NHL Free Agency Open Thread
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 11:00 AM EDT
73 comments
If yesterday was any indication, between the unexpected Gomez/Higgins trade and the Dany Heatley "non-trade", this should be a wild day to follow for NHL fans. At noon Eastern time, teams can start signing free agents to new contracts, and there are some big names on the market.
Locally, the Nashville Predators have some key players testing the waters in Steve Sullivan, Joel Ward, and Greg Zanon in particular.
For a look at what the various NHL teams have to offer, and what they're looking for, use Mirtle's list of Cheat Sheets as a jumping-off point. TSN also has a Free Agent Tracker that gets updated, but I'm guessing that Twitter is likely to be a more rapid-fire way to keep on top of things (you can follow me at @Forechecker).
So jump into the comments below to follow all the action - if this is your first time stopping by On the Forecheck, go ahead, register, and jump into the fray. One thing I might suggest is when someone reports a done deal in the comments section (please cite a link to a source like TSN or NHL.com), use the "actions" button to Recommend that comment. Once a comment gets enough Recommendations it gets highlighted within the flow, which will help approved deals jump out to the reader.
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A few things to get us started
Puck Daddy leaves Sully just outside his Top 10 Free Agent Wingers list.
The Sedin twins have signed identical (har har) 5-year extensions to stay in Vancouver.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ohlund to Tampa? I guess they’re trying to build an NHL-level defense for this year.
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't believe that money!
The report is 7 years, at a $3.75 million average. That’s a lot of money for an older D-man who takes a lot of penalties…
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Per Darren Dreger: "Ohlund will get 22.5 of the 24.5 in the next 5 years. " So this might be one of those cap-skirting retirement contracts.
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it looks like a deal that will be bought out eventually. Still a lot of dough for a decent, but not outstanding, defenseman.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Darren Dreger says Hossa close to signing in Chicago…in bizarro salary cap world.
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I did see reports that the Blackhawks are trying to get rid of Huet, if they could manage to do so that would free up a lot of cash.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Radek Dvorak re-signs with Florida...
2 years, $3.4 million total. yawn
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
TSN reports that Colton Orr has signed with Toronto… shocking that Brian Burke would pick up another knuckle-dragger!
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So
a pretty quiet start today?
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 1:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I bet a lot of GMs are waiting to see how price ranges sort out before going all in on anyone.
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And on the other hand
Many players are weighing multiple offers… I’m sure we’ll see some more moves this afternoon.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great...
“This afternoon” for you guys will be the middle of the night here in India
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's dedication!
Following this stuff from all the way around the world… just saw Slumdog Millionaire the other night and enjoyed it.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Slumdog Millionaire takes place in my hometown, Mumbai. I can see the slums while I type this.
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Craig Anderson to the Avalanche?
At long last they might have competent goaltending once again. Adrian Dater has the story and is trying to obtain confirmation.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 1:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This deal is confirmed
Per Adrian Dater… a good deal for Colorado.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Devils resign Andy Greene?
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
From TSN:
Leafs trade Kubina to Thrashers for Armstrong?
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
there’s gotta be more going back to Toronto there, Kubina’s a good blueliner.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
confirmed
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's a good deal for them
Booth is a fine young player.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just following your updates on Twitter, Dirk
Hossa to Chicago done?
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Supposedly, but not confirmed yet. Stay Tuned!
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chicago's gonna be very scary this year if it's true
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess that would mean Havlat is probably going elsewhere.
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do we want him?
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Havlat would be great, but likely unaffordable for Nashville.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pierre Lebrun:
12 years, $5.2 million per season for Hossa.
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's a great contract for Chicago
They might be able to keep many of the pieces together there at that cap hit…
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Darren Dreger: 53 Million overt he first 7 years
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Greene to NJ confirmed
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Craig Anderson to Avalanche confirmed
via TSN
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
2 years, 1.8 mil each
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a great deal for Colorado, Anderson is ready to be a #1 guy.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Colorado
desperately needed any goalie
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tampa going big on Defense?
Matt Walker signed at 4 years 1.7 each?
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
From Chicago
Making room for Hossa?
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ty Conklin the new #2 in St. Louis
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On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
$2.6M each for 2 years
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it just me or is the UFA contract insanity a little tempered this year? I can’t help but think that some of these non blockbuster contracts would have been higher last year ( See: Jeff Finger, Ryan Malone)
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I don’t see anything too crazy so far. Wondering how that will impact the Preds who hope for big raises on the free market.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok...wow
Eklund goes out there and says
@Eklund Havlat to LA (e4)
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Another from Eklund
Ville Koistinen to Panthers (e5)
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
e5
means the deal’s 100% done. but i don’t know, it’s eklund
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d wait to see it confirmed elsewhere, following Eklund’s noise isn’t worth the effort.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chicago also signs Tomas Kopecky according to TSN
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Paul Nicholson made a good point on twitter, Poile didn’t do anything on July 1 last year so don’t hold your breath for Preds signings.
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dwayne Roloson goes to the NY Islanders
Edmonton is going to be desperate for goaltending now, do they go for Khabibulin?
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So is Rollie going to back up DiPietro? Kind of an expensive goalie tandem for the Isles but I guess they’e got cap space.
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s not too bad, I think combined they’ll make $7 million as a duo. That’s moderately high, but the Islanders have the cap room.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brashear to Rangers
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Knuble to Washingon?
That’s what Andy Strickland is reporting. He was probably the #1 guy I would have liked to see Poile pick up…. dangit!
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
2 years, at $2.8 million each for Knuble
Exactly the kind of guy the Predators could use. Grrrr…..
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting to see Ward get exactly what he was asking for in terms of $$$, I’ve got this up as a separate post.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jaroslav Spacek to the Montreal Canadiens
He’s a decent defenseman… remember when Scott Nichol punched him from behind?
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 3:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Confirmed
Habs fans might consider that overpayment
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t that’s too bad a deal, maybe a little pricey. I’ll bet Hamhuis gets something close to that next summer.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but I think the fans are a little sensitive after the Gomez trade. The TSN Poll on the Spacek deal is pretty negative.
by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Khabibulin to Edmonton
That’s big for the Oilers, a very good pickup for them.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Koistinen to Florida
Finally confirmed from the Panthers… wonder if a fresh start might help him out.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Jul 1, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Zanon to Wild
TSN says 3yrs for $5.2 mil total
by Mrs @ MHH on Jul 1, 2009 5:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I will really miss him
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Camalerri to the Habs
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Fiddler's gone
to Phoenix
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Jul 1, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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