Cornwall ON – So the big fish is still on the loose. Where Ilya Kovalchuk will call home still isn’t decided and Tomas Kaberle is still a Leaf, but an awful lot of players are changing jerseys after yesterday’s opening salvo of free agent signings.
The Sens were busy grabbing the big money D agent by signing Sergei Gonchar, 36 to a 3 year contract for fat bucks. More than Anton Volchenkov got to sign with New Jersey of all places who lost Paul Martin to Pittsburgh for $5M per year for 5 years.
Calgary got Olli Jokinen back for a reduced price of $3M per year, and Alex Tanguay for $1.7M, and Saku Koivu reupped with Anaheim for $5M for 2 years.
Montreal settled on Alex Auld who certainly will strike no fear in Carey Price’s heart letting Dan Ellis get away and in an odd twist losing out on Marty Biron who signed for less to play for the Rangers. Goalie $$$ are not at a premium right now in the NHL it seems.
The Leafs paid a huge price in grabbing gritty Colby Armstrong for 3 years at $3 per and in a mind boggling play Vancouver gave Manny Malhotra $2.5 per year for 3 years to come west and also giving Dan Hamhuis $4.25 per year for six years.
What do you think Hockey Fans? Did your teams do well so far? You can post your comments below.
