Silly season earned its name yesterday. Free agency began with simply crazy, “game-changer” money being thrown at role players and/or crazy term. Want proof? Here’s a few examples…

- Dave Bolland – 5 years @ $27.5 million from Florida
- Mike Cammalleri – 5 years @ $25 million from New Jersey
- Brooks Orpik – 5 years @ $27 million from Washington
- Matt NIskanen – 7 years @ $40.25 million from Washington

Perhaps a sign of the desperation from Washington ownership that two of those crazy moves came from the Nation’s Capital… you have to wonder how Barry Trotz feels about having an unlimited budget. But the deal that defined how silly yesterday got came from Canada… Calgary no less.

- Deryk Engelland- 3 years @ $8.7 million

That’s not a typo. Engelland made about half a million last season as a bottom pair blueliner for Pittsburgh and got a raise of almost 500%! The ultimate definition of silly. Look, I’m not criticizing the players here. They are just taking what is being offered and God love ‘em for it. Some owners and GM’s have more money than sense and showed it yesterday. The final data point… over half a billion dollars was spent in the five hours between Noon and 5pm eastern.

Nashville stayed on the sidelines yesterday. Frustrating for fans of the fang, especially given what the rest of the division did yesterday, adding big names to their rosters and big bucks to their payrolls, but patience is needed right now. There are still options on the table and not all of them are in free agency. Rumors were flying at 501 Broadway about potential trades for the number one center this team needs. Deals for Vincent Lacavalier and Joe Thorton dominated the rumor mill yesterday but no deal was announced, and no signing made.

Day two of (with a nod to Monty Python) Very silly season dawns…

---------------------------------

Random Notes

- Former Predator David Legwand is becoming the hot commodity, being chased by a couple of teams including Minnesota, Columbus and Pittsburgh… timing could work for him.

- While I think the NJ signing of Cammalleri was WAAAAY over paying, I do think they made a very nice signing with Martin Havlat, one year at $1.5 is a good deal for the club.

- Mathieu Perreault signed in Winnipeg, good pickup for the Jets at only $3 million a year.

- Former Pred fave Anders Lindback is on the move, signing in Dallas.

- Speaking of Dallas, they picked up Ales Hemsky, 3 years at $4 million per… could be a very good complimentary player on this team.

- You have to wonder if the Florida Panthers have a clear vision of what they want to be and how they want to get there. Trying to figure the logic behind the signings of Bolland, Willie Mitchell, Jussi Jokinen and Shawn Thorton is daunting. Dale Tallon has done this before, but I’m having a hard time seeing the vision… if there is one.

- I thought that going to the Eastern Conference was going to be good for the Detroit Red Wings… they were turned down by multiple players who took less money elsewhere. The bloom may definitely be off the rose in Hockeytown.

- The signing of Brad Richards in Chicago has me wondering…does he regain his magic on a team where he isn’t “the man?” A role he obviously did not relish in New York. But it’s a nice low-risk / high potential reward move for the Hawks.

--------------------------------------

You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game! You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1

Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the link.

-------------------------------------

SlapShot Radio’s Annual Road Trip is back… get more information on the SlapShot Radio Facebook page.

Don’t forget to visit our season’s advertisers… The Wine Shoppe at Green Hills, Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry (615-872-7762), Nolensville Collision Repair Center and Burger Republic, check their excellent menu out at their website, Defend Quality… Burger Republic.

Our entire season of podcasts are posted… Click here to download or listen to any of them.

-------------------------------------

KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information, click here.

Join the Discussion: » 51 Comments » Post New Comment

» The time has come

» Whining through Game 3

» Playoff Picks

» Waiting for he playoffs

» A special night in Smashville