Loading ...Today marked day one of the free agency period and I took some notes here and there with some thoughts from the first day of the action as the day went along.
Jordan Staal – CAR – 10 yr 60 million: Well, it really didn’t surprise me that the Pittsburgh offer that was declined by Staal, laid the groundwork for a future Carolina deal. Shows just how much he really wanted to play with his brother.
Michael Leighton – PHI 1 yr 900k: Maybe I wont understand because I am not a Flyer fan but unless Bryz needs to be pushed by his backup, ala Marc-Andre seems to need, I don’t see how Leighton as backup is as bad as Flyers fans make it seem.
Jonas Gustavsson – DET 2 yr 3 mil: Hey if there is a good chance for him to learn and develop his game as a backup, Detroit is definitely a team for that.
David Moss – PHX 2 year 4.2 mil: Solid forward that has 20 goal capability if his injury issues would ever get under control. A healthy season can help lessen the sting of Whitney’s departure.
Jeff Zatkoff – PIT 2 yrs 1.05 mil: Could potentially be a future backup for the Pens in 3 yrs time when Vokoun is finished with his deal as the Pens appear to be progressively moving on from Theissen. Or he might just be a regular AHL depth guy.
Colby Armstrong – MTL 1 yr 1 mil: Actually makes some sense, play under Therien again and see if he can rekindle his game to get back on some other team’s radar for next season. Have to think this is a make or break year for Colby’s NHL career.
Ray Whitney – DAL 2 yrs 9 mil: Well, even if you get value or diminishing returns at Whitney’s age, when you’re offered that much, cant blame him for taking it one bit.
Brad Boyes – NYI 1 yr 1 mil: Quite impressed at the Isles to pull this off, low risk and potentially strong reward if he can mesh with the likes of Tavares, Mouson, etc. Maybe not the 40 goal guy he was but I think there is more to him than his time in Buffalo showed. May also be a sobering sign for how dead the market was for Boyes to agree to this so early in the day.
Tanner Glass – PIT 2 yr 2.2 mil: I liked Arron Asham as a Penguin but I think I will like Glass even more. Speedy forechecker who hits big and often, would provide great grit in the Pens’ bottom 6.
Filip Kuba – FLA 2 yr 8 mil: Mildly unsure about this one, Tallon must be hoping for 2011 Kuba (+26) instead of 2010 Kuba (-26) instead of their own UFA Jason Garrison. Exchange your own risk for a UFA risk.
Brandon Prust – MTL 4 yr 10 mil: The breakdown makes it a more manageable cap hit but I kind of subscribe to the Ray Shero thought and really am unsure about giving a role players a 4 year contract. Felt similar with the Talbot deal last year. These are “Godfather Deals” for these guys. Cant blame them for signing them.
P.A. Parenteau – COL 4 yr 16 mil: Even with the skepticism out there about if it would be wise to do so, Parenteau gets his expected 4 mil per year from a team that had plenty to spend. Could be a good fit with the young offensive talent in Colorado, albeit still an understandable risk.
Adrian Aucoin – CBJ 1yr 2 mil: This is one of my favorite signings so far in free agency. Has done a lot of mentoring young defensemen in recent years and with the likes of Moore and Murray likely on the big club this year, this bodes well for the CBJ.
Jason Garrison – VAN 6 yr 27.6 mil: Man, I knew Garrison was going to get a sizeable raise but it’s actually the 6 years that is the most surprising to me. That is a long commitment for someone with one breakout year in a contract year IMO. The money doesn’t even bother me, especially since Bob McKenzie mentioned that he left money on the table to go to Vancouver.