While the hockey world has CBA talk in the driver seat, the free agency period has been thrown out of the van. No fear, we found it on the side of the road 4 weeks later and are giving it a ride. Here is what has gone down for the Eastern Conference teams.
Note: This only includes Free Agent signings. No trade or resignings here. All signings according to the NHL website.
Boston Bruins
Who They Signed: Christian Hanson, Garnet Exelby, Aaron Johnson
What That Means: Tough team, son of Slapshot, seems like a good fit. Also, the blueline is shored up.
Buffalo Sabres
Who They Signed: John Scott, Mark Mancari, Kevin Porter
What That Means: Lucic might have to actually face someone next time he touches Miller.
Carolina Hurricanes
Who They Signed: Joe Corvo, Marc-Andre Gragnani, Tim Wallace, Alexander Semin
What That Means: Corvo back with the 'Canes? Colour me unsurprised. The Semin signing should be interesting for this team as they try to get back to the playoffs.
Florida Panthers
Who They Signed: Filip Kuba, George Parros, Jean-Francois Jacques, Peter Mueller
What That Means: Signing depth players worked last year for the Panthers. This year, maybe not as much.
Montreal Canadiens
Who They Signed: Colby Armstrong, Brandon Prust, Cedric Desjardins, Francis Boullion
What That Means: The Habs just got tougher. Is the Northeast becoming the modern-version (Chuck) Norris Division?
New Jersey Devils
Who They Signed: Krys Barch, Phil DeSimone
What That Means: Just like the Kings - why try to fix what is working.
New York Islanders
Who They Signed: Brad Boyes, Matt Carkner, Eric Boulton, Nathan McIver
What That Means: The Islanders improved a bit, making it possible for them to again finished 5th in the Atlantic Division
New York Rangers
Who They Signed: Arron Asham, Micheal Haley, Taylor Pyatt, Jeff Halpern, Brandon Segal
What That Means: Just what Dr. Torts ordered. More toughness.
Ottawa Senators
Who They Signed: Mike Lundin, Guillaume Latendresse, Tyler Eckford, Nathan Lawson
What That Means: They are becoming Minnesota east (east-er? more east?) minus the superstar signings.
Philadelphia Flyers
Who They Signed: Danny Syvret, Ruslan Fedotenko, Bruno Gervais
What That Means: No expected franchise goalie signing? (Leighton resigning doesn't count) I don't know what to make of it.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Who They Signed: Jeff Zatkoff, Riley Holzapfel, Tanner Glass, Dylan Reese, Warren Peters, Trevor Smith, Phillippe Dupuis, Ben Ferriero
What That Means: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins should be Calder Cup contenders.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Who They Signed: Benoit Pouliot, Sami Salo, Matt Carle, Matt Taormina
What That Means: They solidified the defense. How that helps fix their goaltending problem I don't know (Lindback is still unproven in my eyes).
Toronto Maple Leafs
Who They Signed: Mike Kostka, Jay McClement, Keith Aucoin
What That Means: Truculence. That is all.
Washington Capitals
Who They Signed: Joey Crabb, Garrett Stafford, Jack Hillen, Ryan Stoa, Wojtek Wolski
What That Means: The Cap are a bit more defensive. But just a bit.
Winnipeg Jets
Who They Signed: Alexei Ponikarovsky, Olli Jokinen, Al Montoya, Mark Dekanich
What That Means: Signing goalies from the Islanders and Blue Jackets, along with re-signing Pavalec, that's a true playoff contender right there...jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Free Agent Recap: Western Conference
While the hockey world has CBA talk in the driver seat, the free agency period has been thrown out of the van. No fear, we found it on the side of the road 4 weeks later and are giving it a ride. Here is what has gone down for the Western Conference teams.
Note: This only includes Free Agent signings. No trade or resignings here. All signings according to the NHL website.
Anaheim Ducks
Who They Signed: Brad Staubitz, Bryan Allen, Sheldon Souray, Jordan Hendry, Daniel Winnik
What That Means: The Ducks do improve their blueline and add some depth. Other than trying to trade Bobby Ryan and hoping Selanne can defy aging again, it'll remain status quo.
Calgary Flames
Who They Signed: Jiri Hudler
What That Means: The Flames want to stay mediocre. Need I say more?
Chicago Blackhawks
Who They Signed: Sheldon Brookbank, Martin St. Pierre
What That Means: The Blackhawks AHL team just got better.
Colorado Avalanche
Who They Signed: John Mitchell, PA Parenteau, Greg Zanon, Sean Sullivan
What That Means: Colorado is willing to gamble on Parenteau not being just another winger of Tavares'.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Who They Signed: Adrian Aucoin, Curtis McElhinney
What That Means: They'll still suck. Enjoy another high draft pick.
Dallas Stars
Who They Signed: Ray Whitney, Aaron Rome, Jaromir Jagr, Tyler Sloan
What That Means: When (it better happen!) GM Neuiwendyk decides to come out of retirement and centre Whitney and Jagr, the Stars will have one of the most dominant lines in the league...provided it's 2002 and not 2012. Old jokes aside, Whitney and Jagr will provide the veteran presence that the Stars need for a young club to grow.
Detroit Red Wings
Who They Signed: Jordon Tootoo, Mikael Samuelsson, Jonas Gustavsson, Brennan Evans
What That Means: You lose Lidstrom to retirement, you panic. Gustavsson should improve (since he's now a former Leaf), but there was no improvement to the Red Wings defence thus far. Not that you can improve from Lidstrom, but the gap could have been improved.
Edmonton Oilers
Who They Signed: Justin Schultz, Dane Byers,
What That Means: Schultz does improve the blueline, but this is still a young team. Wait 4-5 years for something magical.
Los Angeles Kings
Who They Signed: Andrew Bodnarchuk
What That Means: Why change what works?
Minnesota Wild
Who They Signed: Zenon Konopka, Torrey Mitchell, Jake Dowell, Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Brian Connelly
What That Means: Just give them the Cup right now. Getting the two biggest free agents this offseason was the biggest hockey coupe in a long time.
Nashville Predators
Who They Signed: Chris Mason, Mike Moore
What That Means: Well...at least they kept Shea Weber.
Phoenix Coyotes
Who They Signed: Chad Johnson, David Moss, Chris Conner, Rob Klinkhammer, Steve Sullivan, Nick Johnson, Joel Rechlicz
What That Means: They add more depth and have a veteran presence in Sullivan if Doan leaves. Now will they still be in Arizona next season?
San Jose Sharks
Who They Signed: Adam Burish, Bracken Kearns, Jon Matsumoto
What That Means:Are they tougher? Yes. Are they improved? No. San Jose needs scoring depth, they are already a tough team. Also, a goalie may help.
St. Louis Blues
Who They Signed: Jeff Woywitka, Andrew Murray, Taylor Chorney, Mike McKenna, Scott Ford
What That Means: Not much, just depth moves that won't improve an already good team much.
Vancouver Canucks
Who They Signed: Jason Garrison, Patrick Mullen, Derek Joslin,
What That Means: Along with Loungo, the Chicago Wolves will become Calder Cup champions next season. Also, Garrison will add scoring from the blueline, provided last season wasn't a fluke.
Note: This only includes Free Agent signings. No trade or resignings here. All signings according to the NHL website.
Anaheim Ducks
Who They Signed: Brad Staubitz, Bryan Allen, Sheldon Souray, Jordan Hendry, Daniel Winnik
What That Means: The Ducks do improve their blueline and add some depth. Other than trying to trade Bobby Ryan and hoping Selanne can defy aging again, it'll remain status quo.
Calgary Flames
Who They Signed: Jiri Hudler
What That Means: The Flames want to stay mediocre. Need I say more?
Chicago Blackhawks
Who They Signed: Sheldon Brookbank, Martin St. Pierre
What That Means: The Blackhawks AHL team just got better.
Colorado Avalanche
Who They Signed: John Mitchell, PA Parenteau, Greg Zanon, Sean Sullivan
What That Means: Colorado is willing to gamble on Parenteau not being just another winger of Tavares'.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Who They Signed: Adrian Aucoin, Curtis McElhinney
What That Means: They'll still suck. Enjoy another high draft pick.
Dallas Stars
Who They Signed: Ray Whitney, Aaron Rome, Jaromir Jagr, Tyler Sloan
What That Means: When (it better happen!) GM Neuiwendyk decides to come out of retirement and centre Whitney and Jagr, the Stars will have one of the most dominant lines in the league...provided it's 2002 and not 2012. Old jokes aside, Whitney and Jagr will provide the veteran presence that the Stars need for a young club to grow.
Detroit Red Wings
Who They Signed: Jordon Tootoo, Mikael Samuelsson, Jonas Gustavsson, Brennan Evans
What That Means: You lose Lidstrom to retirement, you panic. Gustavsson should improve (since he's now a former Leaf), but there was no improvement to the Red Wings defence thus far. Not that you can improve from Lidstrom, but the gap could have been improved.
Edmonton Oilers
Who They Signed: Justin Schultz, Dane Byers,
What That Means: Schultz does improve the blueline, but this is still a young team. Wait 4-5 years for something magical.
Los Angeles Kings
Who They Signed: Andrew Bodnarchuk
What That Means: Why change what works?
Minnesota Wild
Who They Signed: Zenon Konopka, Torrey Mitchell, Jake Dowell, Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Brian Connelly
What That Means: Just give them the Cup right now. Getting the two biggest free agents this offseason was the biggest hockey coupe in a long time.
Nashville Predators
Who They Signed: Chris Mason, Mike Moore
What That Means: Well...at least they kept Shea Weber.
Phoenix Coyotes
Who They Signed: Chad Johnson, David Moss, Chris Conner, Rob Klinkhammer, Steve Sullivan, Nick Johnson, Joel Rechlicz
What That Means: They add more depth and have a veteran presence in Sullivan if Doan leaves. Now will they still be in Arizona next season?
San Jose Sharks
Who They Signed: Adam Burish, Bracken Kearns, Jon Matsumoto
What That Means:Are they tougher? Yes. Are they improved? No. San Jose needs scoring depth, they are already a tough team. Also, a goalie may help.
St. Louis Blues
Who They Signed: Jeff Woywitka, Andrew Murray, Taylor Chorney, Mike McKenna, Scott Ford
What That Means: Not much, just depth moves that won't improve an already good team much.
Vancouver Canucks
Who They Signed: Jason Garrison, Patrick Mullen, Derek Joslin,
What That Means: Along with Loungo, the Chicago Wolves will become Calder Cup champions next season. Also, Garrison will add scoring from the blueline, provided last season wasn't a fluke.
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