Leeeny's Mien: NHL Free Agent Frenzy Day

Blogging the City Of Champions. Burgh Sports and other randomness. You never know. I certainly don't.

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

NHL Free Agent Frenzy Day

I'm listening to a TSN feed at usstream.tv, as they track the free agent signings on the first day of the NHL signing season. Seems appropriate to listen to Canadians today, since it's Canada Day, their version of July 4th. Here's what stands out to me as the afternoon progresses (I'm updating this post as things occur).

Pens defenseman Hal Gill signs with Montreal: 2 years, $4.5 mil total. His loss was expected. Bye bye, big guy.
Poor chooser Marian Hossa has gone from the no-ring-Red-Wings to the Blackhawks, a deal worth north of $62 mil OVER TWELVE YEARS. He'll be 42 when this contract is up. What the hell are they smoking in Chicago? And it's less per year than he turned down with the Penguins a year ago. Chuckle.
Defenseman Mike Knuble goes from Philly to Washington, 2 years totalling $5.8 mil. He seemed to be the most attractive alternative if we lost Rob Scuderi, so this might have at least an indirect impact on how things go between Shero and Scuds. The TSN guys think that the Pens have encouraged Rob to go out and see what his market value is, then to come back and try to work out a deal. I hope they're right.
No word on anything involving free-agent Pens winger Ruslan Fedotenko. I'd be pretty surprised if he comes back.
Nikolai Khabibulin (owner of one of my favorite goalie nicknames, "The Bulin Wall") goes from Chicago to Edmondton. Four years, $3.75 mil/yr.
The Pens sign NJ Devils forward Mike Rupp, 2 years @ $825K per. I don't know anything about this guy, nor the rationale behind the signing. The newspaper guys will have some analysis soon.

Twitterumors abound that we're trying hard to keep Scuderi by matching whatever anyone else offers, reputedly in the $1.8-$2.25 mil/yr for 2-3 years. I really need to see how things play out here, because I want him back.

Well, at least this beats listening to PIrate Fans vent their spleens over yet another further different player-dump, not to be confused with the previous player-dump, or last year's player-dump. While we're digressing, please let me indulge in a moment of self-defense: I am absolutely still a Pirate fan. I have been since I was a kid, and that won't ever change. What I am most definitely NOT is a supporter of the current management/ownership of the team. If this was spousal abuse, I'd be in the shelter with a restraining order. If this was the British Parliament, I'd be a member of the Loyal Opposition. The Nuttings have long ago seen the last of my money, which is the only possible way to vote No Confidence in these incompetent bastards.