GDT: Free Agent Frenzy--9am PST, 7/1/15

[KINGS17]

Free agency is a great illustration of how a shortage of skilled labor drives up wages. Everyone moans about "overpayment," but the bottom line is that the pool of available talent is small and as such there will always be upward pressure on wages. The salary cap is an attempt to stop that, obviously, but as long as you're relying on that pool of labor, "overpayment" is just a means to complain about "market value."

The amount of available cap space is also very small, and not every team is willing to spend to the cap. Wait to long and there may only be one or two teams vying for your services, and they might both being playing hardball in negotiations.

Let's take Williams for example. If he doesn't sign relatively quickly and the the two or three teams that are still interested are middle of the pack or bottom feeders, why are they going to give Williams a 5x5 deal, which is rumored to be what he wants. Franky, I will be shocked if he gets more than 3 years. Any GM handing out more term than that isn't too bright.

 

[cyclones22]

FYI:

@SNstats: Fewest Day 1 #NHLFreeAgency signings since 2005

Kings: 5
Sharks: 6
Jets/Thrashers: 7
Ducks: 8
Flames: 9
Senators: 9

Yep, that's because DL trades instead.

 

[AKAY47]

Interesting. Mike Richards' name is not on the official free agents list....

 

[Nizar]

Lets see who overpays today. Lets spends some dollars. Looks like Belesky will be the new Clarkson.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Yep, that's because DL trades instead.

and I think those were Handzus, Nagy, Priessing, Calder, and Blake(booo!)
4 of which where on the same day

 

[417th]

All we truly need is a solid back up G and a good (not great second pairing Dman) and we are more than set. Forbort is going to be good but he will need all of this season to get his feet and hands up to NHL speed. His head is already there but I think he will be yet another good young D for us. We have one question mark in what will happen to VV and have to address it other than that we are good to go.

 

[Papa Mocha 15]

So you're telling me there's a chance?
-Backup goalie 1-1.5M range
-McBain
Call it a day.

I'm hoping for hockey XMAS.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Kessel to Pens apparently done.

 

[Papa Mocha 15]

Kessel to Pens apparently done.

But but but....it's not on Hockeybuzz yet. It can't be true.

 

[Fishhead]

FYI:

@SNstats: Fewest Day 1 #NHLFreeAgency signings since 2005

Kings: 5
Sharks: 6
Jets/Thrashers: 7
Ducks: 8
Flames: 9
Senators: 9

Oh hey, look, 3 of the top 4 are on the west coast....

And two of those other places are damn cold

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Kessel to Pens apparently done.

Who needs D? they'll try to win every game 11-10

 

[deeshamrock]

Kessel to Pens apparently done.

Finally. Iwas getting tired of hearing and reading about it. He finally gets a top center to play with, that's good for about 40 or more goals if he stays healthy.

Can't believe the Preds signed RIbiero . WHen the youngest of your top 2 centers is 35, that's just not good for team trying to go deep in a playoff run after 82 games.

Good signing of Anisimov for the Hawks, skilled, fast center who should compliment Kane pretty good.

Sounds like Sekera is one of the defenemen Oilers are upgrading to today.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Lets see who overpays today. Lets spends some dollars. Looks like Belesky will be the new Clarkson.

Ha ha. Let the games begin.

So Greiss to NYI. Let's see if we pick up a goaltender today.

 

[deeshamrock]

Who needs D? they'll try to win every game 11-10

That wasn['t the problem in the playoffs, Fluery did fine , and they had injuries on the backline. They lost because they didn't produce goals and offense. And Geno being injured affected that. Kessel will put up 40 at least if he stays healthy. First time he'll have atrue #1 center to play with.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

The first domino has fallen Matt Hunwick signed in Toronto

 

[Hatter]

Sekera not on the Kings this year really pisses me off.

That is all

 

[Reclamation Project]

Sekera re-signs - Dean seriously overpaid! Terrible!
Sekera walks - Dean blew it. What a joke.

 

[agentfouser]

Sekera re-signs - Dean seriously overpaid! Terrible!
Sekera walks - Dean blew it. What a joke.

It's not wrong; that trade looks a lot worse if we don't keep him.

Oops, misread. Yes, you're right. We are contradictory jerks on here.

 

[AKAY47]

Kings probably stick to their UFA motto, being quiet. But with $10M in cap space, I don't really know why not.

 

[Papa Mocha 15]

Beuchamin to Colorado. 3 years.

 

[Hatter]

McKeown and a first for 16 games.

Grats?

 

[AKAY47]

Beauchemin $4.5/AAV? That's not even that bad... Thats only $500K more than what Martinez is getting, think of that.

 

[Reclamation Project]

And signing him would be an even bigger disaster if we sign him for some of the numbers I'm seeing.

 

[Trolfoli]

Beauchemin $4.5/AAV? That's not even that bad... Thats only $500K more than what Martinez is getting, think of that.

35+ contract on that? There's some risk there if that's the case.

 

[SCARFACE909]

Interesting. Mike Richards' name is not on the official free agents list....

He's a UFA, he's not on the list because his contract was terminated..Semin/Boyes who were bought out aren't listed either.