Arby Avoidance

As only one Eastern Conference player has yet to have either gone to arbitration or decided to take a deal before his date, let's take a look at us Western Conferencers so we know the low down on them.

And so you don't get to pin the tail on favoritism, we're going alphabetically. By team.

Marek Svatos - Colorado

On July 25, signed a two-year, $4.1 million contract. Contract negotiated before hearing.

Svatos has 26 goals last season, even with missing the last 16 games due to a knee injury.  The contract is backloaded which says the Avalanche believe him to be a nice future cog for their cause.

Valtteri Filppula - Detroit

On July 30, signed a five-year, $15 million contract. Contract negotiated before hearing.

Just announced today, and the final Western piece to the puzzle, Filppula earned himself a nice contract no matter which way you look at it - if he continues to build at a slower pace, we're not overpaying, but if he explodes much like Franzen and Kronwall did with their longer term RFA signings, the $3 million in 2012-2013 will look like a steal. Great building by GM Ken Holland.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard - Minnesota

On July 26, signed a five-year, $20.4 million contract.  Contract negotiated before hearing.

After setting a franchise record for assists in a season at 50, there was probably little doubt that Bouchard would be sticking in the Minn.  He gets an extra bonus for his flash - a no trade clause for the first two years of his contract. Niiice.

Stephane Veilleux - Minnesota

On July 19, signed a one-year, $862,500 contract. Contract negotiated before hearing.

Veilleux had a career year in 2007-08 with 11 goals and 7 assists through 77 games.  He's a key peg in their checking line, and has proven himself over his five years in uniform with the Wild.

Ville Koistinen - Nashville

On July 30, awarded a one-year, $700,000 contract through arbitration.

The contract has not been finalized yet, but Koistinen was awarded his dues through a meeting with an independent arbitrator on the 28th.

Jay McClement - St. Louis

On July 14, signed a one-year, $950,000 contract. Contract negotiated before hearing.

The center had 9 goals and 13 assists last season, known more for his defense than his offense.

...In With The New

Well, the Wings have filled the Assistant Coach position, and it was a name we Wings fans actually expected.  Taking the offensive duties this season will be former Wing Brad McCrimmon.  He played defense with the Wings for three seasons (90-91 to 92-93) and was recently the Assistant Coach for the Atlanta Thrashers (yay for stealing from the East! apparently that's our latest habit).  McCrimmon is also a Saskatchewan man like our Coach Babcock!  Hooray for great coaches from the Sask!

We now need to fill the Video Coach position, and I know who I've got MY fingers crossed for... one Bruise Brother that always made me squee with joy because of his fists of fury, and he currently has my heart through my stomach because of his Fenton, MI restaurant, 'The Penalty Box'.  Yep, Mr. Joey Kocur, the man with the one-punch knockout.  He was our VC for some time before Babcock took over and replaced the entire support staff with his own, but with Woodie (Jay Woodcroft) bookin' it for the San with McLennan, I'm thinking a favorite son who knows the job would be a nice addition.  Heck, maybe he could give Tomas Kopecky and Jonathan Ericsson, some young guys who have the build to do some damage, a few pointers on holding their own? Dreaming :)

Also in Wings news...

Both Ericsson and Jimmy Howard have signed 3-year deals.  This tells me a few things - one, that Howard likely isn't going to steal the #2 away from Ty Conklin this season but will have two full NHL years, and two, that Ericsson might get NHL time, but not enough to keep him a RFA, so we wanted to lock him up longer term.

Free-Agency? What? OH THAT.

Marian Hossa... the newest Red Wing?!

I... I have no idea how I can form words right now.  Really.  No idea.  So excuse me if this entry is a) long and b) jumbled.

But I will cover both Wings and Columbus signings and trades (so far) so it's got a shot to be REALLY LONG.  Heh...

Detroit Red Wings (aka good chance to repeat)

11:58 am on July 1 - Resigned Brad Stuart to a 4-year deal worth $3.75 million per season.  Brad got his no-trade clause for the first two seasons, with a limited-trade clause for the last two.  The two compromised to get the deal done and both have to be happy.  Stuart was looking for his NTC, 4-5 years, and in the range of $4 million a season.  Holland (Wings GM) was looking for $3-3.5 million multi-year without a NTC.  I think Stuart got the better end of the deal, but the Wings aren't complaining either!  It's been said already that the Wings could have the best Top-4 blueline next season.

3:07 pm on July 1 - Signed UFA goaltender Ty Conklin to a one-year, $750,000 contract.  Conklin was a #3 backup for the Penguins last season and beat out their #2 to start 31 games while Marc-Andre Fleury was out with a high-ankle sprain.  He had an amazing record of 18-8-5 and a save percentage of .923 and 2.51 goals-against average.  His best run last season was a series of 11 games - he won nine straight, lost one in overtime, and won the following game, providing an amazing 21 points for the team.  With RFA Jimmy Howard having the option to be sent to the minors, Conklin will probably stick as the Red Wings' #2, providing more motivation for Howard to solidify his game in his AHL time.

12:35 pm July 2 - Highly sought after UFA forward Marian Hossa to a one-year, $7.4 million contract.  At that, it's considered a steal.  Yes, at $7.4 million!  He was getting offers of $9 million (and up?) and many multiple years, but obviously he feels his best shot is with Detroit.  Well... do you blame him?  Pittsburgh's second best player in the Cup Finals (because Malkin didn't show up until Game 4) added to the Cup Champion roster that is basically unchanged?  Haha yeah.  Wow.  Just, WOW.

Don't look for the Wings to make any other big splashes (unless, of course, Mats Sundin wants to sign with us for a measly $3 million).  We're done except for some RFA signings! :)

Columbus Blue Jackets

Sometime before free agency July 1 - Traded first-round pick Gilbert Brule to Edmonton for Raffi Torres.  Brule was the first first-round pick ever traded by the Jackets, but Torres should add some great experience to the lineup.

6:01 pm July 1 - Signed UFA defenseman Mike Commodore to a 5-year, $18.75 million contract.  Commodore is a big defenseman and will add some size.

The other big/semi-big name UFAs?

• Brian Campbell signed an 8-year, $56.8 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.
• Brian Rolston signed a 4-year, $20.25 million contract with the New Jersey Devils, the team that drafted him.
• Wade Redden signed a 6-year, $39 million contract with the New York Rangers.
• Mats Sundin has not signed, and told the media today that while he appreciated all the offers, he probably would not make a decision - on playing, and if so, where - for a few days/weeks.
• Jaromir Jagr has reportedly been made an offer by the Penguins, though has not signed with anyone at this time.
• Brendan Shanahan is rumored to have had an offer from the Devils; no signing yet.
• Sean Avery (super-pest extraordinaire) signed a 4-year, $15.5 million contract with the Dallas Stars.

I'm still dumbfounded about Hossa.  Someone's going to have to smack me in a bit... make sure the jaw can still close...