Free Agency is Upon Us Pt. 5

The big dogs are starting to fall into place. Here we go:

• Former Canadiens defenseman Mark Streit signed with the New York Islanders for 4 years at $20.5 million. Good signing by the Isles. The Habs also lost winger Michael Ryder to the Bruins at 3 years and $4 million per. Ouch. There goes the Canadiens power play.
• The Devils signed Brian Rolston (4 years at $20.25 total) and Bobby Holik (1 year at $2.5). Both are good signings.
• Brian Campbell decided on Chicago as his new home. His deal is astronomical for someone not named Nicklas Lidstrom or Boby Orr. 8 years at $7.1 million per? Wow. Good luck holding on to Kane and Toews. Campbell, being the classy guy that he is, actually called his other suitor, the Atlanta Thrashers, himself and said thank you for the offer. He can do whatever he wants so long as he is not in the Eastern Conference.
• The Rangers signed defenseman Wade Redden to a six year deal at $6.5 million per. Another huge contract for a defenseman, yesterday was a great day to be on the defensive side of the puck, just look at all the backup goalie signings. Throwing that kind of money at Redden will make it difficult to keep Mr. Jagr around.

Here are todays signings:

• Pest, fashion junkie and otherwise goon on skates Sean Avery signed on with the Dallas Stars for 4 years at a total of $15.5 million. Dallas was missing something during their latest Cup run but unfortunately for them, I dont think an agitator was what they were lacking. A solid D-man or a replacement for the aging Mike Modano might have been a wiser allocation of that money.
• The big fish, Marian Hossa was landed in a rather surprising place; Detroit. Thats correct, Hossa left the Penguins to join the team that eliminated them in the Cup finals. The deal is for 1 year at 7.4 million and as Mirtle points out, that means he will be a UFA again next summer and will be able to command more money following a successful season and can then decide where he wants to play out the rest of his days with a long-term deal.

Thats it for now but Mirtle has a great list of the available free agents. Come on Sabres, lock up local boy Brooks Orpik and make it a semi-successful offseason.