Regarding the note below on Markstrom, I just confirmed here that the first year of his deal is a two-way agreement. So if the Panthers sign a short-term goalie, Markstrom could begin the year in the AHL…

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My favorite free agent skaters who yet remain:

1. Mikhail Grabovski

2. Damien Brunner

3. Jaromir Jagr

4. Peter Mueller

5. Mason Raymond

6. Nathan Gerbe

7. Paul Ranger

8. Brad Boyes

9. Vinny Prospal

This is a fantasy hockey list and these are the only players who interest me. Teemu Selanne will have a great first month, but will taper off badly (I’m assuming he signs for one more year, though I think he shouldn’t). Dustin Penner is done and done. Ditto for Milan Hejduk, Guillaume Latendresse, Simon Gagne, Ryan Whitney and Brenden Morrow. And even the nine names I listed have minimal appeal to me after No.2.

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Eric Belanger, whom the Oilers bought out, has signed to play in the KHL.

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Josh Bailey has signed a five-year extension with the Isles worth $16.5 million. That seems steep, but the Isles are paying for potential – yet not too much. The term is what shocks, so it reinforces the idea that the Isles will do what they can to ensure that Bailey succeeds. They don’t want four years of an albatross contract hanging over their heads. His points-per-game average of 0.50 last season was his highest yet. His problem has been that the production tends to arrive in February and March. If he can get off to better starts he could be a 60-point guy. Until then, he’s probably improved enough to reach 40 points. To be honest, the term of the contract makes him a tad more appealing to me in fantasy hockey. Coaching and contracts play very key roles in the production of a young player.

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Blake Geoffrion officially retired. He strongly hinted several months ago that it was coming, and obviously hoped that something would change for the better. Geoffrion, if you recall, suffered a brutal concussion in AHL action.

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The Panthers have signed Aleksander Barkov to an ELC. We all knew it was coming, and yes he will make the team this year. And yes, I have Florida complete in my Fantasy Guide – Barkov will get…well, a shocking amount of points, let’s just say. In fact, if the Panthers don’t sign Mikhail Grabovski and they don’t make a trade, Barkov will be the No.1 center this year. He could probably do it, too.

Carolina has signed their top pick Elias Lindholm to an ELC and they believe that he will at least start the season with the team. “I would be shocked if he doesn’t” says GM Jim Rutherford. If he does, don’t look for big points this year.

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The Wings have signed Brendan Smith to a two-year deal. It’s for $2.525 million and it avoids salary arbitration. The line I have for Smith in the Fantasy Guide is 70-5-23-28, 74. Yep – get pumped.

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Ron Hextall has left his job as President and Assistant GM of the Kings to become Director of Player Operations and Assistant GM of the Flyers. Pretty much a sideways move, but it indicates to me that he will be the next GM of the Flyers. Holmgren is 58, so maybe he’s thinking of retiring at 60.

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Pittsburgh goaltender Brad Thiessen has signed to play next season with HIFK Helskinki, Finland.

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The Lightning have re-signed JT Brown to a one-year, two-way contract. He is further back in line when it comes to making the jump this year. Tyler Johnson and Alex Killorn will go first, then Brett Connolly. Brown might be after him.

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Another two-way contract signed – David Savard of the Blue Jackets. This pretty much ensures that we won’t see much of him in the NHL this season. I had him for 26 games in the Fantasy Guide anyway.

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The Panthers have signed their stud prospect goalie Jacob Markstrom to a two-year deal. No details have been released, but I’m guessing the deal is one-way for both years and that Markstrom will be the starter in 2013-14 through good times and bad.

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Re-launching DobberFootball tonight!

Watch for that. Dave Cushard has added 10 new writers, content is flowing again, the mobile optimized version of the site will be active – and the Fantasy Guide is released for DobberFootball on July 23. If you buy it before July 23rd you can get it for $7.99 instead of $9.99. You may have noticed how awesome DobberBaseball has been since January thanks a new staff and new management – well the same thing has been done to football and that starts now. Well, tonight. Not now, tonight. Tuesday. Night.

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Thanks for the YouTube clips last week gang, I have compiled enough for this week and next! Keep them coming.

Some Jordan Eberle snipes from the past season:

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Joe Corvo signed with the Senators last week. Here is a memory of him for Ottawa fans: