Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Everything That's Happened So Far

Anaheim Ducks Logo - Primary (2007-Pres)
SIGNED:
Brad May (2 Years, Terms Undisclosed)
Todd Bertuzzi (2 Years, $4M per year)
Matheiu Schnieder (2 Years, $5.625M per year)

RE-SIGNED
Sean O'Donnell (2 Years, $1.25M per year)
Kent Huskins (2 Years, $600K per year)

ANALYSIS: The rich get richer. The Ducks are still the best in the West even if they lose Nieds and Selanne.
Atlanta Thrashers Logo - Primary (2000-Pres)
SIGNED:
Ken Klee (2 Years, Terms Undisclosed)
Eric Perrin (2 Years, $750K per year)
Todd White (4 Years, $2.375M per year)

RE-SIGNED:
Pascal Dupuis (1 Year, $880K)

ANALYSIS: Call me at the end of the year, and compare Todd White and Keith Tkachuk's numbers. The Thrashers are in trouble.
Boston Bruins Logo - Primary (2008-Pres)
SIGNED:
Shawn Thornton (No Terms Disclosed)

ANALYSIS: Another team that was bad last year that failed to improve.

Buffalo Sabres Logo - Primary (2007-Pres)
RE-SIGNED:
Adam Mair (3 Years, $758K per year)
ANALYSIS: Briere and Drury hurts. Their big regret might be not going after Dainius Zubrus. But Buffalo will make the playoffs again next season, they still have enough talent and are stacked in the farm system.

Calgary Flames Logo - Primary (1995-Pres)
SIGNED:
Owen Nolan (1 Year, $1.75M)
Cory Sarich (5 Years, $3.6M per year)

RE-SIGNED:
David Hale (1 Year, $590K)
Wayne Primeau (3 Years, $1.4 Mill per year)

ANALYSIS:
Now Owen Nolan can play with Tony Amonte on the "You Still Play?" line. It will be an interesting year in Calgary.
Carolina Hurricanes Logo - Primary (1998-Pres)
SIGNED:
Jeff Hamilton (1 Year, $800K)
Wade Brookbank (1 Year)
JD Forrest (1 Year)
Tim Conboy (1 Year)

RE-SIGNED:
Ryan Bayda (1 Year)
ANALYSIS:
They really didn't improve anything. For a team that missed the playoffs a year after winning the Stanley Cup, that's inexcusable.
Chicago Blackhawks Logo - Primary (1965-Pres)
SIGNED:
Yanic Perrault (1 Year, $1.5M)
Robert Lang (2 Years)
ANALYSIS: Maybe the most improved team not called the Rangers. They are now a legit playoff contender. They gotta hope for a lotta' young guys to come thru, but now they have the right mix fo vets and kids.
Colorado Avalanche Logo - Primary (1996-Pres)
SIGNED:
Ryan Smyth (5 Years, $6.25M Per year)
Scott Hannan (4 Years, $4.5M Per year)
ANALYSIS:
Expect the attendence problems in Denver to go away, as Colorado's added the buzz and now has the team to be competitive for the next 5 years. Joe Sakic finally has the team that can take him in to retirement, when he's comfortable doing so.
Columbus Blue Jackets Logo - Primary (2008-Pres)
SIGNED:
Sheldon Brookbank (1 Year)
Jiri Novotny (2 Years)

RE-SIGNED:
Alexander Svitov (2 Years)
Ole-Kristian Tollefson (2 Years)
ANALYSIS:
Columbus has gotta' hope people stay healthy, and Nash finally starts playing like a superstar again. And that Zherdev does as well. And that Adam Foote stays healthy. Lotta' ifs for a team that added nothing.
Dallas Stars Logo - Primary (1994-Pres)
RE-SIGNED:
Sergei Zubov (1 Year, $5.35M)
ANALYSIS:
Dallas is still due for a revamp, and they're pretty much going into the next year with the same team they had last year.
Detroit Red Wings Logo - Primary (1949-Pres)
SIGNED:
Brian Rafalski (5 Years, $6M Per year)
ANALYSIS:
Detroit might be in for a drop this year if they can't find a way to sign a serviceable goaltender.
Edmonton Oilers Logo - Primary (1997-Pres)
SIGNED:
Dick Tarnstrom (1 Year)
Matheiu Garon (2 Year)
RE-SIGNED:
Denis Grebeshkov (1 Year)
ANALYSIS:
Possibly the biggest loser of the frenzy, Kevin Lowe might wanna check the want ads.

Florida Panthers Logo - Primary (1994-Pres)
SIGNED:
Radek Dvorak (2 Years)
Brett McLean (3 Years, $1.7M per year)
Richard Zednik (2 Years, $1.6M per year)

RE-SIGNED:
Jozef Stumpel (2 Years, $2.25M per year)
Craig Anderson (2 Years)

ANALYSIS:
Florida also added Tomas Vokoun via trade, and may finally return to the playoffs for the first time since Pavel Bure led the league in goals.

Los Angeles Kings Logo - Primary (2003-Pres)
SIGNED:
Tom Preissing (4 Years, $2.75M per year)
Kyle Calder (2 Years, $2.75M per year)
Ladislav Nagy (1 Year, $3.75M per year)
Michal Handzus (4 Years, $4M per year)

RE-SIGNED:
Jaroslav Modry (1 Year, $1.2M)

ANALYSIS:
The Kings were really left for dead by many after day one, but they came back roaring on day two. With some pieces in place already, Preissing will fill out a 'D' that already features Modry, Rob Black, and Jack 'JMFJ' Johnson. While Calder, Handzus and Nagy will be playing with the likes of Frolov, Brown, Cammaleri and Kopitar.
Minnesota Wild Logo - Primary (2001-Pres)
SIGNED:
Steve Kelly (1 Year)
Nolan Schaefer (Terms Undisclosed)

RE-SIGNED:
Martin Skoula (Terms Undisclosed)
Mikko Koivu (4 Years, $3.3M per year)

ANALYSIS:
Minnesota will stick to Jacques Lemaire's system and get over 90 points, but is that enough in a crazy Northwest Division where they didn't get better and everyone but Edmonton did?
Montreal Canadiens Logo - Primary (1953-Pres)
SIGNED:
Roman Hamrlik (4 Years, $5.5M per year)
Brian Smolinski (1 Year, $2M)

ANALYSIS:
Biggest losers of the UFA frenzy. They need to find a way to make Montreal a better place to play.
Nashville Predators Logo - Primary (1999-Pres)
SIGNED:
Greg De Vries (2 Years)
Radek Bonk (2 Years)
Jed Ortmeyer (2 Years, $750K)

RE-SIGNED:
Alex Henry (1 Year)
Scott Nichol (2 Years, $750K)
Pekka Rinne (2 Years)
Ville Koistenen (1 Year, $475K)

ANALYSIS:
The Preds are not completely out of playoff contention, with 5 of their top 6 d-men back, a couple of decent offensive lines, and the amazing Alex Radulov, but it'll be a tough sell for what could be the final year in Nashville.
New Jersey Devils Logo - Primary (1993-Pres)
SIGNED:
Dainius Zubrus (6 Years, $3.4M per year)
Karel Rachunek (1 Year, $1.5M)

RE-SIGNED:
Johnny Oduya (Terms Undisclosed)

ANALYSIS: Zubrus and Rachunek are no Gomez and Rafalski, but they'll get this team at least as far as Round 2 of the playoffs, which is where Gomez and Rafalski brought them the last two years. Whether or not Zubrus plays wing or center will determine a lot in how the Devils shape their offense this year.
New York Islanders Logo - Primary (1998-Pres)
SIGNED:
Jon Sim (3 Years, $1M per year)

ANALYSIS: The Islanders are in deep trouble, in more than one way, after letting Smyth and Blake going and replacing them with Jon Sim.
New York Rangers Logo - Primary (1979-Pres)
SIGNED:
Scott Gomez (7 Years, $7.36M per year)
Chris Drury (5 Years, $7.05M per year)

ANALYSIS: I hate to say it, but the Rangers are the early favorite out of the Eastern Conference.

Ottawa Senators Logo - Primary (1998-Pres)
SIGNED:
Matt Carkner (1 Year)

RE-SIGNED:
Danny Bois (2 Years)

ANALYSIS:
Ottawa didn't improve on last year's team. Letting Comrie and Preissing walk will hurt.

Philadelphia Flyers Logo - Primary (1968-Pres)
SIGNED:
Daniel Briere (8 Years, $6.5M per year)

ANALYSIS: Add this to the signing of Timmonen and Hartnell, the trade for Lupul and Smith, and the Flyers are back in the Atlantic Division title contention.
Phoenix Coyotes Logo - Primary (2004-Pres)
NOTHING

ANALYSIS: Same as it ever was in the Valley Of the Sun. New GM, Same Problems. Good luck to Jovo and Doan with this bunch.

Pittsburgh Penguins Logo - Primary (2001-Pres)
SIGNED
Petr Sykora (2 Years)
Darryl Sydor (2 Years, $2.5M)
Danny Sabourin (2 Years, $512K)

RE-SIGNED:
Ryan Whitney (6 Years, $4M per year)

ANALYSIS:
It will be interesting to see how Sykora meshes with the rest of this bunch. Sydor will help with Ryan Whitney's development as a defenseman.
San Jose Sharks Logo - Primary (1992-Pres)
RE-SIGNED:
Joe Thornton (3 Years, $7.2M per year)

ANALYSIS:
Maybe the Sharks will be ready to take the next step this year. Maybe.

St. Louis Blues Logo - Primary (1999-Pres)
SIGNED:
Paul Kariya (3 Years, $6M per year)

RE-SIGNED:
Barrett Jackman (1 Year)
Keith Tkachuk (2 Years, $4M per year)

ANALYSIS:
Kariya is a big "get" for JD and the Blues. They will be a team to contend with this year. Many people forget they finished 10th in the West last year. I have a feeling they'll be a lot closer with Nashville and Detroit dropping in quality and only Chicago improving more.

Tampa Bay Lightning Logo - Primary (1993-Pres)
SIGNED:
David Schneider (1 Year)
Jay Leach (1 Year)
Matheiu Darche (1 Year)
Michel Ouelett (2 Years)

ANALYSIS:
Ouelett will blossom into the sniper he showed signs of becoming in Pittsburgh. Brad Richards point total will increase by double digits.
Toronto Maple Leafs Logo - Primary (1983-Pres)
SIGNED:
Simon Gamache (2 Years)
Jason Blake (5 Years, $4M per year)

RE-SIGNED:
Jay Harrison (1 Year)
Bates Battaglia (2 Years, $650K per year)

ANALYSIS:
After all that, the Leafs aren't that much better. They still need to do more to become a playoff team.


Vancouver Canucks Logo - Primary (1998-Pres)
SIGNED:
Byron Ritchie (TBD, $675K)
Brad Isbister (TBD, $525K)
Greg Classen (Terms Undisclosed)
Lukas Krajicek (2 Years, $1.1M per year)

RE-SIGNED:
Brad Moran (Terms Undisclosed)
Jason Jaffray (Terms Undisclosed)
Jeff Cowan (2 Years)

ANALYSIS:
Whole lotta' nothin' for the Canucks. Some career minor leaguers and career fourth-liners. Krajicek provides depth on the 'D', but overall there wasn't much VanCity could do.

Washington Capitals Logo - Primary (2008-Pres)
SIGNED:
Tom Poti (4 Years, $3.5M Per year)
Michael Nylander (4 Years)
Viktor Kozlov (2 Years, $2.5M per year)

ANALYSIS:
Good character guys for Capitals. With Nylander, Kozlov and Backstrom, they're set down the middle for a while. Nylander and Ovechkin will make each other better players. Poti will make for a dangerous DC power play.

No comments:

Search This Blog

Stats