You still have until noon to sign up for our game, so get on it MAN!
First off, I'd like to thank the NHL and NHLPA for making this crazy hockey day over my only vacation weekend of the year...with all the excitement that surrounds this day, please consider making this always start on a non holiday monday! Not just for me, but for you..TSN and Sportsnet and OLN should be doing free agency shows like they do trade deadline shows...this has become more and more of an event because of the new CBA...and it will only get more so....I feel there is a huge media opportunity missed by starting this on Canada Day and near the 4th...HUGE! I guess I should be happy, because many have taken off and headed to cabins...I am in Margate, NJ and my wife hates me because I am tied to this laptop:) ...this is like the trade deadline on speed, and a week or two long!
What to expect today: There has been more back and forth than ever before and i expect that many guys will go in the first few hours, then the rest of the weekend will be about the big UFAs, then next week will be about the tier 2 guys, and finally teams will fill out rosters over the month of July...many trades are also on their way...this will be the biggest re-shaping of the NHL we have ever seen...This is the first chance GMs have really had to reshape their teams in NHL2. And they will I am told...
The four goalies in our game are very interesting.
Martin Gerber...A true talent who got sick and lost his chance at being the conn smythe winner (because he could have been) and he deserves a ton of credit for getting the Canes there in the first place. The Red Wings are very hot on his trail and Martin could be one of the first signings today (e4)
John Grahame- Another guy who got a bum rap. John is a very serviceable goalie who unfortunately ran into a personality conflict with JT in Tampa...Not the first and not the last. Grahame could end up in LA (e2), Nashville (e1) or Edmonton (e2)
Manny Legace -Another solid keeper in need of fresh new digs. The panthers (e3), the Thrashers (e2) and the Blues (e3) are all possibilities...longshot: Philly
Dwayne Rolosen- When I sat ten feet from Dwayne three weeks ago in his presser announcing his season was done everyone expected that he was coming back to Edmonton...for some reason that has soured, however it isn't impossible at all...The Sens are the team to watch here as they are looking to possibly make a trade or sign Dwayne (e2)....Edmonton(e2), LA (e2), Florida (e1)
Other Goalies of note...
There has been an great amount of interest in Chris Mason, formerly of Nashville...This kid impressed to say the least. Mason could be one of the first goalies to go, and is rumored to be signing as a starter, LA (e1) , St. Louis(e1) and Ottawa (e2).
Eddie Belfour will likely find his way to Florida or LA
Other notable free agent...Yanic Perreault: He had a career year in Nashville scoring 22 goals last season, a career high 57 points and for the 6th year in the row the best face-off man in the NHL. Wash(e3), Chic (e2), NJ (e3), Colorado (e1)and Philly (e1)
Also Mike Grier couild move west as the Avs(e2) are possibilities...
The Kings may move Conroy today. Perhaps as part of a deal for Biron or perhaps to the Preds for a defensive prospect.
The Caps could be the most surprising team in this year's UFA period. Chara and Savard could possibly find their way there...Also Phoenix may get into the Chara bidding early. Of course NY will as well...
Jay McKee has many suiters and the Flyers, Rangers, Kings, and Sens, yes the Sens may replace Chara with McKee...look for that...
So many free agents, so little time...we are an hour away kids..I will be on XM at noon trying to make heads or tails of all of this..
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