Whew! That a day that was. It felt like the every NHL player got dumped into a bingo spinner and names were plucked at near-random. Toss in a few hours of top-stress soccer and Tuesday never wore me out so much.
Me at 3 PM daily.
The carnage is far from complete, but look who made a new life plan today:
Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik
No one can see us in these jerseys.
To the Capitals! Hello friends! Pittsburgh Penguins East, reporting for duty. The Caps certainly rolled out the welcome paychecks, going $40.25 million/7 years for Nisky and $27.5 million/5 years for Brooks. Where does that leave $6 million Mike Green? New coach Barry Trotz says he hasn’t written Mike off – and who knows. Some help back there could be just what Mike needs. Either way, I got to keep my Turtle and the Caps sold at least one new shirtzee.
He also stands by the road and waves as people drive into DC.
Thomas Vanek
Minnesotans sure love Minnesota, and the Wild love them right back. Thomas Vanek, who went to school and now lives in MN, joins natives Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, albeit for waaaaay less money. Less money, in fact, than other teams were offering Vanek (to stay on Long Island). He took 3 years/$19.5 million to play home games where he really makes his home. Once again, the Islanders get the shaft.
Like the boy holding onto his balloons in Up.
Matt Moulson
Speaking of ex-Islanders, Matt Moulson was traded to the Sabres last fall. The Sabres traded him to the Wild in March. Today he went back… to Buffalo. To the worst team in the League last season. That is some serious faith in the rebuilding process and some serious cash at $25 million/5 years.
I’ve been laughing at this photo since yesterday.
The mission to rescue John Tavares is now a go. We’re coming for you, hon.
“When you came in here, didn’t you have a plan for getting out?” – Princess Leia
Jarome Iginla
The Avs are gearing up for some kind of Survivor spin off featuring old guys vs. young guys. They’re loaded with Landeskog, Duchene and MacKinnon, who in case you’ve forgotten scored 157% of Colorado’s playoff goals last season. They’ve added Danny Briere and yesterday plussed up again with Jarome Iginla. Iggy gets 3 years, $16 million. We have much love for Iginla – heck, he’s played for all our teams now.
Could still score on Roy.
Both Briere and Iginla played against Avs coach Patrick Roy when he was still in the League. I hope someone welcomes them at training camp with a video of any goals they scored on Roy.
My response to everything on UFA Day.
Paul Stastny
Eliminated from the Avs’ new game show was Paul Stastny, but he got a big, shiny welcome from his new St. Louis Blues: 4 years, $28 million. At $6.5 million next season, that is $108,000+ for each of the 60 points Stastny scored this year. I need to talk to my boss about a raise. Who do you think gets to keep this shirt?
Orange is the new Avs.
Ryan Miller
In recent years, the Canucks goaltending has been like running through a new level of Super Mario Bros. every night. Jump on the same toadstool, hit the same brick and surprise! Who knows that will fall out. Perhaps that is finally over. Resident starting goalie Eddie Lack wasted no time making friends… and getting trolled by former VAN goalie Roberto Luongo.
Just don’t look at the punctuation.
Miller gets 3 years/$18 million, so let’s hope he picks up the check.
Brad Richards
Sad Brad no more? After being bought out by the Rangers in June, to the tune of a slot machine raining $20 million into a bucket because of his original contract, Richards signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Blackhawks today. Ho-ly crap. New York fans hated Brad because a) they could and b) he was really and truly awful. He must be thrilled to shed them, while dragging a sack full of their money, and head for Chicago.
#partyhard
We figure most guys would play alongside Toews and Kane for free anyway. NYR fans are still glad to be rid of Brad, and thinking maybe the lockout’s one silver lining was that compliance buyout.
Upside for us: High likelihood of repeat beard performance.
Gingerbeard dreams.
There are so many more. Brian Boyle went to the Lightning, so the Rangers can just give his old jerseys to newly acquired Dan Boyle. Jussi Jokinen, Shawn Thornton, Dave Bolland and anyone else they could fit on the plane went to Florida. Tanner Glass went to the Rangers, while Deryk Engelland and Jonas Hiller joined the Flames. Here’s the full list. It will only get longer tomorrow.
Yeah, these salary cap numbers don’t add up.
Tags: brad richards, brooks orpik, jarome iginla, matt moulson, matt niskanen, paul stasny, thomas vanek
Like I needed another reason to have a soft spot for Brooks Laich. Jeez.
I think Stastny must have forced the whole team to wear those shirts after he won their fantasy FB championship. I just saw a pic of Varlamov wearing one this summer.