NHL Free Agency Begins! July 1, 2009

Dobber Sports

2009-06-30

 

Dany Heatley will reportedly not make a decision before midnight tonight, further hurting the Senators. I have reserved judgment on this until this point, but…show some mercy Dany!

 

Other minor signings – MTL signs Mathieu Darche, Ottawa signs Mike Brodeur for goaltending depth.

 

Here's an interesting one – Martin St. Pierre signs with Ottawa. I've always liked him and felt he does reasonably well in the NHL when given a chance, much like Ryan Shannon.

 

The Bruins have signed Johnny Boychuk to a one-year deal. Speculation is that it is a one-way deal with a low cap hit. Boychuk was a top AHL offensive rearguard last year with 65 points. He could have a Hunwick-type of impact under the right circumstances.

This could be my longest ramblings in history – even over some trade deadlines.

 

TSN is reporting Heatley is meeting with the Oilers brass now.

 

Saku Koivu is about to sign a deal with the Wild. He's a decent signing anywhere, as long as it doesn't approach $4 million…

 

Columbus made an offer to extend Rick Nash, and he wasn't too thrilled with it. Unless it was under $5 million per season, I don't see how he could be upset – it was a starting offer. Not a great attitude to kick things off and casts a shadow on the entire process with him staying. They love him there.

 

Kris Newbury has reportedly signed with the Red Wings. He'll likely be in the minors, though.

 

Martin Havlat has agreed to a deal with the Wild. Otherwise, they'd have to lay off some doctors and training staff after the loss of Gaborik. Nice of Havlat to help keep jobs in Minny! Seriously though, analysis will be up in the morning (that's three I owe you – Havlat, Gabby and Gionta)

 

Phoenix has signed Jason Labarbera to a two-year deal. I hate it when teams seem set in a position and then complicate things with a pointless signing. Bryzgalov is the starter and Montoya is the backup. If Montoya stumbles, then Josh Tordjman will step in. That's simple. Enter Labarbera – that's complicated. He is not going to topple Bryzgalov, who is poised for a nice rebound year. But he will topple Montoya, just when he finally gets his shot.

 

John Madden signs one year, $2.75 million with Chicago – what a fantastic deal for the Hawks. Watch out for them this season. Madden and Kopecky will be a two-way threat, even better than Madden and Pandolfo in their heyday.

 

The Flames have brought in a new bench-warmer and net-misser. That's right, they've signed Freddie Sjostrom.

 

Chris Neil has opted to stay with the Sens, raping them for $8 million over four years. Yeah, I'm tired and my grouchiness is seeping into my work, he actually took less money to stay. That's why I'll leave the analysis for the morning lol.

 

The Habs sure solved their issues of size up front – Brian Gionta has signed for five years, $25 million. That analysis will have to wait until later tonight or tomorrow morning as well.

 

Zanon has signed with the Wild indeed. I apologize for earlier incorrect report.

 

The Gaborik analysis may have to wait until morning. I'm about done here. Exhausted!

 

Marian Gaborik has signed with the Rangers – five years at $7.5 million per season. Huh? Now the Rangers are just getting cocky, riding a wave of great moves. Horrible. That's expensive training for their medical staff. Because, let's be honest, half the time Gaborik is there the trainors and doctors will be working on him.

 

Conflicting reports – Phoenix twittered that they signed Greg Zanon…now Minnesota is twittering the same thing. Not that it matters in the fantasy game.

 

Mathieu Garon signs with Columbus for two years at $1.2 million. This kills Lalande as a dark horse. Garon will play 20 games unless Mason gets hurt.

 

Oilers re-sign Jason Strudwick.

 

The Coyotes have signed Vernon Fiddler.

 

Steve Sullivan re-signs with Nashville Predators for two years, $7.5 million. It all boils down to his back, but judging by his last three months, I would think that 70 games is a fairly safe assumption – and I would still put him at close to a point per game – say 66 points. Since he remains with the same team, I won't break this down any further.

 

Columbus signs Sami Pahlsson for three years.

 

Boston signs Steve Begin for one year.

 

Boston re-signs Byron Bitz.

 

Leafs have signed Mike Komisarek – imagine Komisarek, Schenn and Exelby back there. Scary!

 

Colin Stuart also goes to Toronto in that deal with Atlanta.

 

Phoenix has signed Greg Zanon for three years.

 

Montreal has apparently signed Michael Cammalleri. Finally, a nice move by the Habs! Still waiting on Kovalev confirmation.

 

Kubina traded to Atlanta for Garnett Exelby plus. Leafs save $2 million in cap space and get grittier. More cap room for the Leafs!

 

The Hurricanes have re-signed depth forwards Michael Ryan and Patrick Dwyer

 

Colorado has signed David Koci to a contract.

 

San Jose has re-signed Kent Huskin for two years, $3.4 million total.

 

Rangers are the favorites to sign Chris Neil.

 

The Penguins have signed Mike Rupp to a two-year deal at $1.6 million total.

 

The Habs have signed Hal Gill to a two-year deal at $4.5 million total.

 

The Flyers have signed Ian Laperriere to a three-year contract. He and Danny Carcillo will wreak havoc – I don't think it will hurt Carcillo's PIM's too much. I do think Carcillo will hurt Laperriere's a little.

 

Panthers sign UFA defenseman Ville Koistinen.

 

If you want to know what to expect from Clemmensen next season in Florida, just look at Craig Anderson's numbers from last year.

 

Scott Clemmensen – a 3 yr. deal worth $1.2 per season from the Panthers.

 

Cole's impact – he signed with the team that gave him the most success, but he really hasn't been the same player since his next injury. Instead of a potential 70-point guy, what you have here is a 50-point player with a lot of heart. I'd be shocked if he made it to 51 points this year.

 

Calgary has re-signed defenseman Adam Pardy.

 

Erik Cole – two years with Carolina at $5.8 million

 

Latest from TSN – The Bulin Wall has signed with Edmonton! Wow – analysis is up.

 

Cole will soon re-sign with the Hurricanes – very close to done. Two years.

 

Montreal has signed Jaroslav Spacek to a three-year deal worth $11.5 million. Analysis is up.

 

Flyers have signed Boucher to a two-year deal; He'll back up Emery, which basically anoints Emery as the undisputed starter. Great news for Emery fans.

 

More buzz: Kessel for Kaberle has been revived; Blues interested in Schneider;

 

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Nashville has re-signed Joel Ward. Two years at $1.5 million per season.

 

Ducks have signed Scott Niedermayer for one year at $6 million.

 

Vancouver has signed Aaron Rome to a contract.

 

The Dispatch has learned that Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson has extended an offer to free agent goaltender Mathieu Garon.

 

The Rangers have signed tough guy Donald Brashear. Two years at $1.4 million per.

 

Caps have signed Knuble to a two-year deal worth $2.8 per season. Analysis is up.

 

Some buzz: Knuble will sign with an Eastern Conference team shortly; Gionta news is on the way; Edmonton is sniffing around Minny for Josh Harding…

 

The Sabres have signed  Steve Montador to a two-year contract.

 

Another great signing for the Hawks – underrated forward Tomas Kopecky has signed for two years at $1.2 million per season. He'll be a great third liner who can chip in some points. Chicago wins the day so far.

 

Roloson has signed with the Isles for two years. What a great signing – they should have done this two years ago, but instead floundered with DiPietro's injuries. Now they're covered off with the perfect back up who can sub in as a starter. That about says it all, I won't break this one down.

 

In 2010-11, Chicago has $34 million tied up in eight players – that does not include Kane ($7 million likely), Toews ($7 million likely) nor Keith ($7 million likely). Something will give here within the next 365 days.

 

Hossa will be 42 years old when his contract expires.

 

Ty Conklin Signs 2 yr. deal with Blues. $1.3 million average. Details are up.

 

Matt Walker has signed for four years with TB – this really hurts Matt Lashoff's chances. He better play his head off in camp.

 

Hossa to Chicago is apparently done. Wow – details are up.

 

Craig Anderson is rumored to have signed with Colorado.

 

David Booth has re-signed with Florida for SIX years.

 

TSN is reporting of a rumor that would see Pavel Kubina traded to Atlanta.

 

Interesting – Boston now in the mix for Hossa. If so, Kessel is definitely gone.

 

Erik Cole is rumored to be close to re-signing with Carolina.

 

Andy Greene has reportedly re-signed with the Devils.

 

Kovalev deal not officially done yet. Reportedly two years, $8.8 million.

 

Leafs have signed Colton Orr to a four-year deal worth one million per. I won't break that one down.

 

Site was down for over 90 minutes – a power surge wiped out my host. I apologize. Apparently up for good now.

 

The Habs have re-signed Kovalev. Details to come.

 

Mattias Ohlund signing analysis is up. Radek Dvorak has signed with Florida, analysis to come.

 

While you surf the 'net today, be sure to get primed for free agency by listening to Dobber Nation at the same time. LISTEN HERE .

 

The twins will remain in Vancouver. TSN is reporting that they signed five year deals worth $6.1 million per season.

 

If you listen to the buzz – the Wild will land Saku Koivu and Martin Havlat. Why Havlat? Their doctors will miss Gaborik, so Havlat will make them feel better.

 

The Flames have qualified Dustin Boyd and Kris Chucko. Boyd is my dark horse pick to land a plum spot in the top six. The team did not qualify Adam Cracknell or Aki Seitsonen.

 

The Kings have qualified Purcell, Piskula, Parse, Murray, Johnson and Bagnall. They did not qualify Danny Taylor or Vladimir Dravecky.

 

Interesting – R.J. Umberger was not among the 19 forwards that USA hockey invited to the Olympic camp. Brian Burke, the GM of Team USA, was Vancouver's GM when Umberger pulled his holdout stunts. Probably not a coincidence.

 

Kevin Lalande, a goalie who has attended four development camps for Calgary and now this current one with Columbus, told Puck Rakers: "I think I'm developed".
 

 

Anaheim has signed Erik Christensen to a one-year deal.

 

Heatley to Edmonton not dead. Read the latest from Bob McKenzie here .

 

Dany Heatley has been traded to Edmonton. Details and analysis of the deal is up, although Heatley still needs to waive his no-trade clause. My hunch is he will. 

 

The Avs have qualified David Jones and Kyle Cumiskey. 

 

Dobber's free agency (both UFA and RFA) rundown from the end of May/start of June:

 

ATL/BUF/CBJ/COL/DAL/EDM/FLA

 

LA/MIN/MTL/NSH/NJ/NYI/NYR/OTT

 

PHI/PHO/SJ/STL/TB/TOR/CGY

 

ANA/BOS/CHI/DET/PIT/VAN/WAS

 

Lots of updates later yesterday evening (after 6pm) on which RFA's where qualified and which were not (thus making them UFA's). Just click "next" below to check them out.

 

 

I'm also on top of this in TWITTER. Follow DobberHockey here .

 

 

New to DobberHockey? You'll like DobberBaseball as well!

 

Happy Canada Day!

 

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