NHL Free Agency: Open Thread

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 10:31 AM EDT Comment 27 comments

It's likely that the Sabres will do absolutely nothing on the first day of free agency but that doesn't mean that it's not the most entertaining day in hockey. This will be the place for Sabres fans to talk about the free agents that are signed by all the teams.

The Sabres may not do anything but we may see some of the Sabres free agents snagged by other teams. Today cold be the end of the Jaro Spacek era in Buffalo. There are a few tings that I am interested to see as the day plays out.

Will Jaroslav Spacek get a contract from another team?
Will there be any interest in Max Afinogenov?
Where will Ales Kotalik be playing next season?
Will the Sabres be involved in any signings?

I had planned a what the Northeast Division looks like now post this morning but decided to scrap it after selfish Dany Heatley decided not to waive his no-trade clause. Is there an team that really wants Heatley now? I would say no but I bet there is someone dumb enough to take him. There is still the Gomez to the Habs trade to talk about. We'll wait till tomorrow.

TSN.ca has a nifty free agent tracker to follow all the players that are signed throughout the day and throughout all of free agency.

I fully expect that Twitter will be important for breaking news today as well. If you don't already follow Die by the Blade please follow us now.

This post will be updated with any breaking news after the jump.

Here is a link to a spreadsheet that I plan to update as the signings are made. I took the information from this site.

{Update 11:43 am} The first signing of the day apears to be done. TSN.ca is reporting that the Sedin's have re-signed with the Vancouver Canucks for five years and $30.5 million. This signing changes the strategy of some teams as free agency begins in about 17 minutes.

{Update 1:03 pm} Mattias Ohlund signs with the Tampa Bay Lightning for 7 years and $24.5 million.

{Update 1:48 pm} David Booth Re-signs with the Florida Panthers 6 years and $25 million.

{Update 2:10 pm} Marian Hossa signs with the Chicago Blackhawks 12 years for $62.4 million.

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Comments

Some News

…from a reputable source. Kevin Allen this morning said that he expects the Sabres to “poke around” with Erik Cole and Brian Gionta.

I like Gionta. I don’t like Cole.

What’s 20 goals, 40 assists worth now? 3.5 – 4 million? Too much I suppose.

Vance
BanginPanger.com
DoubleEdgedSabres.com

by BanginPanger on Jul 1, 2009 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I seen that this morning. If the price is right I would take either player. Cole is definitely not the same since his broken neck but he still plays with aggression. Gionta would bring more offense than Cole would.

I agree that they would have interest but I think the price tag will be too high on both players.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Khabibulin

I have heard reports that Khabibulin has re-signed with Chicago but it’s not confirmed yet.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mattias Ohlund to Tampa?

could be the first actual free agent signing of the day.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ohlund's 32...

As wise as this move will be to tutor young Hedman, even Meszaros, he’ll be 40 when his contract runs out. $3.75 million is a good price, but that length is plain egregious.

Vance
BanginPanger.com
DoubleEdgedSabres.com

by BanginPanger on Jul 1, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thik they may have set it up for a friendly buyout near the end of the deal

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

any chance we try to sign fedotenko (or anyone) today? i like the idea of trying to sign gionta as well.

A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com

by furrer4heisman on Jul 1, 2009 12:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping

Realistically I don’t think so but I would hope the Sabres do something today. I think that Fedetenko wold be a great fit with the Sabres.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

same here

any idea how much it would take to sign him?

A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com

by furrer4heisman on Jul 1, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would say it would take around $2.5/season on a one or two year deal

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Leafs

The Leafs sign Colton Orr to a four year contract

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bouwmeester and Sedins

Since they took less than their perceived market value, will that make other players more affordable and thus in the Sabres’ price range?

A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com

by furrer4heisman on Jul 1, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking that could be a possibility. In fact I think the lack of signings through one and a half hours is god for the Sabres. The price seems to be lower this season than we have seen in the past. I hope this means that that the Sabres can get involved in the action.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Free Agency

It looks like, at least up to this point, that most of the top free agents have resigned with there current teams. Perhaps that’s a good omen for Spacek. Also, if the Sabres were to get Brian Gionta, now that would be a great acquisition.

by Geolover on Jul 1, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think when I mentioned Gionta during the free agent list I thought he would be a good fit for the Sabres. I think that it may also help that he’s from Rochester.

Die By The Blade - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by Zachary Zielonka on Jul 1, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sportsnet reports ...

Sabres sign Steve Montador 2 years – $3.1 million

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is awesome

love the way he plays. he was a guy i hoped the sabres would get in a perfect world. but didnt actually think it would happen. this is a great move.

A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com

by furrer4heisman on Jul 1, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

is that a done deal?

by Fucilli5 on Jul 1, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's done

The post is up on the front page.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spacek is gone

signs with the Montreal Canadiens

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

spacek

Yeah…and for 830K/yr over 3 yrs more than we offered. Another smooth move by our short sighted front office

by maddawg1022 on Jul 1, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Spacek

I liked Spacek and thought he was the Sabres best defenseman last season but he is not worth almost $4 million/season. The Sabres made the right move by letting him walk. IMO.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spacek

Agreed. I have no clue what Montreal is doing right now. First the Gomez contract, and now overpaying huge for Spacek. Love the Montador signing. Now if they can get a guy like Bergeron as the puck mover things could be progressing in the right direction.

by mehlen on Jul 1, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs