JULY 1st COVERAGE
HOUR 1
-It appears as though the Senators and Coyotes have both made big offers to Ben Bishop. Bishop isn't going to rush into choosing his team. The Coyotes finished second last in the entire league last season and are looking to accelerate their rebuild by signing the Vezina candidate Ben Bishop. They currently have a tandem of Mike Smith 81oa and Anders Lindback 80oa. We all know about the Senators goalie situation. Fans have to be excited to see the Sens go in on an elite goalie.
-SJ are the front runners for Datsyuk. Looking for a quick re-tool rather than the previously rumoured rebuild. They need a 1C to replace Thornton.
-Toronto and Vancouver have both made humongous pitches to Tyler Johnson who is taking his time.
-Carolina's new ownership will be active again after last year's big off season where they signed Boedker and Lucic. They've made a big offer to Tatar. Looking for a new winger to play with Hnerik now that Daniel has retired, Vancouver has apparently also talked with him.
-Very little interest in Vanek so far. It'll be interesting to see if that changes when teams lose out on bigger names, or if Vanek is forced to lower his massive contract demands. Teams are apprehensive to commit long term on a player of Vanek's age who has previously had “buyout candidate” attached to his name.
-Lots of teams see Perreault as a great low key pickup as a free agent. NJ, FLA, and DAL have already approached him. He should have no trouble getting the modest contract he desires.
-BOS might be in on Del Zotto. With Chara lost to retirement, there is a huge hole in their defense and they have the cap space to make a competitive offer.
HOUR 2
-Surprisingly high amount of interest in Berglund given his low point totals. TOR, ARZ, and CAR all have made pitches. Toronto is trying hard to turn the corner by adding both Johnson and Berglund.
-TB has apparently approached Frederik Andersen. Andersen wasn't listed in our top free agents because he is seen as a backup goalie and not a starter. He will likely provide a stable #2 option behind Vasileskiy if signed.
-SJ are still the favourites to take home Datsyuk. It seems like it is just a matter of time until both teams finalize things.
-We've just got word that Mathieau Perrault has signed a 4 year 3.27M contract with the Devils. “They offered me an amount I thought was fair, and were willing to offer me a chance at a greater role on their team. I think I can really grow as a player there.” Said Perrault when asked about signing in New Jersey. Perrault will be their third best OA forward.
-NYI have now apparently jumped into the Tomas Tatar derby. Hard pitches being made to him about the prospect of playing with Tavares.
-Brian Bickell was the subject of a bidding war between Nashville and Buffalo. As an Ontario native, Bickell apparently was leaning towards the Sabres, but Nashville offered the 31 year old a 3 year deal compared to the Sabres 2 year offer. After a comeback year last season with Chicago where he scored 32 points, Bickell signed with NSH for 2.18M per. We can also report that the Predators have signed Blake Comeau to an almost matching 3 year 2.35M deal. Comeau had 41 points with the Avalanche last season. These are both solid signings that will bolster Nashville's bottom 6 going into next season where they hope they can avoid missing the playoffs for a second straight year.
HOUR 3
-The Sharks have apparently sent Brad Richards to the Rangers. In return, they've added Marcus Dickerson who was a 4th round pick of the Rangers in the 2017 draft. This trade might have been an attempt by the Sharks to clear cap space. Shortly after this trade was announced, word that the Sharks are in on Tomas Tatar leaked.
-It might sound crazy, but Cody Hodgson could be heading back to Buffalo.
-Dwight King is apparently working out a deal with the Hurricanes. Could this mean that they have been informed that one of their more coveted free agents won't sign with them?
-The Maple Leafs have signed Patrik Berglund to a 4 year 3.1M per deal. “He's a good player who'll be a big part of our team going forward” said Leafs coach Mike Babcock. For the Leafs fans, this is a polarizing signing, as 3.1M is a lot to commit to a player like Berglund who is coming off of a 24 point season.
-Tatar is the hottest free agent right now. Even hotter than Johnson or Bishop. Dallas apparently has thrown their hat into the ring. Tatar should choose his destination any minute now.
-As expected, the San Jose Sharks have finalized a deal with Pavel Datsyuk. This is a great move by the Sharks. They added Laine and Paul last trade deadline by trading Thornton and now have used that open cap space to sign Datsyuk to a contract. Datsyuk did not come cheap at 2 years and nearly 9M per. His high price tag apparently drove off most other teams.
-”It was a good fit. We're not concerned about Pavel's age. He still has a lot to offer. Our goal has never been to rebuild, we see ourselves as a playoff team and adding Datsyuk keeps that as a reality for us. We're excited to have him.”-Doug Wilson on the Datsyuk signing
HOUR 4
-As if. The Maple Leafs make a massive acquisition. Without them having drafted Auston Matthews in this game, they need a number 1 centre (oh wait, no they don't because according to EA Kadri is a godly 1st liner....thanks for the accuracy EA). It took a 6 year term and 6.6M per, but the Leafs have made one of the bigger acquisitions of this free agency......Tyler Johnson is now a Maple Leaf.
-”You know, they have such a legacy there in Toronto. They've got some exciting players coming up like Nylander, Rielly, Marner, and now Legace. I just couldn't turn down an opportunity to play for Babcock and be part of the turn around there. With the lineup we have, I really think we can win a cup in the next few years.” Said Johnson on the signing.
-Absolutely HUGE news. Tomas Tatar has chosen the Dallas Stars as his destination. Tatar apparently took a haircut to join the league's top duo of Benn and Seguin. Tatar signed a 4 year 6M per deal.
-”We're thrilled to add Tomas. He for us was the top guy out there and our top priority. He had such a good playoff last season (9 goals/20 points in 21 games) we just know he'll be such a big piece of the puzzle for us. We're ecstatic.”-Jim Nill on the Tatar signing
-Anaheim and Arizona have both put offers fourth to David Desharnais who is the top centre left in free agency.
-Still no interest in Vanek.
-Del Zotto to Boston seems imminent.
HOUR 5
-Huge news. The Senators have acquired the services of Ben Bishop. It took the Senators a 4 year contract at 7.5M per. In his swan song with TB, Bishop had a .934 in 10 playoff games last season. The Coyotes apparently made an offer to Bishop, but the Senators beat them out on money, and as a result, Big Ben will be returning to Ottawa. With this contract, Ben Bishop ties Dany Heatley to become the Senators highest cap player in the team's history.
“We couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a guy like Ben in net. We see ourselves as a contender, and Ben is the type of guy you need back there. How often do teams get a chance to scoop up a goalie like him in free agency? It is baffling. Even if it means having to make some tough choices down the road budget wise, we just could not pass up this opportunity.”-GMDP on the signing
“I'm happy to be back in Ottawa. I enjoyed my time there and I like what they are doing. I look forward to playing with some of the same guys again. I heard Karl cut his hair, so I'm looking forward to seeing that.”-Bishop on the return to Ottawa.
-Apparently a team in the East is in on Vanek.
-It has been a quiet July 1st for Brendan Smith, but apparently after missing out on a few bigger names, the Canucks have approached him.
-Luke Schenn will most likely sign in New York, both the Rangers and Islanders have made offers.
HOUR 6
-The Hurricanes make their first addition. Dwight King is signed to a 3 year 2.6M deal. The 28 year old only had 17 points last season but is valued for his physical presence.
-In what might be the strangest move of this trade deadline, Cody Hodgson has returned to Buffalo on a three year 2M per deal. Hodgson had a comeback year last season when he put up 19 goals and 46 points in Nashville. Given Hodgson's past inconsistencies, despite his solid numbers there weren't many teams interested in him. Funny enough, this means Buffalo is now paying Hodgson twice, both for his previous buyout and now for his new contract.
-Wow. Talk about a snub. All we've heard for the last few hours was that Del Zotto to Boston was a done deal. Did the 27yo LD string the Bruins along until the last minute? It sure seems that way considering he signed a 4 year 4.5M deal with the Bruins divisional rival the Florida Panthers.
“We never committed to a team one way or another. We were always straight forward that we were feeling out the market. Florida came along late in the process and we felt for our client, they offered the best possible situation, so we signed there.”-Del Zotto's agent on signing with Florida
-Vanek's people are hoping to drum up more interest now that Tatar and Johnson are off the market. Still, only 1 team has come forward.
-Could the Bruins get in on Brendan Smith now that they were snubbed by Del Zotto?
HOUR 7
-We can now report that David Desharnais has signed a 3 year 3.2M per deal with the Arizona Coyotes. He'll likely fit in as their 2C behind Hanzal but ahead of the ageing Antoine Vermette.
“This is a great coup for the Coyotes. They still lack a game changing 1C, but Desharnais can step in right away on their second line and play with guys like Domi, Reider, or Duclair.”-Bob McKenzie on the signing
-Luke Schenn was able to squeeze the Rangers for a 3 year 2.2M deal.
-Little to no interest in Drew Stafford who might have to lower his 3x3 asking price.
-We're down to Tomas Vanek, Brendan Smith, and Michael Neuvirth.
HOUR 8
-The Canucks have signed Brendan Smith to a 3 year deal worth nearly 4M per.
“This is a steep contract for Jim Benning. Smith is a smooth skater who is great in his own end, but he isn't seen as a guy who can eat big minutes in the top 4 where Vancouver probably expects him to play. There wasn't a ton of interest in Smith at his asking price, but it seems like holding out until the end of the day worked for him. Vancouver were out of options and need to build a winner around Henrik before he retires so they opted to just go ahead and overpay for Smith.”-Bob McKenzie on the Smith signing.
-Two depth signings, the Sabres have added John Mitchell while Colorado has signed Lee Stempniak.
HOUR 9
-The last big free agent has now been signed. The Devils, desperate for a strong right hand forward have signed 87oa Thomas Vanek to a 6 year 6.3M deal. Vanek is 33 years old, and will be nearly 40 when this deal ends. Vanek had nearly 40 goals last season.
“You never know what is going on behind the scenes that prompts these contracts, but what a way to close out our free agent frenzy. I'm guessing this will be a polarizing deal with Devils fans. Yes, they are getting a star player who will fit a major need for them right away. Vanek put up 37 goals last season, that's top end goal scoring in today's NHL. But you have to look at the trade off. This is a guy who has been criticized for his work ethic, and had the word buyout attached to him when he was with Minnesota. I can't imagine that the Devils management are kidding themselves about this contract and think Vanek can live up to the big price tag during the second half. This reads like a win now, worry about the second half later type deal.”-Bob McKenzie on Vanek signing with New Jersey
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