NHL Free Agency Breakdown, Day 1
Friday, July 2, 2010
By: Bill Hoppe
MSG.com
Friday, July 2, 2010
Compared to earlier years, the opening day of free agency in 2010 was pretty tame. The weakest class in recent memory will do that. C’mon, we like those instantly regrettable $50 million contracts!
No true franchise players switched teams. Ilya Kovalchuk’s still on the market. The fattest deal was only $27 million. Boring day? Not really. July 1 still featured its normal movement and puzzling deals. Here are some interesting contracts to discuss:
Head-scratcher award, Calgary Flames
Center Olli Jokinen
Contract: two years, $6 million
Contract: one year, $1.7 million
What was Flames general manager Darryl Sutter doing Thursday? Are the Flames that desperate for goals (they had only 201 last year) they need to bring back retreads Jokinen AND Tanguay?
The Flames didn’t sign the Jokinen who tallied 39 goals and 91 points for the Florida Panthers in 2006-07. They’re not getting the Tanguay who had 22 goals and 81 points with Calgary in 2006-07. Both players, despite barely being out of their 20s, look past their prime.
Jokinen mustered 15 goals and 50 points last season. Don’t forget, the Flames traded him to the New York Rangers only five months ago. The Finn had 11 goals in 56 games at the time. Tanguay had 10 goals and 37 points with the Tampa Bay Lightning last year.
Sutter’s moves became the jokes of the day.
Top day goes to … Pittsburgh Penguins
Contract: five years, $20 million
Contract: five years, $25 million
The Penguins lost basically half of their blue line Thursday. Sergei Gonchar, the top offensive defenseman in free agency, bolted early to the Ottawa Senators. They also couldn’t ink Dan Hamhuis, whose negotiating rights they recently acquired. Jordan Leopold, a rental player, signed with the Buffalo Sabres.
Forget about those losses, though. General manager Ray Shero fortified his defense corps for years with Martin, 29, and Michalek, 27. Sure, they’re a little overpaid. But they’re reliable defenders. Maybe the slick Martin finally busts out with a monster offensive campaign. Leaving the Hamhuis sweepstakes was smart, too.
Overpaid
Contract: six years, $27 million
Of course, Hamhuis, 27, is a valuable two-way defender. But does he really deserve the day’s biggest deal? Hamhuis had five goals and 24 points last season. He’s never had more than 38 points in a year. He’s a plus-3 in his career. True, he plays about 22 strong minutes a night. But $4.5 million? That’s too much.
Great value
Contract: two years, $1.75 million
The day’s first signing gives the Rangers the reliable backup they desperately need to spell Henrik Lundqvist occasionally. Don’t let Biron’s subpar season (9-14-4, 3.27, .896) as the Islanders’ No. 2 fool you. The 32-year-old’s one of the league’s best understudies. When Ryan Miller was injured in 2005-06 and 2006-07, Biron subbed brilliantly, going an incredible 18-1 in Buffalo. He’s also one of hockey’s special personalities and will mesh well in the dressing room.
Contract: two years, $4 million
The Sharks, who let supposed franchise goalie Evgeni Nabokov walk, are spending only $2.55 million in net, about $3 million less than they paid Nabokov last season. Niittymaki’s essentially a career backup who’s showcased enough strong play to warrant more action. With Niittymaki and Thomas Greiss, an underrated prospect buried behind Nabokov for three years, the Sharks possess two solid netminders. Perhaps one will thrive as a No. 1. Despite going cheap in net, the Sharks look OK.
Center Vinny Prospal, New York Rangers
Contract: one year, $2.1 million
Even with a $1 million raise, Prospal’s still a bargain. He tallied 20 goals and 58 points last season. It wouldn’t be surprising if he built on those numbers playing beside the slick Marian Gaborik. Prospal’s one of the more underrated point producers of the last 10 years.
Best turnaround
Contract: three years, $7.5 million
In September, Malholtra, the seventh overall pick in 1998, went to San Jose’s training camp on a tryout. He made the team, earning only $700,000 in 2009-10. The checking center enjoyed a career season, however, scoring 14 goals and compiling a plus-17 rating. He’ll help the Canucks.
MORE on NHL FREE AGENCY:
Fischler: Sky Isn't Falling on Locals
Maven: Biron Fits on Broadway
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