Tumbling Dice - Signing Free Agents is a Gamble
by Bob Wage on Jun 30, 2008 11:57 PM EDT
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PrintTomorrow will be the beginning of a new era for several free agents who will receive a contract which will set them up for life. Many teams and their fans will be hoping that a key signing or two will be enough to put them into the top echelon of the NHL.
Sometimes it works out that way, but sometimes it doesn't.
For instance, last year the Los Angeles Kings thought that they were strengthening their club when they signed highly sought after forwards Michal Handzus and Kyle Calder. Handzus signed for $16 million over 4 years but ended up only scoring 7 goals in 82 games last year. Ouch.
Calder was a bit better as he scored 7 goals in 65 games for 2.7 million, but that is still a ton of money for low production.
At this time last year, the Kings had to feel pretty good about themselves because they had signed two of their targets. So be careful what you wish for Caniacs.
On the otherhand, a General Manager can't sit on his hands for too long and end up empty-handed. The fan base won't stand for it, and it's impossible to improve your squad if you don't attempt to make changes.
I have had a chance to read some of the local news and I've seen that Jim Rutherford was quoted as saying that this will be a busy week. Regardless, I don't see a huge free agent signing for the Canes, although as mentioned previously, there could be a couple of minor acquisitions.
Rutherford is known for biding his time and looking for bargains in the free agent market. The best bargains don't usually manifest on opening day, so Caniacs shouldn't be holding their breath waiting for announcements at noon tomorrow.
Today, John Forslund was quoted as saying that Anton Babchuk is close to being signed. That is not a huge surprise as we have been noting that possibility here on the blog over the past few weeks.
Of course there is also a possible major trade looming which could be announced at any time.
It's an exciting time, and it's fun to watch the player movements all around the league.
Speaking of which, the Tampa Bay Lightning are opening eyes around the league with their moves. They signed Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts and also acquired the rights to Brian Rolston. This team could be one to watch next season.
While Barry Melrose has been out of the coaching ranks for umpteen years, the man is not an idiot. He has had his fingertip on the pulse of the league for several years while working for ESPN and he might not be the push-over many in the league think he will be. I'm still impressed with this ownership group.
Will the "Southleast" Division make a statement next season?
On a personal front, my vacation is going by quickly but it's been enjoyable. I have "tumbling dice" on my mind because of some recent luck on the craps tables at the Turning Stone Casino. It's a vice, but it is hard to match the adrenaline rush of a hot table when the shooter is hitting his points.
But as we all know, the dice can giveth and the dice can taketh away. I just make up my mind ahead of time that I will make a certain annual contribution to the Oneida Indian Reservation, and if I come out ahead of that, then I can't complain.
Before I sign off, I hope all of our Canadian friends have a Happy Canada Day!
Rolling Stones
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Sure, Tampa looks like they’re going to be able to put the puck in the net, but are they going to be able to keep the puck out of their own?
by John on Jul 1, 2008 8:07 AM EDT reply actions
What happens at an indian casino, stays at an indian casino.
by Wufpirate on Jul 1, 2008 8:11 AM EDT reply actions
Bubba,
Thanks as always for the update. We are soo lucky to have a blogger of your caliber covering our beloved Canes. Babchuk back from exile?
Guess the new russian super league isn’t much of a threat to the NHL, except for washed up players looking for a huge payday, read John Grahame. Have a strong feeling we may have seen Eric Cole’s last game as a Cane, although I hope not. Can you believe that Pitkanen is only 24? Seems like he has been in the rumour mill for years….Happy Canada eh!
by Swenk on Jul 1, 2008 8:23 AM EDT reply actions
Liles is out of the picture – the Avs resigned him for 4 years. Also, the Lightning signed Prospal and Roberts.
by mojo944 on Jul 1, 2008 10:45 AM EDT reply actions
lets say the hurricanes sign babchuck do you think we will also trade cole
by canesrdabest on Jul 1, 2008 10:53 AM EDT reply actions
if the hurricanes sign babchuk do you think they will also trade cole
by canescup on Jul 1, 2008 10:55 AM EDT reply actions
ouch this hurts.
i will miss seeing that man go hard to the net.
i always looked forward to it.
by chris on Jul 1, 2008 12:19 PM EDT reply actions
BUBBA
PLEASE make an entry giving us all the reasons why erik cole is worth giving away for pitkanen.
i need to be reassured.
by chris on Jul 1, 2008 12:20 PM EDT reply actions
Alright, Ruutu—time to show us that you are the player the Blackhawks thought they had drafted!
I hate to see Cole go, but if this is what it takes to make the playoffs, then so be it.
by John on Jul 1, 2008 12:22 PM EDT reply actions
I’m almost fell off my chair when Don and AJ (my daily dose of NHL Live) announced the Cole deal…. even though I expected him to go. Cole will be sorely missed!! We certainly cannot fault our GM for his active efforts this year as well as his transparency in involving the fans in his thinking.
by SamsonovFan on Jul 1, 2008 12:41 PM EDT reply actions
Does anyone else think that maybe we could of gotten maybe a draft pick, or a prospect or something else to go along with Pitkanen? Also what will Pitkanens salary be?
by TylerA on Jul 1, 2008 12:47 PM EDT reply actions
I think pitkanen is a restricted free agent
by canesrdabest on Jul 1, 2008 12:54 PM EDT reply actions
Pitkanen is young (24) and big (6’3") and seen to be on the upswing in his career. Cole is considered to be on the down side, but still productive. Looking forward, we might have gotten the better of this deal. Defensemen are at a premium, and (I hate saying anything bad about Cole) 30 year old injury prone power forwards are not as sought after.
by marc on Jul 1, 2008 1:02 PM EDT reply actions
pitkanen is always injured, but so is cole, so i guess that’s a wash.
why couldn’t we have gone after zidlicky instead?
by repenttokyo on Jul 1, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions
btw bubba – you got mentioned on puck daddy:
by repenttokyo on Jul 1, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply actions
btw bubba – you got quote on puckdaddy, but it won;t let me post the link.
by repenttokyo on Jul 1, 2008 2:14 PM EDT reply actions
“The Hurricanes have signed Tim Conboy to two years and Ryan Bayda and Wade Brookbank to one year.”
by repenttokyo on Jul 1, 2008 2:57 PM EDT reply actions
Would Laraque sign with ‘Canes? Pittsburgh doesn’t want him, and he’s tougher than Hordichuk….
by marc on Jul 1, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions
caps sign thedore we are not going to win our divison
by canescup on Jul 1, 2008 3:35 PM EDT reply actions
Why did the caps sign theodore they already have huet?
by canescup on Jul 1, 2008 3:37 PM EDT reply actions
Stillman just signed with Florida! That will make for some interesting games next year. Crapitals signed Jose Theodore, and Huets gone.
by TylerA on Jul 1, 2008 4:07 PM EDT reply actions
Loosing Colesy hurts, but the pairing of Pitkanen and Timmay could give us a legitimate top pairing for the first time in Carolina. There are no shortage of big shots on the pp now, Babchuk, Jose Corvo, and Pitkanen. Plus, Psycho Killer Conboy back in the family!!!!
by Swenk on Jul 1, 2008 4:19 PM EDT reply actions
Think the Canes are done for the offseason now? Or does JR have something else down his sleeve?
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=367333&page=NewsPage&service=page
Looking at that last line about the Oilers LW, how does this trade make any sense for them?
by mojo944 on Jul 1, 2008 6:25 PM EDT reply actions
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