed two free agent defensemen to contract that were too high, and signed forwards Mike Cammaleri (5 season, 6m/season) and Alexei Kovalev (2 seasons, 4.4m/season) to big expensive contracts, too. (16 million between four players today, yikes)
Mike Komisarek apparently fits Brian Burke's system. He's inked at $4.5 million per season for the next five years.
Sami Pahlsson signed with Columbus. So much about that talk of how he was such a great fit in Chicago when they aquired him at the deadline. He might fit well with the Blue Jackets, but only time wil tell. And they'll have 3 seasons worth of time now.
Why do I know the name Steve Begin? Eh whatever, he signed with Boston for 850k/1 year
Mathieu Darche apparently has signed with Montreal too. This just in, Canadians believe in building through free agency. Geeze. And isn't 'Darche' what that guy called Stan in that episode of South Park where everyone goes to Aspen? Stan DARCHE!
I think I need to go cry!! How could you leave Pittsburgh after playing like 4 games since the trade deadline, Mathieu Garon!? Oh well. Time for John Curry to warm the bench. I'm over it.
Now the Rangers picked up Gaborik, too. I'm surprised Minnesota let him go, Not so surprised the Rangers went after him. Clearly, this is a Rangers team that SHOULD be a threat next season. Did I emphasize 'should' enough?
Jason Labarbera goes to Phoenix, presumably to play backup to Ilya Bryzgalov. I really would have expected him to hold out until teams were more desperate for a starting goaltender. Someone like Tampa or Toronto.
The Canadiens signed ANOTHER big name free agent. Brian Gionta will be reunited with former
Disappointedly, Chris Neil resigned with Ottawa. I know they wanted him back, he wanted to be back, but I had hoped Mr Toothless would find a home with a WINNING team, so he could pay for some replacements or something. Oh well.
Chicago signed John Madden. Now just imagine if they could sign Brett Farve. How pissed would the Green Bay fans be? Oh wait. The other John Madden. Never mind. making 2.75 on a one year contract, though.
Martin Havlat signed in Minnesota. Apparently, he wants to play Chicago.
END DAY ONE
DAY TWO
Mark Recchi is continuing his bid for NHL Iron Man, as he has resigned in boston for another season. Does he have gambling debts to pay or something? If I'm Mark Recchi, I probably would rather go out playing well than go out as an old fart (coughChrisChelioscough). Nasty cold going around.
Kronwall signs with Calgary? Yeah, but not that Kronwall. Staffan Kronwall is thatKronwall's younger brother.
Nik Antropov gets his payday. He'll be making just over 4million a season playing for...Atlanta? I don't even have a comment on that.
Toronto resigned Mikhail Grabovski. I wonder if that's Russian for take the money and run or something. Anyway, 2.9mill/season average for 3 years
The Islanders signed Jeremy "Third" Reich. Hmm. I want to make a Nazi joke about this signing, but it seems a little too much. Insert your own.
Rob Scuderi commits career suicide and goes to LA. Seriously? I understand it's about money, but he probably could have done better with a team where he'd be called upon to play defense, not Goalie.
Finally for today, Jordan Leopold signed with the Florida Panthers and will get to be an emotional wreck as he is constantly compared to Jay Bowmeester.
DAY THREE
As all the big name free agents will likely be signed after today, I'm not going to be providing much updating after today, as far as free agency.
The Ducks signed Steve McCarthy, who I suspect they will be expecting to replace the physical presence of Francois Beauchemin. Will this usher in a new McCarthyism that will help the Team USA Mighty Ducks beat Russia in the World Juniors, a la Mighty Ducks 2 (or was it 3)?
Tyler Arnason to New York Rangers. So does Corey Locke, but I've never heard of him, despite the cool last name. It's tough to believe how much cap space the Rangers have all of a sudden.
Vancouver signed the other big-name former Red Wing, inking Mikael Samuelsson for three years. I think he just wants to get picked for the olympics. "Hey Coachski! I'm right hereski!"
Shane Hnidy signes with Minnesota after playing for Boston last year. Good thing this isn't college. Hnidy would be getting death threats from rabid boston fans.
Penguins resign Ruslan Fedotenko...and continue to refuse to sign new players if they don't have to. He signed for just 1.8million(1 year), so it was a relative steal.
That's it for now. If I see any other interesting signings, I'll be back to post some (not so) witty comment about them.
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