tOfficial NHL Free Agency Thread

[Death Roe]

Originally Posted by medazzaland00

In related news...the PENGUINS having already signed Crosby, Malkin, and Fleury, have come to terms with Fedetenko and Guerin. And the dynasty begins...

No dynasty. I'll bet you any amount of money in the world.

That team took seven games to beat a nearly half-healthy Red Wings team. It was heart, not skill.

[See Their Team Is WEAAAK!]

Originally Posted by medazzaland00

In related news...the PENGUINS having already signed Crosby, Malkin, and Fleury, have come to terms with Fedetenko and Guerin. And the dynasty begins...

[Death Roe]

Originally Posted by See Their Team Is WEAAAK!

I like how he capitalizes PENGUINS, like we all need to pay attention and listen when he speaks.

He's like the GoBlueFromOhio version of a Penguins fan.

[Nals]

Originally Posted by medazzaland00

In related news...the PENGUINS having already signed Crosby, Malkin, and Fleury, have come to terms with Fedetenko and Guerin. And the dynasty begins...

I love the lead-in, Crosby was signed 2 years ago, and Malkin & Fleury signed their extensions a year ago.
Guerin is 38, and signed a 1 year contract. He'll definitely be a contribution to this "dynasty".
Fedotenko also took a 1 year deal for a paycut. Idk if anyone was offering him longer, better deals, but either he's stupid or no one really wanted him.

[PRStoetzer]

Looks like Ottawa has signed Alexei Kovalev and Toronto has signed Francois Beauchemin.

[WallyST19]

Originally Posted by PRStoetzer

Looks like Ottawa has signed Alexei Kovalev and Toronto has signed Francois Beauchemin.

Ottawa really has been screwed by Heatly. They couldn't get in on the top flight guys that went 7/1 while they waited on his trade. Now they are stuck signing the Hab's sloppy seconds.

[PRStoetzer]

Originally Posted by WallyST19

Ottawa really has been screwed by Heatly. They couldn't get in on the top flight guys that went 7/1 while they waited on his trade. Now they are stuck signing the Hab's sloppy seconds.

And they had to pay him $4 million. Well, this is a good reason to give out no trade clauses extremely sparingly.

[WallyST19]

Originally Posted by PRStoetzer

And they had to pay him $4 million. Well, this is a good reason to give out no trade clauses extremely sparingly.

I doubt Danny was even kind enough to use lube before rejecting the trade a second time and forcing the Sens to pay the bonus.

[PRStoetzer]

Originally Posted by WallyST19

I doubt Danny was even kind enough to use lube before rejecting the trade a second time and forcing the Sens to pay the bonus.

He must really have a problem with someone in Ottawa.

[Western Reserve Spartan]

I've always felt that Danny Heatly was a real class guy.

[PRStoetzer]

Originally Posted by Western Reserve Spartan

I've always felt that Danny Heatly was a real class guy.

This is why the situation is very surprising. There must really be a problem in Ottawa.

[PRStoetzer]

Kovalev got 2 years, $10 million. Beuchemin got 3 years, $10 million.

[WallyST19]

Originally Posted by PRStoetzer

He must really have a problem with someone in Ottawa.

Originally Posted by Western Reserve Spartan

I've always felt that Danny Heatly was a real class guy.

He sure knows how to make an [attempted] exit from a town. Although, this Ottawa divorce is standard sports business compared to the drama of his ATL exit.

It should be interesting a few years down the road when he gets sick of his new team. A meeting with his agent would probably be along the lines of "Hey, I know I've got one year left at a high cap rate, but what do I need to do to get traded to a contender?" "Well, Danny, this time you will likely have to kidnap the owner's daughter at spear point and hole up in a meth lab for a week."

Don't be surprised when it happens.

[PRStoetzer]

Originally Posted by WallyST19

He sure knows how to make an [attempted] exit from a town. Although, this Ottawa divorce is standard sports business compared to the drama of his ATL exit.

It should be interesting a few years down the road when he gets sick of his new team. A meeting with his agent would probably be along the lines of "Hey, I know I've got one year left at a high cap rate, but what do I need to do to get traded to a contender?" "Well, Danny, this time you will likely have to kidnap the owner's daughter at spear point and hole up in a meth lab for a week."

Don't be surprised when it happens.

I think we all can understand his reasons for leaving Atlanta.

[jreid19]

Originally Posted by Western Reserve Spartan

I've always felt that Danny Heatly was a real class guy.

The time I met him he was pure class, even when some doosh wanted him to sign a picture of his Ferrari split in two.

[Redwingenator]

Big names could be squeezed out - FOX Sports on MSN

The NHL's unrestricted free-agent market has been open for several days and while most of the top talent was snapped up within the first two days, plenty of quality talent still remains.

Among the notable are Saku Koivu, Sergei Zubov, Alex Tanguay, Francois Beauchemin, Martin Biron, Derek Morris, Alex Kovalev, Paul Mara and Mike Comrie.
The Fourth of July weekend in the U.S. likely played a role in slowing the free agent frenzy, but the main reason could be the limited number of teams with available salary cap space.

With the salary cap for 2009-10 rising only $100,000 from last season's ceiling of $56.7 million, there aren't as many teams willing to spend compared to previous summers.

Currently 19 of the league's 30 teams have $9.5 million or less in available cap space. Twelve of those clubs have three positions or more on their respective rosters to fill. Assuming most of these clubs prefer to give themselves a cap cushion of around $1.5 million for next season, that won't leave them much money to throw around in the UFA market.

Of the remaining teams with $10 million or more in available cap space, the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, New York Islanders and Phoenix Coyotes are expected to keep their respective payrolls for next season between the mandated salary cap floor of $40.8 million and $50 million.

That could force most of the top available free agents into accepting less than their perceived market value.

For example, it's been reported Beauchemin and Biron were seeking salaries worth $4.5 million and $5 million respectively but given how the market slowed in recent days, it's possible they could be forced to accept considerably less.
That limited cap space could force some of these clubs to forsake the free-agent market and look instead at promoting affordable young players from their farm teams into their rosters.

It could impact the eventual contract signings of the aforementioned players, but it's a good bet all will eventually sign with new NHL teams.

Where it will have the most impact will be upon aging veterans and marginal players.

Brendan Shanahan, Todd Bertuzzi, Mathieu Schneider and Mats Sundin were in recent years among the most prized free agents but this summer, they could be faced with a stark choice: accept considerably less money with teams they normally wouldn't consider signing with or risk going unsigned when next season begins.

Shanahan, Schneider and Sundin could be forced to sit and wait through next season for a contract offer which might never come, which would be a sad ending to their long careers.

They're not the only ones facing that possibility. Chris Chelios and Jeremy Roenick hope to return next season but could have retirement forced upon them if they cannot find any takers for their services.

Players who serve as fourth line forwards, sixth and seventh defensemen and backup goaltenders could also have trouble finding new clubs to sign with this summer. They far outnumber available star talent and will find it difficult to attract interest as the available dollars dry up.

[WallyST19]

Maple Laughs have signed Jonas Gustavsson to a one-year deal worth $810,000, including a signing bonus of $90,000, to back up current starter Vesa Toskala.
Gustavsson makes decision, expected to sign with Maple Leafs

Should be interesting to see if this guy can go in the bigs. I imagine a good season will see him move elsewhere.

[PRStoetzer]

Originally Posted by WallyST19

Maple Laughs have signed Jonas Gustavsson to a one-year deal worth $810,000, including a signing bonus of $90,000, to back up current starter Vesa Toskala.
Gustavsson makes decision, expected to sign with Maple Leafs

Should be interesting to see if this guy can go in the bigs. I imagine a good season will see him move elsewhere.

As with any undrafted free agent at his age, the entry-level contract rules specify that he can only sign a one-year deal at that maximum amount. He will be an RFA following the season.

Same as with the Ville Leino situation last year.

[WallyST19]

Originally Posted by PRStoetzer

As with any undrafted free agent at his age, the entry-level contract rules specify that he can only sign a one-year deal at that maximum amount. He will be an RFA following the season.

Same as with the Ville Leino situation last year.

Yeah, I'm just thinking that the Leafs might not have enough cap space to keep both high profile goalies with him as a RFA and a Toskala as an UFA. One will definitely have to go, or they will risk the same situation as Chicago this year. Burke does have enough sack to make a large qualifying offer to the Monster, so if he can get more money elsewhere, at least the Leafs will be compensated.

Regardless, it will be an interesting summer for Toronto next year, as I believe they will have 8 UFA's and 4 RFA's from their main roster.

[WallyST19]

Todd Marchant resigned with the Ducks for two years.
Ducks sign Marchant to two-year contract

[WallyST19]

Cam Barker just got a three year, $9.25 million extension from the Hawks.
Blackhawks sign Barker to 3-year, $9.25 million extension

[tjmania]

Red Wings agree to terms with three players
Tuesday, 07.07.2009 / 2:43 PM / 2009 NHL Offseason News
NHL.com

The Detroit Red Wings said Tuesday they have agreed to terms with three players. Center Kris Newbury and right wing Jeremy Williams were signed to one-year, two-way contracts, while defenseman Travis Ehrhardt received a three-year entry-level deal. In accordance with team policy, additional terms of each contract were not disclosed.

Newbury, 27, spent the past six seasons in the Toronto Maple Leafs' organization. Originally a fifth-round selection (No. 139) of the San Jose Sharks in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, he has appeared in 44 NHL games during his career (all with Toronto) registering six points (3-3-6) and 60 PIM. The Brampton, Ontario, native played in 33 games with the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies in 2008-09, finishing with 29 points (6-23-29) and 72 PIM.

Williams, 25, was originally a seventh-round pick (No. 220) by the Leafs in the 2003 Entry Draft. He has appeared in 31 NHL games for Toronto over five seasons, posting 11 points (9-2-11) and 6 PIM. The Regina, Saskatchewan, native played in 11 games for the Maple Leafs in 2008-09, scoring 5 goals and adding 2 assists for 7 points. He also appeared in 46 games for the AHL Toronto Marlies last season, finishing with 27 goals and 40 points.

Ehrhardt, 20, played in 68 games for the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League in 2008-09. He finished with 37 points (9-28-37) and 109 PIM while serving as captain and winning the team MVP award. Ehrhardt also was scoreless in three games for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League after signing an amateur tryout contract as a free agent.

[WallyST19]

Originally Posted by tjmania

Red Wings agree to terms with three players
Tuesday, 07.07.2009 / 2:43 PM / 2009 NHL Offseason News
NHL.com

The Detroit Red Wings said Tuesday they have agreed to terms with three players. Center Kris Newbury and right wing Jeremy Williams were signed to one-year, two-way contracts, while defenseman Travis Ehrhardt received a three-year entry-level deal. In accordance with team policy, additional terms of each contract were not disclosed.

Looks like we are restocking the Griffs after losing a few guys to other teams and call-ups.

[ComeClarity]

Joe Sakic expected to announce his retirement.

[PRStoetzer]

Saku Koivu signs with Anaheim. 1 year, $3.25 million.