It's not a coincidence in my mind that the NHL's version of Free Enterprise Day and Canada's Independence Day are one in the same. Right up there with the day the Cup is raised, the first time I walk back into an NHL arena of the summer and trade deadline day, July 1st is one of my favorite days of the year.
So I start out with what my boys here in Carolina did. With only 8 forwards on the roster, not a surprise the Canes were active.
After signing Joni Pitkanen, Chad LaRose and Jussi Jokinen, I was not surprised to see Erik Cole walk. He was ok in his "rental" stint here in 2009, he was given a 3.5 Million 2 year deal that expired today. Considering this past season was the 2nd best year of his career, the offer of 3.5 Million probably did appear like a slap in the face to Cole.
Exploring free agency, Cole signed with Montreal for 4.5 Million and 4 years. What I find interesting in this deal is who it is with. Cole has been a Canadian killer his entire career. It all started in 2002 in the "Miracle at Molson."
The Molson Center, the former name of the home of the Canadians, played host to game 4 in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Up 2-1 in the series, game 4 was huge for both teams. Montreal came out and dominated the first 40 taking a commanding 3-0 lead and 20 minutes away from a strangle hold on the series.
The Canes struck twice and then tied it on the stick of a then rookie Erik Cole. Not only did this set up the Canes winning the series and eventually the Eastern Conference, it set up Cole to dominate Montreal throughout his career, especially in the Molson (now Belle) Center.
What I'm curious to see is was it the team he was playing or the building he was playing in? He obviously can't dominate Montreal playing for them, however can still dominate in the building.
Personally, I'm ok with the money he got. He was a 3.5 million player and was clearly better after the contract than before it. That screams raise. However, 4 years is a lot to commit to a guy who is one more hit away fom his career being over and a guy who was an absolute disaster when he left Carolina for Edmonton previously in his career. Cole has never proved he can play with anyone but Eric Staal and will need to prove he is worth not only the money, but the term.
Carolina brought in 3 new guys and resigned Juri Tlusty as well on this day. Tlusty was a good pick up. I think he brings a lot to the table and considering we traded a first round pick to get him, I'm glad we didn't just lose him to free agency.
The three guys brought in, as a whole, I'm really in the middle about. However, I'm thrilled with Brian Boucher coming in Raleigh. Cam Ward desperately needed a veteran backup that was ready to step in at any moment. The Justin Peters experiment did NOT work and he needs another few years in the AHL. Boucher as the back up for the next two years gives Peters a chance to be the guy in Charlotte and come back in two years as a much more experienced goalie. However, the only down side is young goalie Mike Murphy, who I really like, just lost a of time in net due to this.
Tim Brent is also wearing red now. I'm mixed about this one. This guy really hasn't done much in his career and is really small. However, he is a great face off guy and that was a clear struggle last year. He should takes some draws and kill some penalties. I thought Zenon Kenopka would be an interesting option at this spot, but alas, we get a small guy who doesn't intimidate anyone.
I really don't like the Alexei Ponikarovsky getting added. He hasn't done much the last few years and unless he stays in a third line role, really will not add that much to the team. I'm glad he's on a one year deal. And at 1.5 Million, it's not too high risk. I just don't see a big splash from this guy and more importantly, I don't really see him fitting in. He was intended to be the big nasty guy in front on the Cole Staal line. Without Cole, who knows where he fits in.
Alright, so there's Carolina. Here are my best signings of the day:
Jeff Halperin - Washington - 825K. Super cheap for a role this team needs. With all that firepower and trouble in the playoffs, a good defensive veteran center is a great add. Ideally, he was my first choice in the spot that Tim Brent got.
Maxime Talbot - Philadelphia - 1.8 Million, 2 years. What a deal. This guy can do it all in any situation and has crazy amounts of playoff experience, including his name on the cup.
Mike Commodore - Detroit - 1 Million. I think Commodore is a very underrated player in this league. He had a little bit of pressure on the redonkulas contract he got in Columbus a few years back. A million seems about right and small term, so if it doesn't work, he's gone. Low risk, big payoff.
Dan Carcillio - Chicago - 750K. With all that talent, Chicago needs a tough guy. Great pickup. Low price.
Here are my stretches....
Patrick Eaves - Detroit - 1.3 Million - 3 years. He is my least favorite player of all time. You could pay him below US minimum wage and I would think it's too much.
James Wisniewski - Columbus - 5.5 Million - 6 years. 5.5 Million? For a second tier defensemen? You're serious? And then you get him for 6 years?!? Without a doubt the worst signing of the day. I can name 15 - 20 defensemen I would pick over this guy and probably 5 - 10 of those make less than this. He's a good player, no doubt. But no more than 2 - 3 million for this guy. But Columbus has a nack for doing this. I.E. see Mike Commodore a few years ago.
Tomas Fleischmann - Florida - 4.5 Million - 4 years. Exact same deal Erik Cole, and I thought Erik Cole's was a stretch. So, Cole has 28 goals and 28 assists last year on an average team. Felischmann had 12 and 19 in 45 games on a great team and has only hit the 20 goal mark once in his career. But hey, enjoy your money.
Erik Cole - see above.
Free Agent Day Winners
Chicago - lots of grit added. They have the firepower, just needed to add the muscle that won them the cup in 2010.
Washington - Great trade with Varmalov getting rid of the 3 goalie issue and then throw in Halperin, playoff guru Joel Ward, stud defensmen Roman Hamrlik, plus the trade for Troy Brouwer and Washington looks as complete as I've ever seen them and my early favorite to hoist the cup.
Philly - They made up for the guys they lost with Talbot and oh yeah, Jaromir Freakin Jagr. Any doubt that this could still play in my mind was erased in the Olympics last year.
Signing Day Losers
Florida - Holy crap calm down. This is basically a brand new team this year but guess what, no one watches this team. This team is basically starting over. Hell, their website is advertising them basically starting over. Lots of new players to play in front of empty green seats.
New York Rangers - These guys did NOTHING and they need scoring. Lots of names out there still, including Brad Richards, but so far, nothing.
Montreal - Once again, over paying and taking risks. These guys are like the Yankees.
Things to keep your eye on
Locally, Carolina is not done. They still need a top forward to complete a roster. Maybe Corey Stillman resigns? But ideally, JR will wait and make a trade this summer.
Brad Richards, the top prize this year, is still out there. I was shocked he didn't get signed today.
Tomas Kaberle needs a home as well and I don't see him returning to Boston
I'll be interested to see if anyone grabs Sergei Samsonov. I really wouldn't mind him back in Carolina if we can get him under a million, but there is no chance it happens.
