Live from July 1 -- free agent frenzy
Greetings from One News Plaza, where the Subway BMT and the Crystal Beach loganberry are standing by. (The whiskey will come after the shift, I'm sure.) It's not even noon yet, the official start of free agency, and likely the biggest signing of the day is already in.
The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin. The identical brothers have received matching five-year contracts, worth $6.1 million season.
"Daniel and Henrik Sedin are this club's offensive leaders and players we want to build around," General Manager Mike Gillis said in a statement. "Their level of performance in every area of the game is exceptional. Both Daniel and Henrik are committed to winning, and we want them to succeed as Vancouver Canucks."
And with that, let the madness begin!
12:01 p.m.: The free agent game is officially on. Just got word that former Sabres coach Ted Nolan will be named the VP of hockey operations for the Rochester Amerks.
12:11 p.m.: TSN is reporting that Dwayne Roloson, who like nearly all Sabres backup goaltenders was much better everywhere else, will test the market. That leaves Edmonton needing a goalie, and Martin Biron would look good for the Oil. Thing is, not sure his mouth could keep chatting with the minus-20 degree weather.
Which brings us to Dany Heatley. I understand when you sign a contact with a no-trade clause, you have certain rights. But when you ask to be traded, those rights should disappear. The high-scoring whiner was getting traded to Edmonton from Ottawa, but apparently he'd rather go to New York. Who wouldn't? Fact is, you ask to get traded, the team trades you ... you should go.
12:21 p.m.: Sportsnet.ca is reporting that defenseman Mattias Ohlund has signed a seven-year, $22 million deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning strikes often in the summer, but the winter is a different story.
With these early deals, though, it seems the woes brought on by long-term contracts aren't keeping teams from handing them out.
12:32 p.m.: I'm absolutely shocked no one has swooped in to snatch up Maxim Afinogenov yet. I mean, really, how you not want 98 turnovers and two goals on your team? There's a good chance he'll be skating his enigmatic self to Russia's KHL.
12:35 p.m.: A little more on Ohlund, a 12-year vet who's been playing in Vancouver his whole career. He's 32. Even with my shoddy math, it stands to reason he'll be 39 when the seven-year deal ends. Granted, TSN is saying that $22 million of the now $26.25 million deal will come in the first five years, but still -- why give a 32-year-old a seven-year deal?
But that's why July 1 is such a treat.
12:45 p.m.: Florida re-signs winger Radek Dvorak to a two-year deal, according to TSN. Here's a chance to say to goodbye to the Panthers' Richard Zednik, who signed to play in Russia. As long as the Sabres don't host any KHL teams, he should be OK health-wise. A skate to the throat, a puck to the head ... yeah, I'd go to Russia, too.
Well, maybe not Russia. Venice would be nice. Or Rome. Or anyplace with a beach and good margaritas.
1:01 p.m.: Well, quiet thus far. But (wink, wink) teams couldn't start negotiating with players until the clock struck noon. Yes, no agent chatted with any GM before the last hour. OK, and I'm not wishing I had brought that whiskey into the office, either.
1:03 p.m.: By the way, feel free to open another browser and check out Jerry Sullivan's live chat. He's breaking out in laughter -- just like Bucky Gleason does when he talks of Sully's golf game -- so there must be some good comments over there. Oh, and now he just swore. Good stuff.
The over-under on the number of profanities by me and Sully this afternoon is 4,532. None on the board here, of course.
1:09 p.m.: Sportsnet is saying Montreal is close to keeping Alex Kovalev for two years in the $9 million range. They've got cash to spend and stalls to fill, as our story today stated.
1:14 p.m.: We have our first Northeast Division move, and it's fitting. Battlin' Brian Burke signs tough guy Colton Orr from the Rangers for four years and $1 million per year, according to TSN. Burke's widely-known team-building philosophy: Two forward lines that can score, two lines that make you fear for your life.
And as far as Venice, I did mean Italy. But I said OR anyplace with a beach. I love being on the water. Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller also does and photographs lake scenes often. He said it's because of our astrological Cancer sign, which is a crab. His birthday is July 17, and mine is July 9 -- just in case you wanted to buy either of us a present.
1:22 p.m.: I was too busy expanding on my sign to expand on the Orr signing -- it's with Toronto.
1:24 p.m.: Kovalev's agent going full bore on all the national outlets saying Kovalev has not agreed to anything with Montreal yet.
1:26 p.m.: And before anyone gets any ideas, Ryan Miller and I have never been on a beach together, nor will we be. But if there's any single ladies out there ...
1:41 p.m.: Sportsnet reporting a second Maple Leafs move: Defenseman Pavel Kubina and his $5 million salary are on their way to Atlanta. More details to come.
1:49 p.m.: First goaltender moves as Craig Anderson, who shined in Florida, signs a two-year deal with Colorado. Goalies started moving quickly last year, so maybe Marty Biron will be getting a home soon.
1:57 p.m.: Florida keeps winger David Booth for six years and $25.5 million. That length makes a lot more sense since he's only 24.
2:01 p.m.: ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, as respected as they come, is reporting that Chicago has signed the biggest fish on the market: Marian Hossa. Details to come, but LeBrun is saying it's for 12 years!
2:02 p.m.: I have no idea what Chicago is doing. They have Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Jack Skille as their prime restricted free agents after the season, and rookie of the year candidate Kris Versteeg is an RFA now. They need money to keep the guys that have re-energized the moribund fan base, yet they go wild with Hossa. People are already complaining there that Brian Campbell's deal is too long and too much.
Sure, Hossa is a star, but they already have stars who play well together. Head scratcher for sure, but if they manage to keep everyone this year and win the Stanley Cup ...
2:08 p.m.: Hossa, by the way, is 30 years old. Yup, I can see him tearing up the league at age 42. Come on.
2:10 p.m.: Reports have Hossa's deal at 12 years at $5.2 million per season. That's $2 million less than he made this year in Detroit, but all hockey contracts are guaranteed, so in 12 years he'll still be counting against the cap and getting paid -- unless he likely gets bought out down the road. But if that's the Blackhawks' plan, don't sign him for that long!
2:13 p.m.: The next goalie to go has a local connection, but it's not Marty. It's Ty Conklin, who TSN says has signed with the St. Louis Blues for two years and $1.3 million per year. Place your bets on the Blues to make the Cup finals. Conklin's last two teams (Pittsburgh and Detroit) did. The Sabres, of course, did not when he played for them.
2:19 p.m.: TSN saying that $53 million of the Hossa deal is in the first seven years. I understand that adding years at lower prices lowers the cap hit. But that's mortgaging the future for now, and I think there's a company (and country) or two that has found trouble doing that.
2:24 p.m.: TSN (which, by the way, is being simulcast on the NHL Network) says another goalie with Sabres ties has signed. And, again, it's not Marty. The Islanders have signed Roloson for two years. And, yes, the Isles still have oft-injured Rick DiPietro signed to play goal for at least seven more years.
2:27 p.m.: Two e-mail issues. 1) You can buy out a player's contract at two-thirds the cost of the remaining dollars. 2) Someone told me their birthday is July 18, and they also love water. Gotta be something to that Cancer thing.
2:34 p.m.: BREAKING BUFFALO SABRES NEWS: Sabres sign defenseman Steve Montador to a two-year deal. The 6-foot, 211-pound blue-liner was traded from Anaheim to Boston and finished season with four goals, 17 assists and a plus-17 rating with 143 penalty minutes.
Here's the tough guy's fight card.
2:45 p.m.: The Montador deal is worth $3.1 million. Solid price for the Sabres.
2:54 p.m.: Two quick updates as I try to get ahold of Montador. The Rangers replace Orr by signing Donald Brashear. Also, longtime Philadelphia Flyer Mike Knuble goes to Washington on a two-year deal at $2.8 per season, according to TSN.
3:15 p.m.: Talked with Steve Kasper, the former Bruins player who is Montador's agent, and here is the link to that.
3:22 p.m.: Scott Niedermayer stays in Anaheim on a one-year deal for $6 million.
3:29 p.m.: Just got off the phone with Montador and going to take a few minutes to transcribe the quotes, but he's excited to be coming to Buffalo. He grew up in the Toronto area and was sold on the Sabres today when both Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff called him shortly after noon to pitch the team to him.
3:33 p.m.: Just got a message from a source saying wait until I see the dollars Jaroslav Spacek gets. It was termed "outrageous." It won't be from Buffalo, obviously.
3:44 p.m.: The Boston Globe has just backed what my source said, reporting that Spacek has signed with the Montreal Canadiens for three years and $11.5 million. That's a nice contract for the 35-year-old, who signed with the Sabres for three years and $10 million. Spacek's instantly recognizable voice and wit will be missed in the dressing room.
3:57 p.m.: A couple of Montador quotes have been added to the other post.
4:07 p.m.: Another goalie not named Martin Biron is off the market. The Edmonton Oilers sign Nikolai Khabibulin to replace Roloson.
4:13 p.m.: I can't think of too many teams needing a starting goalie anymore. Atlanta maybe for Marty?
4:15 p.m.: Darcy Regier is scheduled to talk in HSBC Arena in a half-hour. If anyone wants to stand on the corner of Scott and Washington streets with either A) a Budweiser or B) two Budweisers, I'd appreciate it during my block-long walk from The News.
4:19 p.m.: I guess I should add I'll be walking by at about 4:35 ...
4:31 p.m.: OK, heading over to the arena in a minute. If you have the "sodas" and aren't sure what I look like, I've got a striped shirt, jeans and old-school Nikes on. I'm also on the left in this picture, but my body is a little bigger in real life. Quality illustration by Zak, though.
Stay tuned, though, as I'll be back soon.
4:33 p.m.: But before I go, yet another goalie goes not named Marty Biron. The Panthers sign Scott Clemmenson. Marty is too good to not have a job.
5:07 p.m.: I'm back from the arena. There was actually someone standing on the corner of Scott and Washington! Alas, he was waiting for a bus and not waiting to hand me a Budweiser. And after a hellacious night Tuesday, one I'd like to forget, I really could have used one. Oh well.
5:10 p.m.: Regier, meanwhile, was pleased with the Montador signing. He said he knew Tuesday that Spacek would be offered a longer-term deal than the Sabres were prepared to give, so he set about finding a replacement. Montador was the one.
Reiger, like me, finds it hard to believe so many teams continue to hand out long-term deals, but he sees it as twofold: 1) teams won't learn until it happens to them; and 2) big-market teams have money to burn by buying players out or sending them to the minors to clear cap space. The Sabres will never be in that practice.
He also expects Chris Butler to supply the offense that has left with Spacek.
5:13 p.m.: So while I was gone, the biggest deals it seems were Montreal adding another piece to its defense, getting Hal Gill for two years and $4.5 million, and Carolina keeping Erik Cole for two years and $2.8 million.
Oh, just found another one. Ian Laperierre, who fits the "compete" mold the Sabres are seeking, agreed to go to the Flyers for three years and $3.5 million. Flyers are going to be tough to play against with Lappy, Chris Pronger and Dan Carcillo, not to mention their skill players.
5:18 p.m.: Sportsnet is reporting Montreal isn't done and is close to getting Michael Cammalleri. That'd be a big addition.
5:27 p.m.: TSN reports that Leafs complete Kubina trade and clear cap space by taking back Garnet Exelby. Leafs get tougher player, less offense and money to spend.
5:37 p.m.: Montreal deal for Cammalleri confirmed at five years, $30 million. The Habs had money, they had space, and they found ways to get rid of both.
Regier, meanwhile, was going back upstairs to make more calls, he said.
5:56 p.m.: Battlin' Brian Burke continues to add toughness, and this time it means the Sabres will continue to face Mike Komisarek six times a year. TSN says Komisarek is heading to the Centre of the Hockey Universe from Montreal. I had a poll last year and a lot of Sabres said Zdeno Chara is their least-favorite player to get hit by, but Komisarek just scares me. He looks like there's a kindness filter missing when he's on the ice. Which is how it's supposed to be for defensive defensemen.
6:02 p.m.: And this year's Overinflated Contract goes to ... Komisarek. Although he's exactly what I described -- scary tough -- he records only slightly more points than me. Yet he is getting $4.5 million per year, according to TSN. Way to much for one-dimensional players.
6:05 p.m.: Well, I think that will do it for the live blogging for today. Still have to write my stories for Thursday's paper and will be in the office for a while, so I'll: A) start new posts if something breaks; and B) keep an eye out for any of you delivering beer or whiskey.
As always, thanks for reading.
---John Vogl
Marty Biron is so good, even the Flyers let him walk.
Hal Gill is a pylon-good to see Montreal overpaid him.
Still awaiting the announcement of the Corkum signing.
Posted by: World Be Free | July 06, 2009 at 06:03 AM
Darcy and Larry have a wake up call for July 15.
Posted by: World Be Free | July 02, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Vogl, you drink Budweiser? And you let us know that? In Buffalo? Where you can get any good Canadian beer you want?
Budweiser? Really? Wow.
Posted by: Joe the Plumber | July 01, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Cammalleri to MTL, 5y/6M. Oh well.
Posted by: goal10der44 | July 01, 2009 at 05:45 PM
Spacek put up career highs last season at 34. I don't see him coming even close to those numbers again. Rivet and Lydman were both good on the pp last season. I imagine you'll see one of them, or Sekera at the other point. They won't match Specek's production last year, but neither will Spacek.
No one likes to talk about rebuilding, but this team really needs to let their young defensemen play and develop. I like what Montador adds, and it helps put them in better position next summer, when they start shedding more contracts.
Posted by: Jeff | July 01, 2009 at 05:43 PM
Habs picked up a HUGE D-man from the Pens.
Hal Gill 6 feet 7 inches, 250 pounds.
Posted by: Sarah | July 01, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Jeff, I know Connolly's the PP guy but Spacek's 22 PP points was far and away the best among the defensemen. Who provides scoring from the blueline? I think Montreal overpaid, and I like Montador at the price, but it does leave the Sabres with a lack of scoring from the D.
Posted by: Dan | July 01, 2009 at 05:06 PM
ouch.
Posted by: goal10der44 | July 01, 2009 at 04:47 PM
I would love to see Marty back in Buffalo. Do you think that the market is finally telling him that he is a career back up, not a starter? Edmonton appears to have upgraded their goaltending (drat!) Will Khabibulin signing there convince Heatley to go to a team that actually wants him? He and Craig MacTavish could open a driving school in the off season.
Posted by: CalgarySabre2 | July 01, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Marty may not have a choice... but to be a backup again. Or go to Russia.
Posted by: Will, Buffalo | July 01, 2009 at 04:23 PM
Marty should come home. He was the only backup that Lindy had confidence in and actually played regularly enough so Ryan was not played into the ground each year. The only problem is Marty WANTING to be a backup.
Posted by: Sarah | July 01, 2009 at 04:21 PM
Poor Biron.... Will anyone take him as a starter?
Posted by: Will, Buffalo | July 01, 2009 at 04:13 PM
Spacek was never the QB of the Sabre's power play. That's Connolly's role.
He'll be missed this year, but that contract isn't going to look good in 2-3 years. Montador for less than half the price is a nice deal.
Posted by: Jeff | July 01, 2009 at 04:10 PM
I like that Spacho signed in MTL for that deal. He has only ever been decent in contract years.
I still can't believe he got 3 years. WOW!
Montreal is getting worse.
Posted by: Kent | July 01, 2009 at 04:06 PM
well, Jaro was not awesome but he might have been our best defenseman last year... a stand-up guy too, always available after the losses. too bad we could not keep him and ditch Tallinder or Lydman instead. have to hope they can at least halt the decline, even if they don't get better.
Posted by: J.A.K.e | July 01, 2009 at 03:55 PM
Are the Canandiens trying to help other teams out? First Gomez, now overpaying for Spacek. They must think they're going to lose a bunch of their UFAs.
Posted by: George | July 01, 2009 at 03:53 PM
A few things from Calgary: 1) When they announced the J-Bo signing, the phone lines to the Flames FanAttic stores were jammed with folks ordering jerseys. Around here they are saying "half of Canada's Olympic team defence is on this team now (Regehr; Phaneuf; J-Bo.) 2) I like the Montador signing. The year that the Flames went to the finals he came in and played very solid defence. 3) Flames' fan chant from that same year: "Matthias Ohlund minus four; the more he plays, the more we score." 4) The Hawks are nuts. How are they going to sign a goalie, never mind keep their young stars? And who, other than Chris Chelios, is a kid at age 42? 5) Heatley looks worse every day "Trade me, but I won't waive my no-trade contract." And if he does NOT waive it, how do the Oilers look to the guys who now know they were on the block? The Oilers have messed the whole day up - not giving Roloson 2 years to get a deal done? (Not that we think the Oilers messing up is a bad thing in Calgary).
Posted by: CalgarySabre2 | July 01, 2009 at 03:45 PM
Good to see Lindy and Darcy making the pitch - let's me know this isn't one of Darcy's players and is someone Lindy wanted around.
Posted by: Brian | July 01, 2009 at 03:40 PM
Montador will be worth every modorate dollar he was given if he can help prevent opposition from taking liberties with Ryan Miller.
Posted by: roadtrip | July 01, 2009 at 03:40 PM
that might fall to Sekera
Posted by: greg | July 01, 2009 at 03:37 PM
Like the Montador signing for the toughness he brings, and he did have a good +/- on a very good Boston team last year (which may have hid some flaws). But if signing Montador indicates that Spacek's gone, who runs the PP next year?
Posted by: Dan | July 01, 2009 at 03:33 PM
I would welcome Cammalleri to the Sabes, although he's probbaly going to go for more than Darcy is willing to pay.
Posted by: DC Sabres Fan | July 01, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Cammalleri would be huge in Buffalo. Or we could re-sign Max? Just kidding.
Another thing the Montador signing signifies is that Spacek has skated his last time as a Sabre.
Posted by: greg | July 01, 2009 at 03:28 PM
I am genuinely shocked Darcy did something. Good for him, it was a worthwhile move and one that should pay immediately dividends in the sandpaper department.
We shouldn't be greedy, but is it too much to ask to sign Chad LaRose?
Posted by: Beavis | July 01, 2009 at 03:25 PM
DC, wouldn't Cammalleri look good in blue and gold for the next 3-5 years?
Posted by: goal10der44 | July 01, 2009 at 03:19 PM
Now we need another real scoring threat.
Posted by: DC Sabres Fan | July 01, 2009 at 03:14 PM
well put Sean.
Posted by: greg | July 01, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Good signing to fill out the D core. He's a solid player, and tough as well, which is what really helps us. With him and Rivet now, that adds some muscle to the backend that we've been sorely lacking. Short and cheap deal, too. Kudos, Darcy. I don't need any homeruns...just hit a few more singles and doubles. I like the emphasis on grit and toughness! Finally they get it.
Posted by: Sean | July 01, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Knuble to the caps fo 2.8
Posted by: Sabreman | July 01, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Hello Steve Montador ... Goodbye Andrew Peters ...
Posted by: Dan | July 01, 2009 at 02:52 PM
Montador is a solid defenseman. Good signing.
Posted by: SabresFan in DC | July 01, 2009 at 02:51 PM
TSN says 1.55 per for 2 years for Montador.
Posted by: greg | July 01, 2009 at 02:49 PM
TSN says $1.55/year. I can live with that.
Posted by: DC Sabres Fan | July 01, 2009 at 02:45 PM
I like this move for the toughness factor clearly. How much???
Posted by: DC Sabres Fan | July 01, 2009 at 02:43 PM
OH MY GOD. WE MADE A MOVE! TRADES HUH?
Posted by: greg | July 01, 2009 at 02:39 PM
I'm hearing that the Sabres have signed Steve Montador to a 2-year deal.
Posted by: Sluglord | July 01, 2009 at 02:36 PM
i think it's around 2/3 of the money for a buyout... so 6 million or so. meaning it would be 59 million for 7 years, or a little over 8. not THAT crazy really, Vanek gets 7.
Posted by: J.A.K.e | July 01, 2009 at 02:33 PM
I am absolutely shocked the people on this msg board are here right now and not manning their war rooms in their respective NHL executive offices. You people have such expert insight. How are you all not at least Asst. GMs somewhere?
Posted by: greg | July 01, 2009 at 02:22 PM
John,
How does the buyout clause work? According to TSN Hossa makes $53M in the first 7 years and only $9M over the last 5. How much would they have to pay Hossa to buy him out after 7 years?
Posted by: soupy | July 01, 2009 at 02:21 PM
I know this is a foreign concept to us here in Bufalo, but Hossa to the Blackhawks was likely done by developing a creative contract that spreads money out over a longer contract to reduce the impact on the team's yearly salary cap.
Novel idea, I know.
Posted by: Beavis | July 01, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Why do I get the sense that even if Buffalo wanted to sign someone today, it still wouldn't work?
I can imagine players receiving an offer from the Sabres and then desperately trying to drum up interest elsewhere in order to avoid playing here.
Either that or players' agents simply have a blanket answer to the Sabres front-office: Your money is no good here.
Posted by: Brian | July 01, 2009 at 02:10 PM
Hossa to Hawks? Thought they were up against the salary cap?
Posted by: soupy | July 01, 2009 at 01:51 PM
I imagine Orr and Kaleta would have gotten along famously in the dressing room.
Posted by: greg | July 01, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Very quiet. Low ball someone Darcy. Oh, you have done that to every free agent already and they hung all hung up on you!
Posted by: soupy | July 01, 2009 at 01:39 PM
I agree with Greg. Buffalo could use a proven enforcer like Orr. He'll pound anyone who runs his goalie, no question.
Posted by: SabresFan in DC | July 01, 2009 at 01:37 PM
There are beaches in Venice Italy - great ones. Its called the Lido.
Posted by: Venezia | July 01, 2009 at 01:30 PM
What's with "Chris" Gomez being listed on the Free Agent / Trade tracker? A bit of a slip there?
Posted by: Mike | July 01, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Vogl - You're already drunk aren't you? Pour me three fingers of whiskey, you bum! We gotta celebrate my marquee signing!
Posted by: Brian Burke | July 01, 2009 at 01:24 PM
I would have liked Orr in Buffalo.
Posted by: greg | July 01, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Tell Bucky to buy you a birthday drink on me next time you are out.
Posted by: Soupy | July 01, 2009 at 01:23 PM