NHL UFA Season - 2008 - Snapshots

[Updated July 2]

Some commentary given the action so far:

STILLMAN

Panthers sign Stillman for $10.00 million over 3 years.

From my previous post: "...if a team can get him signed to deal in the 2.00 to 3.00 range (years vary with price) they will be very happy with their investment."

They pay a lot more than they should have imo. At $3.35 mill/yr or so, for a guy who will be 37 yrs old by the end of the deal, the team is paying for one year of full production and two years of declining production.

Not a great contract. $3.35 mill /yr, for two years, would have been lots.

RYDER

Bruins sign Ryder for $12.00 million over 3 years.

From my previous post: A smart team will see through the smokescreen, sign Ryder for something in the 2.25 to 2.75 range (I expect 2 to 3 years) and find that, with more powerplay time, they made a good move.

Wow. NOT smarter that the average Bear.

IF he does rebound they only get him for 3 years and if he doesn't they have massively overpaid him. Their only hope to win this contract is that he scores 50 pts next year and never gets better OR they win the Cup - but that is always the way isn't it?

DUPUIS

Penguins sign Dupuis for $4.20 million over 3 years.

From my previous post: "Some smart team will pick him up on a 3 year deal in the 1.25 to 1.50 range."

And some smart team did. Good signing by Pittsburgh.

PANDOLPHO

Devils sign Pandolpho for, what looks to be, $7.50 mill over 3 years.

From my previous post: "A 3 year declining balance deal looks to be a good way to go (say 2.75 / 1.5 / 1.25)."

He got way more than that. As with the Stillman deal, given his age and other factors it is hard to say that Pandolpho will earn that 3rd year on his contract. $2.50 a year for 2 years would have made sense but... well.. gotta pay to play I guess.

ROSZIVAL

Rangers sign Roszival for $20.00 million over 4 years.

From my previous post: "This year he gets his money. Good for him. Anything under $4.50 mill /yr is a good deal for the team that gets him."

And he did get his money. And then some. Good for him and bad for the Rangers overall roster and salary management.

HAINSEY

Thrashers sign Hainsey for $22.50 million over 5 years.

From my previous post: "...even playing for Hitchcock he was still only middlin' effective at evens. I expect him to get $4.50 or so a year and I don't know if he is worth it."

Pretty much what I expected. The saving grace is that if he is worth it then they have him for 5 years. The risk was all on them (the Thrashers) anyways.

VANDERMEER

Flames sign Vandermeer for,what looks to be, $6.90 million over 3 years.

From my previous post: "A smart team locks a guy like Vandermeer up for 4 or more years in the $1.35 to 1.65 range. At that price point, in the right roster spot, he will be a very effective player."

First of all I would like to say that I wish the Calgary Flames the best of luck this playoff season.

SALVADOR

Devils sign Salvador for $11.60 mill over 4 years.

From my previous post: "I expect to see him get a 4 year deal in the $3.00 to 4.00 mill /yr range and I expect that he will earn it. At any price point lower than $3.00 he is a steal."

Devils just stole themselves a winner. Great signing.

SAUER

Coyotes sign Sauer for $7.00 mill over 4 years.

From my previous post: "Take a guy like Sauer, pay him $2 mill /yr or so (I expect he gets a touch more), and then play him with your offensive zone wanderers. You will look like a genious."

Maloney is a genious. THAT is one of the best signings of the entire UFA season.

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More to come as I will update this post periodically.