Free Agent Frenzy: Day One Was Ridonkulous

(Sorry for all the words and no pictures....this is the most we've ever written for the blog)

We were stunned, happy, freaking out and saddened by today's events. As was everyone in the war room today.

Brian Burke was a master of trades and deals, as always. And Ray Shero didn't disappoint.

But then Brent Sutter had to ruin the party and sign Olli Jokinen for some reason that no one will ever understand.

Here's our team by team breakdown for each signing. And TSN's trade tracker is here. We suggest that you go there and check it out if you haven't already done it.


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Let's start off with Pittsburgh.

Twenty minutes into Free Agency and Sergei Gonchar was gone. He signed a 3 year, 16.5 million a year with the Ottawa Senators.

Dammit Ottawa, really? Kinda sucks that he had to go there buuuut well, when ya gotta go ya gotta go.

But Raybert wasn't having any of this jumping ship for more money. He signed two defenseman to take Sarge's place on the blueline.

The first was Zbynek Michalek from Phoenix at 5 years, 20 million.

The second was Paul Martin from New Jersey at 5 years, 25 million.

Our jaws dropped when we heard the the amount of money for each player. But then we thought about how the Penguins needed this.

So then we shut our mouths.


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Vancouver was supa-busy.

They were in the running for Dan Hamhuis all day and finally, finally they got him. He wanted to be in the Western Conference so he got what he wanted.

Hamhuis signed a 6 year deal worth 27 million dollars.

The Canucks also signed Manny Malholtra from the San Jose Sharks in a deal worth 7.5 million over 3 years.

Now there are rumors that Kevin Bieksa is on his way outta Vancouver.


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It seemed like the Toronto Maple Leafs were silent but Brian Burke made quite a few awesome and quiet trades/signings.

Last night he acquired Kris Versteeg and Bill Sweatt from the Chicago Blackhawks for Viktor Stalberg, Philipe Paradis and Chris DiDomenico.

Whatever, we had to talk Noodles off the bridge last night when the news broke.

Then today, Burke signed Colby Armstrong to a 3 year deal worth 3 million a year.

He is on a roll, a quiet and steady roll.


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Speaking of the Hawks....well, it hasn't been a pretty day for a Hawk fan or for a Hawk player.

First the Dustin Byfuglien/Brent Sopel/Ben Eager/Akim Aliu trade.

Then the Kris Versteeg/Bill Sweatt trade.

And Adam Burish left to sign a 2 year, 2.3 million contract with the Dallas Stars.

Final straw was the Andrew Ladd for Ivan Vishnevskiy and a pick.

No one is left. Please, leave us alone to mourn for who they lost. Salary cap succccckkkkssss.

It seems like their team was torn apart from the inside out. Gone is the depth, gone are the heart players.

Noodles is terrified of what will happen to the Hawks this season. But everyone is trying to stay positive.


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Like we said, Brent Sutter ruined the party we had going on Free Agent Frenzy Day. Well, only a little bit.

He signed Alex Tanguay to a 1 year 1.7 million deal and then Olli Jokinen to a 2 year 6 million dollar deal.

Oh, hey former Flames that didn't pan out.

Yeah, why don't you sign them again Sutter. Ooooookay, cause it made sense the first time around.


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The Philadelphia Flyers signed a couple of guys to their team. Sean O'Donnell was abducted from the Kings for a 1 year deal woth 1 million and Jody Shelley was signed to a 3 year 3.3 million dollar contract.

The Minnesota Wild signed a few more players, Matt Cullen to a 3 year 10.5 million dollar contract and Eric Nystrom got a 3 year 4.2 million dollar contract.

Henrik Tallinder (4 year, 13.5) and Anton Volchenkov (6 year, 25.5 million) both signed with the New Jersey Devils, making it even harder for the Penguins to score on a aging Martin Brodeur.

The New York Rangers signed Derek Boogaard to a 4 year 6.5 million dollar contract, Martin Biron to a 2 year 2.75 million dollar contract.


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Here are some of the smaller deals that went down that we think were important:


- Dan Ellis was signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning for 2 years and 3 million dollars. According to his Twitter account, he is thrilled.

- The Ducks signed Toni Lydman to a deal worth 3 years for 9 million total. Okay, good one.

- Buffalo lost both of their free agent defensemen but signed Jordan Leopold.

- Ray Whitney signed with the Phoenix Coyotes for 2 years at 6 million total.

- The Edmonton Oilers signed Kurtis Foster for their blueline for 2 years and 3.6 million. Nice signing we have to say, we like it.

- Antero Niittymaki signed with the San Jose Sharks for 2 years for 4 million dollars.

- Chris Mason signed with the Atlanta Thrashers for 2 years at 3.7 million.