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NHL Free Agency Open Thread

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.

Welcome to Smashville, Tennessee.
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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

Booth in Florida, 6 years 25.5 Million

by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 1:47 PM EDT 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

I bet it’s front loaded if true

by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 2:03 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

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 2:11 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

Ward

Signed by preds per Sean Leahy

by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 3:15 PM EDT 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

rumored 11.5 million for 3 years

by blarg on Jul 1, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up 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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