“LIKE” Dobber Sports on Facebook, and win yourself a pair of Oakley’s! On July 6 I’ll draw a name from one of the likes, and send them a pair. We are also giving away two free copies of Tales from the Boston Bruins Locker Room, by Kerry Keene.

Late-breaking news – the Globe and Mail is reporting that Paul Kariya has announced his retirement. Kariya was a Top 10 fantasy own in points-only leagues for many years – in years two through six of his career he had 425 points in 329 games.

Dwayne Roloson has signed with the Lightning for one year at $3 million, per Bruce Garrioch.

It says here that Jagr has agreed to a one-year deal with the Penguins for $1.4 million.

Montreal has traded the rights of James Wisniewski to Columbus, per Aaron Portzline.

Todd Marchant has retired. One great year – a contract year – suckered a lot of fantasy owners (myself included)…

Don’t forget to join us Friday at 11:45am for a LIVE CHAT with myself, Jeff Angus, and many other DobberHockey writers as we discuss the impact of the free agent frenzy!

Happy Birthday to Mr. Cage Match – Steve Laidlaw!

Chad LaRose has re-signed with the Hurricanes – $1.5 this year and $1.9 next, per Big Bad Bobby Mac. Also, Nate Gerbe has signed with the Sabres, details on that one are not out yet, but it’s a multi-year deal.

My THN article on the draftees, and how they look on new teams…One comment to a common comment I’m seeing over there – the two Russians I note were indeed in the CHL last season. But that’s not my point – Radulov was in the CHL also. Filatov has also been over to North America. And Kuznetsov was in Washington’s camp last year. I’m talking about permanency when I say “crosses the pond”. Thankfully, most of you got that.

It's looking to me as though the Penguins will retain Tyler Kennedy (eventually), though they did not qualify him. That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, as usually when a player isn't qualified but the team still wants to keep him, it is because they want to keep him for less money. But Kennedy is coming off of a career season. I also think the team will sign Jaromir Jagr, who will decide on an offer of a one-year contract today. They signed Pascal Dupuis yesterday, which is just a case of not letting go. Dupuis players are a dime a dozen. So before free agency even starts, the Pens could have the following line combos already set up:

Kunitz-Crosby-Neal

Malkin-Staal-Jagr

Tangradi-Jeffrey-Kennedy

Adams-Letestu-Cooke

Assuming they come to terms with Kennedy, Jeffrey and Jagr with a shade of $6 million in cap space. That's a great team, but the youngsters Tangradi and Jeffrey are already out of the top-six mix before Game 1 even starts. The Pens could have saved a half-million or more by letting Dupuis go and giving a kid a chance. They can always grab two or three Dupuis-types at the deadline if they need to. Again – not exactly a rare player in this league.

The Hurricanes have re-signed Joni Pitkanen, which hurts the likes of Justin Faulk and Bobby Sanguinetti making the team. But I think Jamie McBain will still get onto the top PP unit, as Joe Corvo slips out of the mix.

Carolina, by the way, is in awesome shape cap-wise. They have two players signed long-term: Eric Staal and Cam Ward. After that, it's Pitkanen (signed for three years) and then after that it's Jeff Skinner (signed for two).  Lots of options that way.

Hall of Fame players this year are far better than last year, when Dino Chickaroni was inducted (sorry, I always call him that, I thought it was funny as a kid). Doug Gilmour, Mark Howe, Joe Nieuwendyk and Ed Belfour get in. All very deserving. But I would put my Hall candidates in the following order:

1. Alexander Mogilny
2. Gilmour
3. Belfour
4. Pavel Bure
5. Nieuwendyk
6. Howe

There were two or three years there where Mogilny was Top 3 in the league. Same with Bure. But because of what Mogilny went through to break down the Russia/North America barrier into the NHL – that alone gets him in.

I'm not sure why the Islanders acquired Ehrhoff. They have Streit coming back, Hamonic is now a key, and Calvin de Haan is close to NHL-ready. They have a plan, they should stick to that plan. In fact, they should have been the ones who acquired Regehr – that would be a better fit. But, if they sign him it's a definite upgrade for the coming year. In fact, Streit and Ehrhoff as a PP tandem would be enough to help Tavares over the 80-point hump easily.

Matt D'Agostini could not have done anything better for the Blues last year. Look for him to pull a Clarke MacArthur this year. If he's smart, he'll sign with a team that will use him on the second line. Like MacArthur did.

Analyzing the salary situation in Philadelphia. Of note – Powe's potential $1 million is gone, Nodl took a $5000 pay cut, Daniel Carcillo wasn't qualified…oh, and the Flyers seem primed to take a run at Steven Stamkos. My take? The Flyers still can't afford Stamkos, and Stamkos is going nowhere.

The Preds have elected not to re-sign Steve Sullivan, who becomes a UFA. I think he'll find a home somewhere on the second line, but I don't see him getting in 70 games. His body is worn down.

The Wild have placed Cam Barker on waivers with the likely intent of buying him out.

Tomas Kopecky agrees to a four-year deal with the Panthers. Lucky guy – great climate, great money ($3 million per year) and he's marginally better than Dupuis. Actually, Kopecky has shown more upside when playing with a skilled linemate.

Chris Drury was bought out, per the New York Post.

There is a rumor that the Leafs are looking to trade for the rights to Max Talbot. They already have a Talbot. His name is Colby. And they don't need to trade for his rights, I'm sure he would listen to their offer on July 1. Talbot would be a great 50-point checker and a clutch playoff guy, but injuries have stifled his development offensively and I doubt he could even get 35. Band-Aid Boy.

Iginla vs. Benn. And feel free to send me old or classic youtube clips – I'll need some to get me through the next 75 or so ramblings. So far I've had, um, zero sent to me!