So now that the Devils have signed Ilya Kovalchuk to a reported 17-year contract that has to rank as the most absurd in NHL history, non-Rick DiPietro division, it looks like that will spring open the free agent and trade market.
The first domino fell just over an hour later as the Flyers have dealt winger Simon Gagne and his $5.25 million contract to Tampa Bay. The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting defenseman Matt Walker and a fourth-round pick are going back to Philly, although CBC says goaltender Mike Smith might be involved in the deal too.
You wonder what this means for players like Tomas Kaberle, for teams with some money to spend (like the one at One Seymour Knox Plaza) or for the group of clubs under the salary cap floor. Things have been awfully quiet in the NHL for the last 10 days. That won't be the case this week.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
tagged
NHL | NHL free agency | Sabres
