Now that the first rush is done, all of the Christmas gifts have been opened, well at least all of the fun ones. There’s still those gifts that Aunt Bunny sent to unwrap… but she normally sends socks and underwear. Where’s the fun in that? We want the BatCave Command Center that plays awesome sounds and projects the BatMobile out at blinding speeds not a six pack of new BVD's!
According to a consensus of media, the winners of UFA Season 2014 are… Dallas, St. Louis and Minnesota. They are the ones that opened the Cabbage Patch Kids, Furbees and new bicycles. They will most definitely be winning the cup next season because they won UFA season. Ummmm… maybe or more probably... maybe not.
In 2013 the declared winners of the first few days of UFA season were the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders. In 2012, the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and Tampa Bay Lightning were declared the winners. In 2011, the NY Rangers, Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres were dubbed the winners. Three years, nine teams and no cups… and many of the contracts signed during those times have either been the subjects of compliance buyouts or simple salary dump trades. As much fun as we have on July 1, it does need to be said… loudly and repeatedly…
Stanley Cups aren’t won in the first few days of July.
At least in the following season… the jury is certainly out on teams that were declared winners in previous seasons, especially a team that appears to be on an upward path like Minnesota, but they have been damned with the “winner” label this year. You can certainly make the case that the signings of 2011 were the base for the Rangers run last season. You can also make the case that Buffalo’s spending spree in the same year has put the team is a position where they are worse off now than they were when declared the winner.
OK Paul... I hear you say... What is the point to all this?
Well… we are at the “socks and underwear” point of free agent season. This is where the dirty work gets done, after all the sexy picks have been made. The Predators are still looking for two pieces… a top line center and a veteran defenceman. So… who’s left? First, at center…
Derek Roy – The Tennessean’s Josh Cooper has been out front on this one. The 31 year old did not have a great season last year and is looking to rebound. Another one of those “low risk / high reward” type of acquisitions, just not sure how well Roy would fit into new coach Peter Laviolette's system?
Mike Ribeiro - This one would go down in the “take a BIG chance” file. Like a chance of Jere Karalahti proportions. Ribiero still wants to play according to several reports and the 34 year old could be a bargain. Not sure that Nashville would be willing to take that chance after a VERY public release from Phoenix.
Stand Pat - The Olli Jokinen acquisition makes this more palatable… unless the Lecavalier deal actually happens.
On the blueline… a few fascinating potentials
Anton Volchenkov - The 32 year old Russian was a buyout from the New Jersey Devils. 6’1” and 225 pounds, the left shooting blueliner is a solid shot blocker and could be a nice veteran add to the third pairing.
Sami Salo - The injury-prone 39 year old is coming off a solid season with the Tampa Bay Lightning and could have another solid season or two in him. Known for his hard shot and hockey smarts, again… good short term potential for developing younger players.
Options are out there… and these are only the free agent route. It would not surprise me if a trade happens between now and September to sure these spots up.
For this week, focus will shift to prospects as the annual Development Camp begins today.
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Random Notes
- Thoughts, prayers and best wishes to Ottawa GM Bryan Murray as the team announced he has been diagnosed with cancer.
- The Predators did announce the signing of Joe Piskula to another two-way contract. He got a cup of coffee with the big team last season, but spent the majority of last year in Milwaukee.
- Interesting analysis going on about “why free agents don’t want to come to Nashville” over the weekend. Now that meme is spreading to include Detroit. Funny how perceptions become reality.
- David Legwand signs in Ottawa, two years, six million. Word was that Leggy was looking for four years but that wasn’t there.
- The arbitration list is growing… led by PK Subban in Montreal. Nashville is on this list as Mattias Ekholm filled for salary arbitration’s rather ugly process. Other notable names, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello and Chris Kreider of the Rangers and two former Predators, Nick Spaling (Pittsburgh) and Cody Franson (Toronto.)
- If you haven’t seen this video… check it out. Great insight into trades and how they go down regarding the Predators/Penguins deal from the draft floor.
- Don’t forget to join us on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena for the Prospect Game. Puck drop is at around 3:30pm… come get you summer hockey fix!
- Along with the Prospect Game, Saturday is an Open House Day at Bridgestone Arena, featuring the always popular Used Equipment Sale, that begins at 11:15am for season ticket holders, 12:30 for the general public. Single game tickets for the 2014-15 season go on sale at noon. There will be a free public skate at 1:30pm, bring your own skates and a prospect autograph session after the scrimmage.
- Yikes… CapGeek has some interesting numbers as Washington, Tampa Bay and Florida spending over $190 between them… The Caps spending $69 million, the Bolts spent $65 million and the Panthers dropped $60 million as the top three spenders so far.
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