In my previous post, I took a poke at some of the early free-agent signings. Since then, of course, a lot more money has been thrown at the available talent. Unexpectedly, this summer's top free agent, Marian Hossa, passed on a long-term, big-money deal to take a run at the Cup -- on a one-year deal -- with the defending champion Red Wings.
Obviously, it's a great pickup for the Red Wings, who likely will be prohibitive favorites to repeat. It's not so bad for Hossa, either. He'll play with some great players on a great team. (He already was playing with some great players on a very good team, though.) The Wings' puck-possession game seems to be particularly attractive to Europeans -- or anyone with enough talent to be a part of it. I can remember talking to Devils forward Patrik Elias after a meeting with the Wings on Dec. 16, 2006. Clearly, he was impressed by the opposition.
"That's the way you're supposed to play," Elias commented about the Wings' style. After six games in the Stanley Cup finals against Detroit, Hossa might have been similarly impressed. And, he probably figured, "If I can't beat them, I should join them." He did just that.
We'll see how it works out. On paper, it's a perfect fit. But as you know, a lot of things can happen in an endless NHL season.
If you're wondering about the risk, don't. Hossa will have an insurance policy to protect against long-term injury. And if things don't work out in Detroit, I imagine there still will be a number of suitors lined up to speak with him about a long-term deal on July 1, 2009.
Here's my two cents on other free-agent pickups.
• Stars sign F Sean Avery (four years, $15.5M): Avery is a unique player (and person). We'll see how he'll fit in Dallas. In the short term, he should help. In the long term? Well, there hasn't really been a long term in Avery's career. Co-GM Brett Hull, who knew Avery before the deal, probably made this happen. To be continued …
• Senators sign F Jarkko Ruutu (three years, $3.9M): This pest is probably a bargain when you consider the difference in the price tag between him and Avery.
• Thrashers sign D Ron Hainsey (five years, $22.5M): This signing confirms one thing: Bad teams have to overpay to attract players.
• Penguins re-sign D Brooks Orpik (six years, $22.5M): I like this deal for both sides. Orpik gets term, and the team gets a little price break. Just think, he's making the same annual salary as Mike Commodore.
• Islanders sign C Doug Weight (one year, $1.75M): Last stop, Long Island! Weight will finish a stellar career with old pal Bill Guerin.
• Blue Jackets sign F Kristian Huselius (four years, $19M): The Flames got a lot out of this skilled, but soft, winger. Is there anything left for Ken Hitchcock? At that price, the Jackets had better hope the answer is yes.
• Penguins sign Fs Miroslav Satan (one year, $3.5M) and Ruslan Fedotenko (one year, $2.5M): GM Ray Shero takes a Petr Sykora-type flier on a pair of struggling wingers as "replacements" for the departed Hossa and Ryan Malone. The short term makes it a worthwhile gamble. But if they don't respond to time with Sid and Geno, they'll be gone in the spring.
• Canadiens sign F Georges Laraque (three years, $4.5M): The bruising Montreal native comes home. And gets a great deal. That seems like a lot of term and dollars for Laraque. But, hey, I'm not gonna question big Georgie.
• Rangers sign LW Markus Naslund (two years, $8M) and D Dmitri Kalinin (one year, $2.1M): GM Glen Sather continues the restructuring with these additions. Slats is gambling that Naslund will regain his offensive touch alongside C Scott Gomez. The term and dollars are reasonable. At one year, Kalinin is a good pickup. If he doesn't fit, the club can discard him at season's end. Kalinin's arrival buys another year of development time for defensive prospects such as Bobby Sanguinetti.
• Sharks sign D Rob Blake (one year, $5M): Hey Rob, welcome back to the NHL!
• Penguins sign C Matt Cooke (two years, $2.4M): This pest replaces departed pest Ruutu. It makes sense, I guess.
• Wild sign F Owen Nolan (two years, $5.5M): There are a lot of miles and a lot of scars on this 36-year-old dude. He played well in Calgary last year, though. Still, I wouldn't have given him more than a one-year deal.
• Flames sign F Todd Bertuzzi (one year, $1.95M): Although there's not much risk in this one-year deal, I don't think this guy helps you win. And that's supposed to be the point, right?
• Hurricanes sign D Josef Melichar (one year, $1M): I know that no one is talking about this signing, but I think it was a nice value move for the Hurricanes.
