Afin de pallier à la perte de Marian Hossa, les Penguins ont mis sous contrat Miroslav Satan.  Satan a accepté une offre de 3,5 millions pour 1 an.

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Pittsburgh: Ruslan Fedotenko a signé une entente de 2,25 millions pour un an.

Bon sens les DG sont tombés sur la tête cette année!

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Un retour au New Jersey et 4 ans 20 millions à Brian Rolston.  5 milions par saison pour Brian Rolston, un joueur que je respecte beaucoup mais lui donner un contrat de 4 ans à son âge ?

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Columbus: 4 ans 19 millions à Kristian Huselius.  Sans commentaires.

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Marian Hossa, 7,45 millions pour une saison avec les Red Wings... Comme si les Red Wings en avaient de besoin.

Avec toujours Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Holstrom, je me demande bien quelle équipe pourra enlever la Coupe Stanley aux Red Wings la prochaine saison?  Venez surtout pas me dire le Canadien pour son 100e anniversaire.

Avec les améliorations dans l'Est des Rangers, du Lightning, des Capitals, des Islanders, des Senators sans Emery et des Devils, j'en suis à me demander si le Tricolore se classera dans le top 8 dans l'Est.  À moins d'une grosse signature je ne vois pas comment ça pourra être possible de voir les Canadiens dans le top 8.
Répéter une saison de 100 points avec les effectifs en place?  Je serai le premier surpris.  N'oubliez pas que toute l'équipe a vieillit d'un an.

NBA

1. Gilbert Arenas
The former Washington Wizards guard is the premier player on the market this year and is going to bring in some big bucks. The Wizards are certainly looking to keep their All Star point guard as they have reportedly offered him a deal of 6 years for approximately $126 million. Also in the running are the Golden State Warriors, who now have some extra cash lying around after Baron Davis's sudden departure. The Warriors are offering Arenas a 5 year deal worth 100 million dollars. Arenas seems to be content with the Wizards and the extra year that only the Wizards are able to offer (NBA rules) so I expect him to stay in Washington.

2. Baron Davis
Well I'm going to predict that Davis goes to the Los Angeles Clippers for 5 years and $65 million. So as everyone has heard, Davis verbally agreed to a 5 year, $65 million withtheClippers. Davis surprisingly opted out of his contract with the Golden State Warriors a couple of days ago after they refused to offer him a long-term deal. Averaging 22 points a game last season, Davis is a huge pick up for the other Los Angeles team who now can set their sights on resigning big man Elton Brand, who is up next on this NBA Free Agent list.

3. Elton Brand
Brand is by far the best big man on the market, but like Arenas, I don't see him going anywhere fast. He made it clear to the Clippers that he wants to win and they responded swiftly by signing Baron Davis. Brand's move to opt out of his contract was surprising, but as mentioned above, Brand wants to win and he may even be willing to sign for less money so the Clippers can bring in a guys like....hmm.... Baron Davis!. As mentioned in this ESPN article, Brand and Davis are good friends and both want to win. Brand likes Los Angeles and I expect him to stay there

Those are the top three NBA free agents for 2008 and I don't expect any surprises to where they are heading. There are plenty of other talented players available this year as well. Below is my list for players ranked 4-10 and where I expect them to end up (this does not include restricted free agents).

4. Corey Maggette - Expected Team: Golden State Warriors
5. James Posey - Expected Team: Boston Celtics (I hope)
6. Kurt Thomas - Expected Team: San Antonio Spurs
7. Desagna Diop - Expected Team: Dallas Mavericks
8. Ricky Davis - Expected Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
9. Kwame Brown - Expected Team: Indiana Pacers
10. Damon Stoudamire - Expected Team: Portland Trail Blazers

NHL

1. Marian Hossa
The premier free agent on the market is off the market already as the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings locked Hossa up witha one-year deal worth about 7.45 million dollars. The Red Wings were by far the best team in the NHL last year and now they just picked up the best free agent available this off season. The Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals this year and Hossa played for the Penguins. Well if you can't beat them, join them. That's exactly what Hossadid and with him, the Red Wings are big favorites to repeat next season.

 2. Sean Avery
Possibly the best left-wing available this off season has also been locked up already as the Dallas Stars signed Avery to a four-year $15.5 million deal. Avery is known around the league as a cheap player who will yell at his teammates as much as his opponents. Having said that, Avery is a gritty, hard-nosed player who will make the Stars much better. Dallas may have to deal with his on and off the ice issues during the year, but in the end, the pick up will be nothing, but successful.

3. Mats Sundin
Finally a player who hasn't signed a contrac yet. Sundin is still mulling his options as he decides whether to accept a two-year, $20 million deal from the Vancouver Canucks or agree to a less lucrative contract with the New York Rangers or Montreal Canadiens. The Rangers and Canadians offer a greater chance of winning, but the Canucks' deal would make Sundin the highest paid player in professional hockey. Yet, I really believe that Sundin does not want to leave Toronto and that if he has to go, he'll choose Montreal. Sundin and the Maple Leafs were a perfect fit for years, but it seems that time is coming to an end. Sundin realizes he will be losing a great fan base in Toronto, so he will want to go to another team which has equal or even better fans that Toronto. Montreal fits perfectly into that position and I see Sundin choosing to go there.

The NHL Off Season began witha lot of the big names signing with Sundin the only majoy player still making up his mind. Like the NBA section above, here are the list of players 4-10 who are the top of the NHL market this year and where they will be playing next year.

4. Brian Campbell - Expected Team: Chicago Blackhawks
5. Wade Redden - Expected Team: New York Rangers
6. Ryan Malone - Expected Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
7. Brooks Orpik - Expected Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
8. Markus Naslund - Expected Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
9. Brian Rolston - Expected Team: New Jersey Devils
10. Adam Foote - Expected Team: Colorado Avalanche

With the off season is up and rolling in both the NBA and NHL. If there is one thing I've noticed from these first couple days, it is that players sign fast and if you wait, then you are going to miss out on the cream of the crop. Of the ten players in each sport that I've listed, many have already signed with a new team, especially in the NHL. So to all those GMs out there, get going!

Edward Fraser, editor of thehockeynews.com, posted some Bits and Bites from free agency that nicely sum up the first days of free agency.

And for those feeling frustrated this July, Teebz of the Hockey Blog in Canada presents a healthy rant on the salary cap, free agent inflation, and Gary Bettman in general.

Personally, I'm confused by the Marian Hossa signing in Detroit.  But I'm not a Penguins fan.  There is some serious photoshopping going on over at The Pensblog drawing comparisons between Hossa and famous historical figures.  Though some contributions are less lofty.

The show also had Eddie Olcyzk (aka "Eddie O") on today.  He has done a weekly spot on Fridays, but was on today as a final seasonal gesture for NHL Live!.  He is just such a wealth of knowledge about hockey and is so much fun to listen to.   Plus, his passion for the sport is great.  It's always fun to hear how encouraging he is about Don LaGreca's weight loss (which, by the way, is 30 pounds as of this writing!).

Well, my beloved Red Wings acquired right wing Marian Hossa for a year.  Cool! I'm curious to see how he's worked into the lineup.  Ken Holland, General Manager, just rocks.  Of course, I'm sure he didn't do it all alone.  He's got Scotty Bowman, Steve Yzerman, and the owner Mike Ilitch -  all working together to make such a winning team.  Did you know that Mike Ilitch is the founder of Little Caesar's Pizza?  Yep..."Pizza Pizza".  :)

Sean Avery went to the Dallas Stars.  It'll be fun to watch him and the Stars in the upcoming season.  Sometimes that guy needs a good slap (or body check) , in my opinion.

Too many other signings to mention here.  That's another reason why I think NHL Live! needs to be on for another week.  E.J. Hradek and Don LaGreca provide us with the scoop like no one else can.

See you in September, guys.  Life just won't be the same.

Boohoo....

Two minutes for … Being a crappy role model. Barely a week after being picked as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA entry draft by the Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose is showing off his bad side. The 19-year-old point guard is headed to court after a massive speeding violation. In April he was clocked doing 106 mph in a 65 mph zone. Rose could be sentenced to an entire year in prison, but he’ll most likely incur a steep fine and be sent to driving school. Maybe they can teach him how to read road signs.

Who’s got tickets? Potential women’s final matchup at Wimbledon. Venus Williams has already won her semi-final match against Elena Dementieva and her sister Serena is currently clobbering her opponent in the other semi-final game. Conspiracy theorists are already discussing whether or not the sisters’s eccentric father Richard will rig the final.

Fun police: Hank Steinbrenner is definitely making his father proud. The cranky co-chairman of the Yankees complained about the National League’s archaic rules in June that require a pitcher to hit, and is now starting to complain about his own team. Hopefully he throws as good of a temper tantrum as his old man so we can see some heads roll.

Extra bases: Beautiful Brett Favre has indicated that he still has the itch to play and might consider coming out of his short-lived retirement to resume his career. The Green Bay pivot is easily one of the greatest QBs of all-time and a true fan favourite. Let’s hope he has the mustard to keep it going for one more year.

After being outbid by a great deal by the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline, the Detroit Red Wings have brought Hossa to the Motor City on a 1 year deal for $7.4 Million. It was reported there were teams offering Hossa from $9 to 10 Million per season, on deals anywhere from 1 to 10 years in length. GM Ken Holland was under the impression as of last night, that Hossa was going to be heading to one of the teams offering the big money. Clearly something last night between Hossa and his agent changed that around.

“I was at the Mobil station to get gas when the phone rang and it was Rich,” Holland said. “I was caught way off guard. Shocked obviously was my initial reaction.

“Over the course of yesterday, Rich and Marian fielded a lot of offers that were substantial in relation to what we could offer. I got a call this morning from Rich telling me that Marian was very, very interested in being a Red Wing.”

Comments from Hossa for the media included the following.

“I wanted the best chance to win the Stanley Cup and I feel like Detroit is the team,” Hossa said during a teleconference Wednesday afternoon. “I know I could get more money somewhere else, but the thing that I was looking for for myself was to win the Stanley Cup.

“It wasn’t easy to throw that much money away, but I know I made the right decision. I truly believe that I made the right decision.”

Welcome to Detroit Marian, I think you'll enjoy your linemates.

So there am I, right around 12:30 today, sitting at my desk, when out of the blue up walks in none other than Marian Hossa. You can imagine my surprise, both for the obvious reason and also the fact that I had spent the better part of the last twenty-four hours sitting around wondering what team he would eventually sign with.

"Marian! What a surprise to see you here," I said. This seems so foolish looking back, but I assumed he had arrived bringing good news. I arose from my chair to shake his hand like a gentleman. I prepared myself to hear Hossa say something like, Ross, let's go get that Cup, and then we would go party somewhere. But then, as I stood there, my hand proudly extended, Hossa kicked me right in the stomach. I fell onto the floor in a heap, and Hossa kicked me again, this time in the ribs.

"Why? Why?" I yelled, Nancy Kerrigan style, as I writhed in pain, but Hossa remained wordless. Then he spat on me and stormed off. After coughing up some blood, I gathered the strength to climb back up to my desk. I went straight to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's website and saw the headline: "Hossa signs with Detroit." But how? I wondered. After this upcoming season, the Wings will have to re-sign Zetterberg and Franzen. This makes no sense. Then I read the terms of the deal: one year, $7.4 million.

"I HOPE YOU BLOW OUT BOTH YOUR ACLs NEXT YEAR!!!" I screamed, but Hossa was already gone. Gone to Detroit.

Now, it's been a long day, so I apologize if my memory of how, exactly, I found out about Hossa's decision to sign with Detroit is a little fuzzy. But if there's one thing that Penguins fans learned today, it's that Marian Hossa hates us. Today he went to incredible lengths not to be a Penguin next year, and that stings. Talk all you want about how sports is a business nowadays, and how, in the free agent era, it's silly to become attached to players when they could leave or be traded at the drop of a puck. In theory, that makes perfect sense, but in theory, Hossa would want to make virtually the same amount of money for at least four more years in Pittsburgh rather than put his long term earnings in jeopardy just to spend one season in Detroit.

Until today, I was a huge fan of Hossa's, and I even liked the Red Wings. Now my first goal for the 2008-09 NHL season is for the Wings to not win the Cup. Yes, Hossa made sure to thank the Penguins in his press conference today before discussing anything else, but that was just another twist of the knife. People will inevitably praise Hossa because this deal clearly shows that all he wants for his career from here on out is to win the Cup, but there's a difference between taking a paycut to play for a winner and being profoundly stupid. Detroit is without a doubt the overwhelming favorite to win it all next year, but the probability that Hossa would have won the Cup at some point in the next five years with the Pens would have been higher than his chances of winning in 2008-09 alone in Detroit. I would have been perfectly fine with things if Hossa chased Edmonton or Vancouver's dollars, because after all, money talks. But this just makes no sense. Ugh.

From there, the Pens had no choice but to move on and re-sign Brooks Orpik, who accepted a fairly sizable discount to stick around, but still remembered that he should take this opportunity to sign a long term contract. At least someone in the NHL realizes that the chance to spend the next six years playing in Pittsburgh with Sid and Malkin doesn't come around every day.

In the end, that's what really gets me about Hossa's departure. It sent the message loud and clear that the Red Wings are now the New England Patriots of the NHL. Other players in the league are willing to bend over backward to play for them. The reason this is so bothersome is because (excuse me while I break out the caps here) WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THE PATRIOTS OF THE NHL. Well, so much for that. The only thing that's making me feel better now is the knowledge that the real Patriots didn't go undefeated last year.

As much as I have friends that are Wings fan, I hope they somehow don't even manage to make the playoffs, and Hossa racks up just 3 points in 82 games, and when he hits the free agency market again next season, he'll be worth about a nickel.  Either that, or he can just break both his legs in the first game.

Grrrrrr . . .

On to what I really wanted to post about.  I feel horrible for the Pens.  They had a fantastic team this past season and right now I feel like it's falling apart.  They've lost three players to Tampa Bay and now their star right-winger Marian Hossa, who they aquired at the trade deadline this year, has just signed a one year deal with the team who beat them for the Cup.  I've got a problem with that.  I think that's pretty shitty of him to be offered this great contract by a team who obviously is very grateful of having him, he turns that down to see what else he can get on the open market, and then takes a one year deal with Detroit.  If I were a Pen, right now, I would be hatiiiin'.  I loved Hossa with the Penguins, he meshed so well with the entire team, and they obviously loved him in Pittsburgh.  I guess that just doesn't factor in when a player decides to sign a contract with a team.  I call them money-hungry.  So good luck to you Marian, with your ONE year in Detroit.

Hossa signed a 1-year deal worth $7.4 M with the wings.

Scary though considering we'll play them half a dozen times!

Way to sell your soul.

I have a few issues with this signing, so let me air my grievances. The Pens gave up a substantial amount of assets to acquire Hossa at the deadline. Clearly they believed they could lock Hossa up in the off season. Any rightfully so, this is the team with the brightest future in the league, is well managed in Ray Shero, and destined for dynasty status for at least the next 6 to 7 years. Who WOULDN'T want to play here?

To my knowledge, the Pens were offering the same amount of money, potentially on a longer contract. Althought for the reported $7.4-million he signed for on a one-year deal, I'd be 100% positive the Pens would have signed, without a question.

This guy makes Alexei Yashin look like a saint if you ask me. I was always a fan of Hossa, but I now turn my back. Pittsburgh took him for a ride to the Finals, put him on a line with Crosby and afforded him the opportunity to salvage a horrendus season and keep his "superstar" status... THIS is how you repay them?

So why leave? Your guess is as good as mine. It's probably just greed. You see Detroit win a cup, you figure you can get on that train for one more season, then ask for a ridiculous amount of money the next season.

If I had one wish, it would be for the Penguins to face the Red Wings in the final next season and give them Hossa what he deserves. Everyone will be a little older, a little wiser... but Hossa will still be the no-class ass clown he always was.

Eaton: Defenseman Mark Eaton signed a 2-year, $2 million contract with the Penguins.  Injured for much of last season, Eaton is a solid defenseman and penalty-killer, and like with the Dupuis contract, I see this deal as being an absolute steal for the Pens.

Ruutu: Jarkko Ruutu has been made an offer, believed to be a 2-year contract, but no word on the details of the contract, or if he has accepted.

Laraque: It is being reported that Georges Laraque has not been given an offer sheet by the Penguins, effectively ending any chance that we will see him in the black-and-gold next season.  This is very sad news, and I think his physical presence will be sorely missed last season.  Does this mean we are lining up another 'enforcer' currently on the Free Agency market?

It is also being rumored that if the Penguins don't manage to persuade Hossa to re-sign, they may look towards Vancouver's Markus Naslund as a potential replacement.  Naslund began his NHL career in Pittsburgh in '93, before he was part of what is widely regarded as one of the most lop-sided trades in NHL history, being moved to Vancouver in exchange for Alex Stojanov who played only 45 games with the Penguins, notching up a massive 6 points, before spending the rest of his career in the minors, playing his last game for the mighty New Mexico Scorpions.  He is now a firefighter.  Naslund has racked up 856 points in 1080 NHL games.  Yup, awesome trade that was!

It's no secret that the Rangers need help on defence. They desperately need somebody to play the point on the power play and they also need somebody who understands the phrase "clearing the crease". There is a lot of talk about Brian Campbell and Wade Redden as possible targets. Campbell is the better of the two but is most likely to be overpaid and probably won't sign with the Rangers. Campbell would be a nice fit for the Rangers but they also need to keep in mind that Bobby Sanguinetti is nearing NHL ready. John-Michael Liles has already re-signed with the Colorado Avalanche, which is unfortunate because he would be a very nice stop gap for Sanguinetti. A possibility is the Rangers make a trade for a defenceman rather go after a free agent like Campbell or Redden. It is well known that the Lightning are actively shopping Dan Boyle and are seriously looking to move him to free up cap space. Boyle has 6 years and $40M remaining on his contract, which is roughly around $6.5M a season. There was talk of Boyle going to the Rangers during the trade deadline this season, but it never happened. Boyle has had injury problems and with 6 years remaining on his contract thats a big commitment. The Anaheim Ducks are also shopping Mathieu Schneider, a former Ranger who only has a 1 year contract at $5.6M. He would be a very nice stop gap for Sanguinetti and is virtually no risk. Also the Rangers may go after Brooks Orpik or Mike Commodore, both are hard hitting defenceman who understand how to play tough in front of their own net. The Rangers could sign Commodore, he is most likely going to be cheaper than Orpik.

Offensively the Rangers have an avalanche of players heading to free agency; Jaromir Jagr, Sean Avery, Martin Straka and Brendan Shanahan. Marian Hossa is the type of player who may prefer to take the big money contract over the offer from the team that will give him the best situation to succeed and make a run at the Stanley Cup. My bet is he is going to sign an enormous contract from a team who was not believed to be in the running for him. Jaromir Jagr is most likely going to jump the pond and head for Russia with that $35M contract in sight. Mats Sundin is one of the prime targets for the Rangers if Jagr re-signs. Sundin hasn't even said if he wants to continue playing in the NHL or not, there's a possibility he is going to retire or even head back over to Europe. He's an uncertainty. All Rangers fans want Sean Avery to return. He loves New York, the fans are crazy about him, he's going to re-sign. It is going to be a long drawn out process, but he is going to re-sign. Brian Rolston has a standing offer from the Lightning, it's tempting for him to play there. The Lightning have already made a big splash with Stamkos, Prospal, Roberts and Malone. For the Rangers sake hopefully he decides otherwise. The Rangers need to give Shanahan another 1 year deal, he's a huge asset to the team and can still play. He suffered through the whole season with a leg injury and he still had 20 plus goals.
Who knows whats going to happen in less than 12 hours, I know i sure as hell dont.

At this point, it looks as if Slovakian right wing Marian Hossa will sleepwalk into offers of $8 million a year or more, and according to a variety of sources, he is leaning toward signing with a club that can be considered both a short- and long-term contender. In other words, welcome to Detroit.

But don't discount the New York Rangers or Montreal Canadiens trying to convince him they're in the Cup hunt for keeps, too.

Yahoo Rumors are normally a big pile of B.S, but in this case it most likely holds some truth. Marian Hossa has three needs that the Rangers can provide; money and a team that will be able to make a serious shot at the Cup the next couple of years.  Is he worth $8M a year? Considering that the cap keeps rising he's in the prime of his career and he is a very good fit to play alongside Gomez.. I would say yes. I really do think that he is worth the money because I have it made up in my mind he would be great with Gomez. They're both high paced north south players with Gomez being the set up man and Hossa being the finisher.

The only problem with a signing like Hossa is it leaves holes in the lineup, especially on defense. There just won't be enough money to go around.

Anyway, with the frenzy upon us, let's take a look at the best of the best in unrestricted free agents under 30.

1. Marian Hossa, Wing, Pittsburgh Penguins

Be ready to pay. Unless I have oodles of empty cap space and a playmaking center that can get him the puck whenever he wants it, I'm not paying the $8 million over 7+ years that Hossa will command. He's 29 years old and has had one, count 'em one, big-time playoff performance, which just so happened to be this spring. He put up nice numbers in 01 and 02, but be real, you aren't paying this guy to score a combined nine goals in 30 playoff games like he did in those two seasons. In my opinion, he ends with either New Jersey or Montreal, getting at least 7 seasons and at least $8.25 million per.

2. Brian Campbell, Defenseman, San Jose Sharks

With plenty of money burning a hole in the pocket of Rangers GM Glen Sather, I think Campbell ends up reunited with former Sabres buddy Chris Drury in New York. One of the five best power play QBs in the game, he'll be sought after by Columbus, Ottawa, San Jose and Los Angeles. I expect him to get five or six years at $6.75-7.25 million per.

3. Cristobal Huet, Goaltender, Washington Capitals

He's not going anywhere. Huet played too well down the stretch for the Caps for them to consider going in another direction. Some are going to question whether he is the guy to get the Caps to the promised land, but they don't have much of a choice. Four years, $5 million per.

4. Brooks Orpik, Defenseman, Pittsburgh Penguins

The ultimate enigma of the market, the man who knocked down three Red Wings on one Stanley Cup Finals shift. Already having turned down three years, $3 million per from the Penguins, Orpik is expected to be run at by the Rangers, Sabres, Avalanche and Kings the hardest, but I think at least a dozen teams will be going for him tomorrow afternoon. I think a lot of people get caught up thinking he's young, but he's going to be 28 on opening night 2008. While I think many teams could use his physical style as a second-pair guy for the next four or five years, his projected price tag of $5 million per is too rich for my blood. But you have to pay to get defensemen in free agency. It's always been that way.

5. Michal Rozsival, Defenseman, New York Rangers

He came to the Rangers as a reclamation project post-lockout, he leaves as the fourth most sought after defenseman behind the aforementioned two and Wade Redden. Apt to defer to often to his more talented teammates at forward, Rozsival is either going to blossom or breakdown with whoever he signs with. I think he's best suited for a coach like Tom Renney, who more prodded than pushed. Either way, I think he's better than Tom Poti, who got a nice deal from the Caps last year, so I say expect four years at $5.25-5.75 million. All I can say is he won't be a Ranger.

6. Sean Avery, Wing, New York Rangers

And neither will this guy. Ask yourself this:

1. Will he still be inspired after getting a big contract?

2. Can his body take the beating it does night after night through a four or five year contract?

3. Does your team have the respected veterans (aka Brendan Shanahan) to keep him in check?

4. Will his offensive game continue to develop?

If you answered yes to ALL of those questions, enjoy Sean Avery. I hope he doesn't come back to the Rangers, especially at what I think will be a four year, $4 million per type contract. The Rangers are flipping their leadership core and I just don't think Avery fits in. I bet he signs with San Jose or Florida.

7. Kristian Huselius, Wing, Calgary Flames

The forward version of Orpik, but a little more proven. He's soft, he doesn't take enough shots. He's very shifty and skates through open ice as well as any player in the league. When he's confident, he's as deadly as an second-tier forward in the game. The opinions on this guy are as varied as they come, and while I like his talent, I don't want to give him more than two or three years at $3.5 million per. The Islanders, Devils, Leafs, Pens, Jackets and Blackhawks will all be in on him.

Best of the Rest:

Radim Vrbata, Wing, Phoenix Coyotes

Ron Hainsey, Defenseman, Columbus Blue Jackets

Mike Ryder, Wing, Montreal Canadiens

Larry Brooks reveals the Rangers' master plan (for real -- not trying to be snide): sign Jagr and Sundin for the first line, team up Gomez and Drury on the second line, re-sign Avery and Rozsival -- see the Post for details. He had it right last year on this day when his source (no doubt the same one this time) told him the Rangers were targeting both Gomez and Drury and were letting Nylander go

Besides the point where Avery and Jagr are going to be re-signed this plan makes me sick. I DO NOT want to see SUNDIN in Ranger blue this year. I know he is still productive and could help the team, but i want the Rangers to get younger, not older through free agency. Even though the picture of Sundin centering Jagr reminds me of the days when Jagr played alongside Mario, I still don't like it because that was the early/middle 90's.. its now 2008. This plan also leaves out Shanahan, which i know im being contradictory saying i want Shanny but not Sundin because of age, but hear me out. Shanny will sign an incentive laden risk free one year deal and he's already been successful with the team. Sundin is going to be overpaid and sign for two maybe three years. I don't want to see that happen. I'd rather see the Rangers overpay for Hossa or give less money to Brian Rolston who can fill more than one roll than see the Rangers sign Sundin.

Brooks was correct about last year's free agency happenings, hopefully he's dead wrong this time around.

The Bergen Record reports there are "indications" that Devils GM Lou Lamoriello will try to make a big splash in the free agent market, perhaps going after F Marian Hossa.

"All of that goes on behind the scenes and we don't talk about it," Lamoriello told The Record. "If we can do something that makes our team better, we'll do that. You try to do that during the regular season, but you can't always do it."

All i want to say is, that if Hossa wants to see his point totals decrease by 25+ a season, by all means talk with Debbies. Sweet Lou never throws a lot of money in anyones directions not even their own ie Scott Gomez. Besides, Hossa won't solve the Debbies problems.

Just watch though, now that i said something he'll be playing in front of all the 19 'Devils faithful' next year for 41 games.

The big winners of 07's Free Agency. So excited they actually began to look alike. To a horrifying degree.

Being that the NHL's Free Agent Signing Period begins in three days (On Canada Day!!! How demeaning!!), I figured I'd use my limited knowledge to analyze the NHL's Northeast Divisions' cap situation*. It'll be similar to a TSN special, but with a heightened self-awareness of inferiority.

Boston Bruins

Current Number of Dudes Under Contract for the 08-09 Season: 19

Current Cap Number: $46 Million

Most Expensive Dudes: Zdeno Chara @ 7.5 million, Mark Savard @ 5 million, Patrice Bergeron @ 4.75 million, Manny Fernandez @ 4.33 million, Glen Murray @ 4.15 million

Dudes' Take of Current Cap Figure: 55.9%

Will Savard and Hossa be recreating the magic of 05 in Boston? It's almost certainly possible.

Wild speculation has the Bruins buying out Murray and signing Marian Hossa, a move that would reunite the old Atlanta teammates (Marc Savard had a career year in 05-06) in a more conducive environment. If Hossa could help Savard get 97 points in Atlanta, I'd say 150 isn't out of the question in Boston. Also, when the hell did this Manny Fernandez signing occur? Don't they have like 4 competent goaltenders within the Boston organization (Toikkenen, Auld, Thomas, Rask)? Fuck buying Murray out, get rid of that Fernandez clown and promote Tuuka Rask. Leafs' fans haven't suffered enough.

Buffalo Sabres

Current number of Dudes under contract for the 08-09 season: 16

Current Cap Number: 39 million

Most expensive dudes: Thomas Vanek (wow Kevin Lowe's wheelings and dealings are simultaneously alienating fans in two cities) @ 7.14 million (for the next 5 years too. Wow), Derek Roy @ 4 million, Jochan Hecht @ 3.525 million, Jaroslav Spacek @ 3.33 million, Maxim Afinogenev @ 3.33 million

Dudes' Take: 54.7%

Who is this wonderfully coiffed young man? While it's Thomas "7.14 million" Vanek, or the Christopher Columbus of Restricted Free Agency. Enjoy the next five years, Sabres' fans!!

That Vanek deal is looking awful. He's one of the Top 10 highest paid in the Eastern Conference and he racked up 64 points last year. In a full 82 game season. Plus he has a child out of wedlock!!! All this money has and gone to his head!!! Take him Edmonton!!! But seriously, was keeping him the right move? Too early to tell, but in Buffalo, Kevin Lowe voodoo dolls must be at a premium. Also, will Campbell return to Buffalo? They got some room to make something happen, but it may come down to him or Maxim, whose contract ends after this season. Personally, I'd go with BC. Highly compensated Europeans haven't worked out too well in Buffalo (I'm using Vanek as precedent. It's not too early too tell. He's a colossal bust)

Montreal Canadiens

Current number of Dudes under contract for the 08-09 season: 17

Current Cap Number: 41 million

Most expensive dudes: Andrei Markov @ 5.75 million, Roman Hamrlik @ 5.5 million?, Alex Tanguay @ 5.25 million, Saku Koivu @ 4.75 million, Alexei Kovalev @ 4.5 million

Dudes' Take: 62.8%

Will Scandinavia follow their victory of 08 with a similar result in 09? Haps' fans keep your fingers crossed, since it may be the last chance for Scandinavian success in Montreal.

It's got to be pretty sweet to have your highest paid players either be mediocre or above the age of 33. Nice long-term strategy, Mr. Gainey cuz your fucked after this year. The Canadiens only have 5 players signed beyond this season and they will have to deal with the Free Agenting of Higgins, Komisarek, Kovalev, Tanguay, Koivu, and Ryder after this season. Whose without a chair? Could Canadian teams' supposed purging of their European captains spread to Quebec? Will Kovalev make the decision easier and retire to a life of exorbitant luxury in the Russian Superleague? Will there be any dough left for Price in the summer of 10? They better make things happen this year because the future of their team in its current form is non-existent.

Ottawa Senators

Current number of dudes under contract for the 08-09 season: 14

Current Cap Number: 40 million

Most Expensive Dudes: Dany Heatley @ 7.5 million, Jason Spezza @ 7 million, Daniel Alfredsson @ 4.4 million, Mike Fisher @ 4.2 million, Martin Gerber @ 3.7 million

Dudes' Take: 67%

Would Alfy be willing to accept fewer dollars to stay with his boys?

I really love the long term deals of Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. They will look better the more time passes too. That being said, they have a number of questions confronthing them both this summer and next. Concerning this season, what defenceman will they choose to retain: Mezjaros or Redden? For next summer, they must decide whether or not Gerber is the goalie of the future or look elsewhere for help. And more importantly, they will have to decide whether or not to resign Alfredsson. His current contract is a fucking steal but I doubt he'd be willing to resign for anything less than 6 million/year, which is completely fair considering his career production. This is potentially crazy shit; all 4 of the European Captains within Canada could be on the way out in the next two years. Sundin and Naslund could both be gone this summer and Alfy and Koivu are Free Agents next summer for teams that are either financially committed to younger talent (Ottawa) or more likely to resign younger talent (Montreal with Higgins, Ryder, and Komisarek). This is all very ironic considering European leadership has peaked within the NHL with Nicklas Lidstrom's captaining of the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings. Though predicting the success of one team based upon the nationality of another's captain is questionable, Detroit's victory would allow teams to squash any uncertainties surrounding their captain's ability to lead by pointing to the success of Lidstrom. Considering this new get out of jail free card with the increasingly xenophobic Canadian media, the timing of these player's potential exits is very odd. Or it could be a coincidence. We'll have to wait and see. Anyways, it'll be interesting to see where these great players end up in the next couple years.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Current number of dudes under contract for the 08-09 season: 18

Current Cap Number: 40 million

Most Expensive Dudes: Bryan McCabe @ 5.75 million, Pavel Kubina @ 5 million, Tomas Kaberle @ 4.25 million, Jason Blake @ 4 million, Vesa Toskala @ 4 million

Dudes' Take: 57.5%

Jason Blake: Not the worst contract on the Leafs, but certainly in the Top 3. The Leafs take pride in that skill, dominating the Northeast leaderboard with 3 of the worst 4 contracts in the division. It's difficult to place, however, considering the parallel shittiness of McCabe and Vanek.

And finally onto the team most likely to be analyzed, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their most highly compensated players are pretty comical considering that 4 of the top 5 payed are defensive players. Funny. Besides that, puzzling is the only way I can describe the contract of Jason Blake, or the the man most likely to be around in 2011-2012 (based solely on his contract. Only guy signed that long) Tucker is living the high life right now; guy could be living pretty doing shit for five years on the 1 mill/year the Leafs are paying him. Is the 2nd worst buyout in the Eastern Conference, behind the enviable situation of Mr. Alexei Yashin. Anyways, the big question revolves around Sundin's future in Toronto. Is he coming back or not? I think he should go. Coming back would diminish his legacy. Leaving now would sollidify his position as a victim of the incompetency of JFJ and the rest of the idiotic Leafs' management. Go to a contender, win a cup, and be celebrated like Kevin Garnett.

In other draft news, most of my projections went much lower in the draft than I thought.  One pick of note, by the time the Chicago Blackhawks were selecting at #11, Kyle Beach was still available, and the Blackhawks jumped at the chance.  I had mentioned Kyle as being one of the more interesting picks - a proven goal-scorer, with a reputation of a feisty temperament on and off the ice.  Certainly has the potential to be in the Blackhawks line-up at the start of the upcoming season, and should be incredibly entertaining to watch

Malkin: Gino has certainly been in the news over this weekend.  On Friday, stories were surfacing that a number of teams in the newly formed Continental League in Russia were trying to sign Malkin to play in their inaugural season starting in September.  It was rumored that they were offering him $12.5 million tax-free each season, which would make him by far the highest paid hockey player in the world.  The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) immediately jumped into the fray, releasing a statement saying that if the new league attempted to sign Malkin while still under contract in the NHL, they would impose serious sanctions on the offending league and country, potentially banning them from all major competitions like the Olympics, World Championships etc.  Malkin also stated that he had no intention of going back to Russia, and was focused on re-signing a long-term contract with the Penguins.  There is speculation that he will re-sign for the Pens on or shortly after July 1st, a date the Pens must wait for before talking about new contracts, and it is expected that he will sign a 5 or 6 year $8.5 million/yr contract, which is great news for the Penguins.

Hossa/Malone: Contract talks have broken down between Hossa and the Penguins, and it now appears that he is intent on testing out the UFA waters from July 1st.  This isn't great news for the Pens, but it would re-open the door for trying to keep Ryan Malone in Pittsburgh.

No more news on Orpik, Fleury or the other UFA's, but I'm sure we'll hear more this week.

If you want me to start analyzing individual picks, don't get your hopes up. Most players in this draft will not be in the NHL for years to come, whether they are going to college or playing overseas. However, the top picks in the draft will look to make a difference next year. Stamkos will make the Lightning better immediately and the four defense man chosen after that should all have impacts on their respective teams next year.  Almost none of the playerstaken after the top five will see NHL ice time next year. With that in mind, it is extremely difficult to grade teams in the draft. Not just are most players not ready for the NHL and will spend a couple years getting better, but it is tough for NHL general managers to predict their respective team's needs years in advance. So I am sticking away from grading each teams. I can barely grade my beloved Bruins. I have mixed feelings over picking Colborne. He is a talented player with great upside, but from what I've read, he may be too soft for the NHL. I guess Bruins management (and their fans) are hoping his time at Denver University will toughen him up.

With the draft over, it is time to look ahead to the off season and the potential free agents up for grabs. As I look through the list of unrestricted free agents, there aren't many superstars' names on it. The biggest name is Marian Hossa, who wants to stay in Pittsburgh, but the two sides seem far apart on a deal. I would love the Bruins to make a serious run at this guy. In the NHL teams have the opportunity to buy out players on their team for two-thirds of their salary. In the Bruins case, I hope GM Peter Chiarelli will choose to buy out Glen Murray and goalie Manny Fernandez. Murray has had plenty of great years for the Bruins, but he's aging and just isn't playing up to his salary. Fernandez has been injured and is just eating up money. If the team can do that, then maybe they will make a pitch to Hossa. I'm sure my bias is clear here, but I want to add that besides money, the Bruins are also going to have to convince Hossa to come to Boston. There are plenty of teams out there who would love to add a player like Hossa and I'm sure he will receive offers from many teams.

Other big names in the draft include Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg. Sakic is 39 and is debating returning for a 20th season. If he does return, it is clear he will continue playing in Colorado. Forsberg is also up there in age, but will also become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Sean Avery is also a free agent and the Rangers don't seem to be able to sign the forward. Brendan Shanahan is also an unrestricted free agent on the Rangers. There are very few superstars available this year. The league has gotten much younger since the lockout and teams are signing their young stars to long deals which makes the free agent crop very weak. That's not to say that there isn't talent in the free agents this year. There is plenty of talent out there and when teams begin to buy players out of their contracts, the talent level will only increase and the competitive nature of the NHL off season will ensue. (Photos: ESPN)

Marian Hossa told the Pittsburgh Penguins he intends to test the National Hockey League free agent market, and the Slovakian forward expects to attract lucrative offers once bidding begins July 1.

Marian Hossa will become a FA July 1st. Those poor penguins, first they get SPANKED in the finals, Malkin is attracting ridiculous offers from his native Russia, Sidney Crosby's playoff beard is barely thicker than a prepubescent boy, and now Hossa looks to be a goner. It's too bad that Gary Bettman and Co. can't help them out.

My dream would be for Crosby to be the only star on that team, then it would FINALLY be banged into the thick skulls of the media and dumb founded hockey fans that he is no more than an average superstar ( i know thats an oxymoron guy) incapable of carrying a team for any significant time. Crosby is nothing special and if I keep hearing him mentioned in the same breath as the greats I will have no choice but to drop kick the first person i see wearing his jersey when the Rangers play that team who i will not mention at the Garden next year.

Yeah so i will take any shot at Crosby and the Penguins i can.

Back on track. It'd be interesting to see if the Rangers will make a play for Hossa, after his performance in this years playoffs in which HE NOT CROSBY lead his team through the playoffs.  I think he would look nice in Ranger blue playing alongside Gomez.

Ainsi en transigeant Evegny Malkin au Lightning les Penguins pourrait mettre la main sur le 1er choix, Steven Stamkos eux qui n'ont aucun choix de 1ere ronde en 2009.

Également le Lightning pourrait ajouter dans l'échanger un joueur tel que Dana Tyrell leur 1er choix 2007,  leur choix de 2e ronde de 2009 et le défenseur Shane O'Brien.

Très logique comme transaction.

Hossa: Marian Hossa returns from vacation this week, and will assess the contract offer on the table for him.  This is believed to be as I reported in a previous blog, a 7-year $50 million contract.  Hossa could definitely make more in the open market, but the opportunity to be Crosby's winger for the next 7 years should be well worth taking less than market value.  Hossa's agent is currently denying all of these rumours though, so who the heck knows.

Orpik: Brooks Orpik's agent will begin talks this weekend with the Pens to keep him in Pittsburgh for the forseeable future.

Draft: Rumours are surfacing that the Pens are in talks with the LA Kings to acquire their #2 draft pick.  The cost of this pick would be quite substantial - usually it would be a RFA, but the Pens do not have any high caliber players hitting RFA this season.  This leads the options towards a player hitting Free Agnecy next year, so we'd be looking at a Jordan Staal, Petr Sykora, or Darryl Sydor.

Coming soon - Eddie's Draft Preview . . .