Summer Days

Sorry for the lack of posts and updates. It's been painfully slow these days...but ill be back with some new articles in the last week of July.

Just got news that the top talent in the 2010 UFA pool has signed a contract. LW Ilya Kovalchuk has re-signed with the New Jersey Devils at a staggering 17 year contract worth $107 million. It's a big contract, but Kovalchuk is an elite talent with unprecidented scoring ability. More to come.
***update*** the NHL has turned down this deal, saying that the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk were dancing around the collective bargaining agreement. Since the NHL turned down the deal, the NHLPA is now filing a grievance.

Also, the Philadelphia Flyers have traded scoring winger, Simon Gagne to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In return the Flyers recieve defenseman, Matt Walker and a 2011 fourth round draft pick. The Flyers needed to clear cap space, and now the Lightning are that much stronger up front. A good deal for both teams.

Free Agent Signings

Powerplay specialist, Sergei Gonchar has left the Pittsburgh Penguins and headed north to Ottawa. Gonchar had 11 goals and 39 assists for the Penguins last year and will add some much needed offense to the Ottawa Senators powerplay. TSN is reporting that the deal is for three years, at $5.5 million per season.

- The Tampa Bay Lightning have traded defenseman, Andrej Meszaros to the Philadelphia Flyers for a second round draft pick.

- Defenseman, Braydon Coburn has signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers at $3.2 million per season.

The New York Rangers have acquired a solid backup for goalie, Henrik Lundqvist, by signing Martin Biron to a two year deal worth $875,000 per season. Biron is leaving the New York Islanders after having a decent season sharing goaltending duties with Dwayne Roloson.

- La Presse in Montreal is reporting that the Calgary Flames are bringing back forward Alex Tanguay. Terms of the deal are one year at $1.7 million.

Defenseman Zbynek Michalek has signed a long-term deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins following the departure of Sergei Gonchar. The deal is rumored to be 5 years and $20 million. Zbynek Michalek is a very good defenseman, that has flown under the radar playing in Phoenix. In my opinion, this is a fantastic signing for the Pittsburgh Penguins going forward.

- The Montreal Canadiens have signed a goalie to serve as backup to Carey Price. Alex Auld has signed a one year deal worth $1 million dollars with the Habs. This is a clear indication that goalie Dan Ellis was unwilling to sign a deal with Montreal.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed another forward. Rugged winger, Colby Armstrong has signed a three year deal, worth $3 million per season. Armstrong has the ability to score 15-20 goals, but his toughness and work ethic are other attributes that the Leafs covet.

- The San Jose Sharks have officially moved on from Evgeni Nabokov by signing unrestricted free agent goalie, Antero Nittymaki to a two year, $4 million deal.

- Veteran defenseman, Sean O'Donnell has signed a one year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. The terms of the deal have not been finalized, but should be under, or around, $1 million.

Manny Malhotra has signed a lucrative, long-term deal with the Vancouver Canucks. The deal comes with a three year term and $7.5 million. The deal averages $2.5 million per season. With this signing, Vancouver is now relatively strong up the middle, and may still be looking to add Dan Hamhuis.

- Derek Morris has re-signed with the Phoenix Coyotes. According to TSN, the deal is for four years at $11 million. This averages out to $2.75 million per season.

- The Tampa Bay Lightning have found their goalie. Bolts GM, Steve Yzerman has signed Dan Ellis to a two-year deal worth $3 million. The deal works out to $1.5 million per season. An affordable signing for the Bolts, in adding some stability in goal.

- The New York Rangers signed well known enforcer, Derek Boogaard to a four year, $6.5 million contract today. Boogaard is well known for his fighting ability, but I can not believe how much they are paying him. This deal averages $1.625 million per year and makes Colton Orr's deal in Toronto look like a deal.

The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to shore up their defense, by signing another prized free agent in, Paul Martin. I have always been a fan of Paul Martin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will be vastly improved after today's signings on the back end. The deal is five years at $5 million per season. However, with signing Michalek and Martin to lucrative, long-term deals, it will make it that much more difficult for the Penguins to add quality wingers for Crosby, Malkin, and Staal. This might point to more moves from Pittsburgh this offseason.

- Defensemen are in high demand today, as another one was snapped up off the UFA market. This time by the Anaheim Ducks. They have signed veteran, Toni Lydman to a three year, $3 million contract. This leaves a big hole on the Buffalo Sabres blue line.

- Veteran goal scorer, Ray Whitney has signed a two year contract in the desert with the Phoenix Coyotes. Terms of the deal will pay Whitney an average of $3 million a season, for $6 million over two years.

Since losing defenseman Paul Martin to the Penguins, Devils GM, Lou Lamoreillo knew he would have to sign someone to take his place. The New Jersey Devils have done just that by signing a pair of solid defensemen in Henrik Tallinder and Anton Volchenkov. Tallinder signed a four year deal worth $13.5 million, while Volchenkov came in at a bit higher with a six year deal worth $25.5 million. There will be more questions about the defense in Buffalo with having lost both Lydman and Tallinder on defense.

- Defenseman, Kurtis Foster has signed a deal with the Edmonton Oilers today, earning a two year, $3.6 million contract. This is a solid young blueliner that will help Edmonton during its rebuild.

- The Atlanta Thrashers solidified their goaltending situation, by signing free agent Chris Mason. TSN reports that the deal comes in a two years and $3.7 million. Mason has had a couple of solid years playing with the St. Louis Blues, but was pushed out when the Blues acquired Jaroslav Halak.

In a shocking turn of events, the Calgary Flames have brought back centre, Olli Jokinen. I can't get my head wrapped around this move by the Flames. Today they have brought back two forwards who had limited success with the Flames, and who have had trouble adjusting to other teams as well. The deal is for two years and $3 million per season. This has panic written all over it.

- The Vancouver Canucks have now made their splash on free-agent day, by signing defenseman, Dan Hamhuis to a $27 million deal over six seasons. Hamhuis instantly makes the Canucks better on the back end. He will play big minutes against opposing teams top lines. Cap wise, this is a decent deal for the Canucks. They get a great defenseman and a decent cap hit.