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Saturday, 02 July 2011 00:50

Written by Seth Rorabaugh

Penguins

-"I don't know Jaromir Jagr, so I'm not bitter at all. This is business, to me." - Ray Shero on who know who. The Penguins made an offer of one year for $2 million.

-"He's still a good player. People forget, I think, because he's been away from the NHL for 3 years, that he's been playing and playing at a fairly high level. We know he can play at this level." - Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren on you know who.

-"We made an offer (of $2.5 million) and it sat there. We felt he'd be a good fit. But ultimately, over the last few days, other teams came into the equation."- Red Wings general manager Ken Holland on his dealings with who know who.

-Welcome back Tyler Kennedy and welcome aboard Steve Sullivan.

-"I thought I was going to play my whole career there. But when it was time to move, I wanted to make the right one for me and for the team I was going to go to. The Flyers, for me, I thought it was a great fit." - Flyers forward Maxime Talbot on leaving the Flyers. (PG+)

-Talbot speaks:

-“The part that’s amazing about the city is that they’re so supportive of their teams. When you walk down the street and everyone says hi, good game last night, it shows how passionate they are about hockey. It’s nice to see in such a big city.” - Kennedy.

-"I think that you’re going to a team that has a legitimate chance at contending for the Stanley Cup. Just that alone is so worth it." - Sullivan.

-Faceoff-Factor takes a look at Steve Sullivan.

-Former Penguin/New Ranger Mike Rupp said good-bye to Pittsburgh in a unique way via Twitter:

-Rupp speaks:

-"One thing I think (Pittsburgh) liked was that I can play first line or fourth line. Last year, I played in every situation - power play, penalty kill, 4-on-4, shootouts." - Colin McDonald on joining the Penguins organization.

-Andrew Hutchinson, who appeared in five games with the NHL Penguins last season, joined Barys Astana of the KHL.

Atlantic Division

-The Rangers scooped up the most coveted free agent on the market in former Stars forward Brad Richards (right). He signed a front-loaded nine-year contract worth a total of $ 58.5 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $6.5 million.

-EN Says: Richards is very good. He's a playmaker plain and simple. Assuming he's teamed up with Marian Gaborik, the Rangers will be very entertaining to watch. But Richards is 31 and coming off a head injury. He's definitely on the back nine of his career.

-The Rangers re-signed another former Penguins forward, Ruslan Fedotenko, to a one-year, $1.4 million contract. In 66 games last season, Fedotenko scored 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists).

-EN Says: This is a solid signing. Fedotenko is an ideal player for a John Tortorella-coached team and he's affordable at that price tag.

-The Flyers dealt forward Kris Versteeg (right) to the Panthers in exchange for a conditional second-round pick in either 2012 or 2013 and a third-round pick in 2012. Versteeg has one-year left on a contract with a 3.083 million salary cap hit.

-EN Says: Who knows what motivates the Flyers' management any more. They unload a decent top-six forward for draft picks.

-Philadelphia signed former Ducks defenseman Andreas Lilja to a one-year contract. Terms of the contract were not revealed. In 52 games last season, he scored seven points (one goal, six assists).

-EN Says: This is a depth signing. He won't be much more than a No. 5 or 6 defenseman with the Flyers.

-The Flyers signed restricted free agent forward Jake Voracek to a one-year contract worth $2.25 million. In 80 games last season, he scored 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists). His signing rights were acquired last week in a deal with Columbus.

-The Devils re-signed defenseman Andy Greene (right) to a four-year contract worth $12 million. Will have a cap hit of $3 million. In 82 games, he scored 23 points (four goals, 19 assists).

-EN Says: The Devils did right to bring back Greene. He's a perfect defenseman for the style they want to play. And he offers an underrated offensive game.

-Another former Penguin sticks with an Atlantic Division team. Former Penguins goaltender Johan Hedberg re-signed with the Devils for one year and $1.25 million. In 34 games last season, Hedberg went 15-12-2 with at 2.38 goals against average, .912 save percentage and two shutouts.

-EN Says: Assuming the money is right, Hedberg is an ideal back up for Martin Brodeur.

-The Islanders signed former Panthers forward Marty Reasoner (right) to a two-year contract worth $2.7 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.35 million. In 82 games last season, he scored 32 points (14 goals, 18 assists).

-EN Says: The Islanders have a lot of holes to fill, but Reasoner is a nice signing. And a ta decent price. He's an ideal No. 3 center who will draw match-ups against opponents' top centers. And he has some offense to his game.

-The Islanders signed forward Kirill Kabanov, a third-round pick in 2010, to a three-year entry-level contract.

Northeast Division

-The Sabres signed former Flyers forward Ville Leino to a six-year contract worth a total of $27 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $4.5 million. In 81 games last season, Leino scored 53 points (19 goals, 34 assists).

-EN Says: This is yet another bold move by the suddenly aggressive Sabres front office. It give a boost to the team's top-six forwards. Leino is a creative playmaker who will provide a boost to Buffalo's offense. Additionally, he a veteran of two runs at the Stanley Cup with Detroit and Philadelphia.

-The Bruins signed former Canadiens forward Benoit Pouliot (right) to a one-year contract worth a total of $1.1 million. In 79 games last season, Pouliot scored 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists).

-EN Says: The Bruins needed to find a replacement for top-six forwards Mark Recchi (retirement) and Michael Ryder (free agency). Pouliot has the skill set to be that, but he has never been to put it together during his career. Perhap the Bruins can find it in him. If not, it's a one-year contract they can move on from next summer.

-Boston re-signed forward Trent Whitfield  and goaltender Anton Khudobin to two year contract extensions. Terms were not released.

-The Canadiens signed former Avalanche goaltender Peter Budaj to a one-year deal worth $2.3 million. In 45 games last season, he had a 15-21-4 record with a 3.20 goals against average with a .908 save percentage.

-EN Says: Budaj is an ideal back who is capable of playing a heavy workload. This is an upgrade for the Canadiens over Alex Auld.

-“As soon as you set foot in the city, you can feel the excitement.” - Former Hurricanes forward Erik Cole (right) on joining the Canadiens.

-The Senators re-signed former goaltender Alex Auld, late of the Canadiens, to a one-year $1 million contract. In 16 games last season, Auld was 16-2-2 with 2.64 goals against average and .914 save percentage.

-EN Says: Auld is a decent back and at $1 million, he's not going to wreck Ottawa's salary cap.

-Ottawa re-signed forward Francis Lessard to a one-year two-way contract. In 24 games he failed to score a point and recorded 78 penalty minutes.

-The normally free-spending Maple Leafs were the only team which failed to sign anyone yesterday.

-Oddly enough, Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke spent the first day of free agency in Afghanistan with Canadian toops on a goodwill tour.

Southeast Division

-The Panthers went nuts yesterday. They signed former Lightning forward Sean Bergenheim (right) to a four-year contract worth $11 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $2.75 million. In 80 games, Bergenheim scored 29 points (14 goals, 15 assists).

-EN Says: This was one of several over-the-top deals given out by the Panthers yesterday. Granted, they had to spend some cash to get to the cap floor, but whats the sense in wasting money? Bergenheim is a solid third-liner who cashed in on a spectacular postseason which saw him score 11 points (nine goals, two assists) in 16 games. This is a a heavy price tag for an average player.

-Florida signed former Predators forward Marcel Goc (right) to a three-year contract worth a total of $5.1 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.7 million. In 51 games last season, Goc scored 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists).

-EN Says: Goc is an inconsistent No. 3 center. But in this lean market, he might as well be Bob Gainey.

-The Panthers signed former Blue Jackets forward Scottie Uphall to a four-year contract worth a total of $14 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $3.5 million. In 82 games last season, Uphsall scored 34 points (22 goals, 12 assists).

-EN Says: Upshall is a decent player who is probably better suited for duties on the third line. But he hit 22 goals in a year when the free agent market was barren. He cashed in but we have a hard time seeing him live up to his salary for the next four seasons. He has some scoring touch obviously and brings an agitating presence.

-Florida signed former Coyotes defenseman Nolan Yonkman to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. In 16 games last season, he recorded one assist.

-“This is by far the most we've done since I've been here. This is change that's been needed. It's going to be a brand new team, guys have a lot to prove. This is awesome to see. I want to be part of this process. I know things are going to change around here. These guys want to win. Man, it's exciting.'' - Panthers forward David Booth (right) on yesterday's signings.

-Despite giving out $67.6 million in multiple-year contracts, the Panthers are still $1.25 under the salary cap floor.

-The signing of goaltender Jose Theodore meant an end to Tomas Vokoun's time in Florida.

-The Hurricanes signed former Kings forward and ex-Penguin Alexei Ponikarovsky to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. In 61 games last season, he had 15 points (five goals, 10 assists).

-EN Says: The Hurricanes needed a replacement among its top-six forwards for Erik Cole. Ponikarovsky is a cheap option. The skill is there but as we all know in Pittsburgh, the heart might not be. He had some success under Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice when both were in Toronto. Perhaps he can find it again. Additionally, the Hurricanes seem to have a knack for finding top six forwards out of reclamation projects such as Cole, Sergei Samsonov and Jussi Jokinen.

-Carolina signed former Flyers goaltender Brian Boucher (right) to a two-year contract worth a total of $1.9 million. He will have a salary capt hit of $950,000.

-EN Says: Boucher is an ideal back up who will take some of the workload off starter Cam Ward who played in 74 games last season.

-The Hurricanes stuck with the former Penguins theme and signed forward Tim Brent, late of the Maple Leafs, to a one-year contract worth $525,000. In 79 games last season, Brent scored 20 points (eight goals, 20 assists).

-Carolina re-signed forward Jiri Tlusty to a one-year contract worth $525,000. In 57 games last season, he scored 12 points (six goals, six assists)

-The Lightning signed forward Brett Connolly, a first-round pick in 2010, to a three-year entry-level contract.

-Tampa Bay signed former Canadiens forward J.T. Wyman to a one-year two-way contract.

-The Capitals re-signed former forward and captain Jeff Halpern (right), late of the Canadiens, to a one-year contract worth $825,000. In 72 games last season, he scored 26 points (11 goals, 16 assists).

-EN Says: This is a solid depth signing for the Capitals. He brings some grit and hustle to a team which probably needs it.

-Winnipeg signed former Canucks forward Tanner Glass to a one-year contract worth $750,000. Glass appeared in 73 games last season and scored 10 points (three goals, seven assists).

-EN Says: Glass is an energy antagonizing type. The Jets didn't really have anyone in that role.

-The Jets signed former Red Wings defenseman Derek Meech to a one-year two-way contract.

Central Division

-The Blackhawks signed former Flyers forward Daniel Carcillo (right), a former Penguins prospect, to a one-year contract worth $775,000. In 57 games last season, Carcillo scored six points (four goals, two assists) and recorded 127 penalty minutes.

-EN Says: When Carcillo is reeled in, he can be an effective player who brings a mix of skill and abrasiveness. But for a player nicknamed "Car Bomb," Carcillo can become unhinged quite a bit.

-Chicago signed another former Flyer, defenseman Sean O'Donnell, to a one-year contract worth $850,000. In 81 games, he scored 18 points (one goal, 17 assists).

-This move, and the Blackhawks' others, certain beef up the team's toughness factor. O'Donnell is a steady, reliable but hardly spectacular depth defenseman. He's a stay-at-home type with a bit of an edge to his game.

-The Blackhawks signed former Sharks forward Jamal Mayers (right) to a one-year deal worth $550,000. In 78 games last season, he scored 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) and had 124 penalty minutes.

-EN Says: Another move which makes the team tougher. And at a pretty cheap price.

-Chicago re-signed former forward Brett McLean to a one-year two-way contract. He spent last season with Bern of the NLA in Switzerland.

-The Red Wings re-signed former Red Wings defenseman Mike Commodore to a one-year contract worth $1 million. In 20 games last season, Commdore scored six points (two goals, four assists).

-EN Says: The Red Wings have had success with bringing on other team's unwanted players and turning them into viable contributors. Commodore was pretty much run out of Columbus. He can be a No. 5 or 6 defenseman in Detroit who will make the team a little bit more physical in its own zone.

-Detroit re-signed unrestricted free agent forwards Patrick Eaves (three years, $3.6 million) and Drew Miller ($1.65 million). Eaves ($1.2 million cap hit) appeared in 63 games last season and scored 20 points (13 goals, seven assists). Miller ($825 million) appeared in 67 games and scored 18 points.

-The Blue Jackets signed former Predators goaltender Mark Dekanich (right) to a one-year contract worth $575,000.

-Columbus signed former Canucks goaltender Curtis Sanford to a one-year two-way contract. He spent last season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Canadiens' AHL affiliate.

-The Blue Jackets re-signed former defenseman Aaron Johnson to a one-year two-way contract. He spent last season with the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators' AHL affiliate.

-Columbus signed minor league forwards Andrew Joudrey and Nicholas Drazenovic to one-year two-way contracts.

-The Blue Jackets signed defenseman Dalton Prout, a sixth-round pick in 2010, to a three-year entry-level contract.

-St. Louis re-signed forward Matt D'Agostini (right) to a two-year contract worth $3.3 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.65 million. In 82 games last season D'Agostini scored 46 points (21 goals, 25 assists).

-EN Says: $1.65 is a good cap hit for a 20-goal guy in this market.

-The Blues signed former Avalanche goaltender Brian Elliott to a one-year two-way contract. In 55 games last season, Elliott had a 15-27-9 record with 3.34 goals against average and .893 save percentage.

-St. Louis also re-signed forward Adam Cracknell. Terms of the deal were not released. In 24 games last season, he had seven points (three goals, four assists).

Northwest Division

-The Avalanche signed former Maple Leafs goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere (right) to a two-year contract worth a total of $2.5 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.25 million. In 33 games last season, Giguere had an 11-11-4 record with a 2.87 goals against average and .900 save percentage.

-EN Says: With Semyon Varlamov expected to take over as a starter, Giguere is an ideal back up at this stage of his career. And at 32, he can offer guidance to the younger Varlamov, 23. Additionally, he has a Stanley Cup ring.

-Colorado signed former Blue Jackets defenseman Jan Hejda to a four-year deal worth a total of $13 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $3.25 million. In 77 games last season, he had 20 points (five goals, 15 assists).

-EN Says: Hejda is a pretty well-rounded defenseman but is somewhat limited in what he can provide in offensive production. He can play some major minutes and in all situations. He'll help improve Colorado's defense.

-The Avalanche signed former Wild forward Chuck Kobasew (right) to a two-year contract worth a total of $2.5 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.25 million. In 63 games last season, he had 16 points (nine goals, seven assists).

-EN Says: Kobasew is a three-time 20-goal scorer in the NHL. He has offensive talent but he just hasn't been able to find the net consistently in recent seasons. Perhaps playing on a team with a little bit more offensive skill than the Wild will spark him.

-The Flames signed restricted free agent defenseman Chris Butler to a two-year contract worth a total of $2.5 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.25 million. In 49 games last season with the Sabres, he scored nine points (two goals, seven assists).

-EN Says: Butler is a depth defenseman. He'll be a No 5 or 6 blue liner with the Flames.

-The Oilers signed former Coyotes forward Eric Belanger (right) to a three-year contract worth a total of $5.25 million. In 82 games last season, Belanger scored 40 points (13 goals, 27 assists).

-EN Says: This is a quality signing. Belanger is a perfect No. 3 center. He's strong defensively and is a qualify faceoffs specialist having one 55 percent of his draws last season. Additionally, he chipped in a pretty healthy amount of offense.

-Edmonton signed former Wild defenseman Cam Barker to a one-year deal for $2.5 million. In 52 games last season, he scored five points (one goal, four assists).

-EN Says: Barker still has some potential. As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2004 draft, he has the skill. But he's washed out twice in Chicago and Minnesota. The Oilers are taking a low-risk chance on him, but this is a high price tag for a player with little in the way of results.

-The Oilers signed former Panthers forward Darcy Hordichuk (right) to a one-year deal worth $825,000. In 64 games last season, Hordichuk scored five points (one goal, four assists) and recorded 76 penalty minutes.

-With the addition of Ben Eager, Hordichuk helps the Oilers get tougher. He's an enforcer who can offer some things on the forecheck.

-The Wild re-signed goaltender Josh Harding to a one-year deal worth $750,000. He missed all of 2010-11 due to a knee injury. In 2009-10, he appeared in 25 games, had an 9-12-0 record, 3.05 goals against average and .905 save percentage.

-EN Says: Harding is a solid back up if healthy. And he comes cheap.

-The Canucks re-signed defenseman Sami Salo to a one-year contract worth $2 million. In 27 games, he scored seven points (three goals, four assists).

-EN Says: When healthy, Salo is a legit top-four defenseman. He has great offensive ability and a cannon of a shot. But this guy finds way to get injured while sneezing.

-Vancouver signed former Capitals forward Marco Sturm (right) to a one-year, $2.25 million contract. In 35 games last season, sturm scored 16 points (five goals, 11 assists).

-EN Says: The Canucks have found away to bring in reclamation projects like Sturm and get something out of them. Guys like Raffi Torres and Mikael Samuelsson have been productive with Vancouver after struggling elsewhere. Sturm, a former 20-point threat, could re-discover hs scoring touch with the high-flying Canucks.

-The Canucks signed former Sabres forward Mark Mancari to a one-year deal worth $525,000. In 20 games last season, he had eight points (one goal, seven assists).

-EN Says: This is a "tweener" organizational depth signing.

-Vancouver signed former Coyotes forward Andrew Ebbett to a one-year deal worth $525,000. In 33 games last season, he had five points (two goals, three assists).

Pacific Division

-The Stars signed former Bruins forward Michael Ryder (right) to a two-year deal worth $7 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $3.5 million. In 79 games last season, Ryder scored 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists).

-EN Says: This is a move which gives a boost to a group of top-six forwards which will be losing Brad Richards. Ryder came through in the postseason by contributing 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 17 postseason games. He's familiar with Dallas center Mike Ribeiro who was a teammate in Montreal. If he can stay healthy, he definitely can pot 25-plus goals.

-Dallas signed former Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray to a one-year deal worth $1.65 million. Prior to spending all of 2010-11 in the AHL, Souray appeared in 37 games for the Oilers in 2009-10 and scored 13 points (four goals, nine assists).

-EN says: This is a move which has high-reward/low-risk potential. Souray has one of the most dangerous shots from the point in the league. He's an offensive force w hen he's playing right. But he fell out of love with Edmonton management which banished him and his big cap hit to the AHL last season. Presumably, he'll have something to prove next season in Dallas.

The Stars signed former Coyotes forward Vernon Fiddler (right) to a three-year contract worth a total of $5.4. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.8 million. In 71 games last season, he had 22 points (six goals, 16 assists).

-EN Says: This is an ideal player for a third-line role. Fiddler is a solid faceoff guy who will help out on the penalty kill.

-Dallas signed former Thrashers forward Radek Dvorak to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. In 66 games last season, he scored 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists).

-EN Says: We like this signing. Dvorak is a great shorthanded player and will contribute mostly from a third or even a second-line role. Coupled with Fiddler, he'll help boost a penalty kill which was one of the worse in the NHL last season.

-The Stars signed former Flames defenseman Adam Pardy (right) to a two-year contract worth a total of $4 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $2 million. A shoulder injury limited him to 30 games and seven points (one goal, six assists) last season.

-The Stars signed former Blackhawks forward Jake Dowell to a one-year deal worth $800,000. In 79 games last season, Dowell scored 20 points (five goals, 15 assists).

-The Ducks acquired defenseman Kurtis Foster from the Oilers in exchange for defenseman/"expert" Andy Sutton. In 74 games, Foster scored 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists). He has one-year left on a contract with $1.8 million. In 39 games last season, Sutton recorded four assists. He has one-year left on a contract with a $2.125 cap hit.

-EN Says: This is skill for tougness. The Ducks get a player with offensive ability and a solid shot while the Oilers pick up a big, nasty mauler on the blue line.

-The Coyotes signed former Lightning goaltender Mike Smith (right) to a two-year contract worth $4 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $2 million. In 22 games last season, Smith had a 13-6-1 record with a 2.90 goals against average, .890 save percentage and one shutout.

EN Says: After getting rid of Ilya Bryzgalov last month, the Coyotes needed to find a potential replacement as a starter. Smith was supposed to be the Lightning's goaltender in the future but injuries and the addition of Dwayne Roloson derailed those plans. Smith still has the talent to a No. 1 goaltender and now he has the chance.

-Phoenix signed former Capitals forward Boyd Gordon to a two-year contract worth a total of $2.65 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.325 million. In 60 games last season, he had a nine points (three goals, six assists).

-EN Says: After losing Eric Belanger to the Oilers, this is an adequate replacement. Gordon is an ideal No. 3 center who can take faceoffs as well. But he doesn't produce nearly as many points as Belanger.

-San Jose signed former Kings forward Michal Handzus (right) to a two-year contract worth $5 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $2.5 million. In 82 games, he had 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists).

-EN Says: Handzus is a large player who is strong defensively and will offer some offense. He's not all that aggressive physically however.

-The Sharks signed former Oilers defenseman Jim Vandermeer to a one-year deal worth $1 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1 million. In 62 games last season, Vandermeer had 14 points (two goals, 12 assists).

-EN Says: Vandermeer is a No. 6 or 7 defenseman with an edge.

Adams Division

-Former Penguins/Panthers/Thrashers defenseman Noah Welch and former Islanders forward Jesse Joensuu (right) have joined HV71 of the Elitserien in Sweden.

-Former Bruins/Blues goaltender Hannu Toivonen has joined Malmö of the Allsvenskan league in Sweden.

(Photos: Jagr-Post-Gazette archives; Richards, Versteeg, Halpern, Carcillo, Dekanich, Kobasew, Sturm and Ryder-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images; Greene, Pouliot, Handzus and Joensuu-Paul Bereswill/Getty Images; Reasoner and Goc-Jeff Gross/Getty Images; Cole-Jamie Sabau/Getty Images; Bergenheim-Justin K. Aller/Getty Images; Booth-Joel Auerbach/Getty Images; Boucher-Elsa/Getty Images; Mayers-Ezra Shaw/Getty Images; Eaves-John Grieshop/Getty Images; D'Agostini and Belanger-Christian Petersen/Getty Images; Giguere-Abelimages/Getty Images; Hordichuk and Pardy-Dale MacMillan/Getty Images; Fiddler-Dave Sandford/Getty Images; Smith-Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Comments (4)

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written by D Sanchez, July 02, 2011 - 02:23 PM

The more I see of these other signings, the more I love the job GMRS did in getting TK re-signed.

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written by Luiz Mello, July 02, 2011 - 02:49 PM

Say what you want about the Flyers, they are seldomly boring on trade deadline/free agency days. They don't appear to make any sense. Then again, I'm no expert.

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written by jameshutton, July 02, 2011 - 04:47 PM

Is it safe to label Noah Welch a bust yet?

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written by D Sanchez, July 02, 2011 - 07:47 PM

I wouldn't have minded seeing Carcillo back for some 4th line/enforcer duty. Not a heavyweight like Godard but he does have some skill. When his head isn't completely unscrewed, that is.

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