Running Post: Free Agency Fun

Check back here today as the signings come in.  I’ll be posting / updating with rumors involving the Sabres, and any of the major deals that go down at 12:01 PM today, perhaps with some knee jerk analysis as well.

• First off, Kevin Allen of the USA Today, stated at around 8:45 AM this morning that even though GMDR and the Sabres are tightlipped, they will be poking around at UFA’s Erik Cole and Brian Gionta.
• Another Erik Cole reference.  Bruce Ciskie, of Fanhouse fame, captures my whole thoughts on Erik Cole in Buffalo…

[Comment From Booger]
If Erik Cole goes to Buffalo I’m going to throw up.

Bruce Ciskie: Booger – You may want to get a bucket ready.

• The Sedin twins are off the table. 5 years, $6.1 million, a piece.  I’m not going to feign as if Buffalo had a shot at landing the pair of them, however this could have implications.  By taking off 2 of the top 3 forwards from the free agent ranks, that leaves less guys, for more GMs, to increase the prices of UFA’s on the whole.  So if the Sabres were to go after a guy like Gionta, his price just went up because of the greater demand.  Economics 101.
• It’s on like Donkey Kong.  Get ready.
• The first major signing of the day.  Matthias Ohlund will join fellow countryman Victor Hedman in Tampa Bay.  He signs a 7 year deal worth $3.75 million per year.  Off we go.  Now get this, Ohlund will receive $22.5 of the $24.5 million in the first 5 years of that contract (meaning, only $1 million salary in years 6 and 7), so if the Lightning were to buy out those final 2 years, it would only cost them $333,000 per year, for 4 years.  Genius.
• Just coming out, Marian Hossa is signing a 12 year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks at $5.2 million per year. The rich get richer I suppose.  But then again, with Kane and Toews going the RGA route next year, those Hawks are in a heap of trouble.
• My God there’s been a Buffalo Sabres move.  Sportsnet.ca is saying the Sabres have signed defensemen Steve Montador to a 2 year, $3.1 million contract.  Count 1 need addressed and 1 Jaroslav Spacek out the revolving door.
• Scott Neidermeyer stays with the Ducks, scoring a 1 year deal worth $6 million, plus incentives.  It’s a shame to see Pronger’s well being left to a decision from Neids.  But hey, at least he isn’t Brett Favre.
• A guy I wanted to the Sabres to grab is off the board.  Former Flyer Mike Knuble has signed with the Washington Capitals, getting a 2 year deal worth $2.8 million a year. His work in the corners and in front of the net will make the Caps PP that much more dangerous.  Solid work by GMGM.
• Jaro Spacek is no longer a Buffalo Sabre.  The 35 year old has signed a contract with the division rival Montreal Canadiens, grabbing a 3 year contract worth $11.5 million. To say this was out of the Sabres price range is obvious, to say this is completely incredulous is valid.  Between the Gomez deal and now Spacek, is Bob Gainey trying to get himself fired?  But even though the contract is expensive, Spacek is a steady Dman, who can ably run a powerplay, and never is truly out of position.
• Lots of minor deals I haven’t really talked about.  This link gives you them all. Have at it.
• All that talk about Erik Cole?  No worries, he resigned with Carolina this afternoon.  Gionta however, is still available, and according to Kevin Allen of USA Today, has been approached by over 10 teams with offers.
• A couple big ones went down on my commute from work.  First off, unlike everyone else in the league, Nik Khabibulin is leaving Chicago.  He signed a 4 year, $15 million dollar contract out in Edmonton. For those keeping track at home, yes, Nik Khabibulin has a smaller cap hit than the recently departed Jaroslav Spacek.  Perhaps Dany Heatley demanded the Oilers have a goalie before he consented to a deal?
• The thugs get thuggier.  Philadelphia signed Ian Laperriere, another guy who would’ve fit well in the new and improved Sabres philosophy.  He just joins Chris Pronger and Dan Carcillo on Broad Street.
• Montreal makes their splash, signing Mike Cammalleri to a 5 year, $30 million dollar deal. This give Montreal the winger to play with Gomez, but now look at those top 6 forwards, quite undersized.
• Rivalries be damned!  Mike Komisarek splits Quebec for Ontario and joins the Toronto Maple Leafs. Say what you want about Brian Burke, but he targeted this “all-star” and made it happen.  5 years, $22.5 million.  My guess that leaves Scuderi at about $4 million a year.
• Steve Sullivan stays with Nashville, reupping for 2 years at $3.75 per.  A little high I think, but maybe I’m not as clued into what Sullivan brings to that franchise.
• A guy I would’ve liked the Sabres to grab, Sami Pahlsson, signed with the Blue Jackets for a quite affordable price.  3 years, $2.65 per.  The BJs scored themselves a very good checking center, one that was a lynchpin in the Ducks Cup run from a few years ago.  Good pick up for them.  Now if they could just get that Nash guy to sign an extension…
• Well take him off the board.  After spending his entire career, 7 years, in New Jersey, Brian Gionta has signed, get this, with the Montreal Canadiens. The deal is 5 year, $25 million.  And somehow…the Montreal forward corps is getting smaller?
• One of the bigger names in play, Marian Gaborik, is also off the board.  The Rangers have opened up the bank, handing out a ridiculous (IMO) 5 year contract, earning $7.5 million a year! Offloading one bad contract in Gomez, and taking on another, leaves Rangers fans wondering “WTF Sather?”  That’s quite the risk for an annual injury risk.  I’m at a loss on this one.

Hey, while we’re at it, since I’m going to be on here all day, if you’ve got any questions, or if you have any ideas with what the Sabres are gonna do, feel free to comment.  I’ll be about as tuned in as can be, so go for it.

Tags: Brian Gionta, Buffalo Sabres, Daniel Sedin, Erik Cole, Free Agency, Henrik Sedin