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The free-agent merry-go-round

ERIC DUHATSCHEK

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 12:51 PM EST 30/06/08

Summer season brings limited supply and overwhelming demand, writes Eric Duhatschek ...Read the full article

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  1. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: BRIAN ROLSTON
    A leader and at his best when 'The Chips are Down'

    It appears Rolston doesn't like Fish on his jersey, so hope he goes to Omsk or someplace far, far away from ever playing against the dumb CaKuckleHeads again.--That guy is pure poison after the 15 min mark of the 3rd period.
  2. Captain Ontario from Canada writes: Darcy Tucker is the answer for many teams, such as the habs, who are soft.
  3. Captain Ontario from Canada writes: Hey, NY sports radio said that Mats Sundin and Darcy Tucker are both going to be courted with major dollars by the Rangers!

    Hmm. Mats Tucker Avery the Rangers forwards and Henrik.

    Detroit watch out.
  4. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Great article as per usual Mr. Dahatschuk.

    I have been saying for months that this years free agent crop sux.

    Sundin, Hossa.... and then?

    Brian Campbell will certainly be a great pick up for someone. Would love to see Hossa in SJ so they can finally fulfill their destiny.

    Ottawa adding Brian Campbell would be another scoop and elevate the Sens back to contenders.

    Of course Sundin in Montreal would hurt.... but I could suffer through that to see him win a cup and Montreal really celebrate their anniversary.

    Not sure why you are considering the NYR as contenders Mr. Dahatschuk... They have a weak D and I don't see Jagr going back there.

    Hossa in Boston puts the bruins near the top of the favourites list. They have some fine young rookies on that team.

    Cheers.
  5. J K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: Even though it is not a great free agent market, surely nobody will give a big contract for Wade Redden. I would hope he would only get a 1 or 2 year contract at about 75% of his current salary.

    Rather than reviewing who is not available, I think it would have been more valuable for Eric to provide his opinion on the other options. For example, will someone put out another over the top offer sheet to a restricted free agent as Kevin Lowe did for Thomas Vanek last year. Will there be more trades post draft, pre-training camp than in previous years. Is there another team in financial straights like Nashville last year that would be willing to trade away some really good players. Given the limited number of good quality UFA's, these are the really interesting questions.
  6. Paul Connelly from Toronto, Canada writes: Captain Ontario:

    Here's one habs fan who doesn't want Tucker back. Not sure "soft" is the problem. Lack of experience in the crunch is more of an issue. I'd much rather have Sundin (and allow Loucks to deal with the hurt).
  7. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: J K... Agree with you to a point... but I think Eric was suggesting in his article that the young free agent thing we thought was going to happen... isn't and won't.

    Redden will resurrect his career somewhere.... when paired with the right type of Dman.

    Offer sheets? Not for the top line players... not for multiple first rounders... Second level offer sheets are going to happen. I would have liked to have seen a list of those as well.

    The Nashvilles etc this year have to raise their payrolls to the minimum 40m.... only sell offs are going to happen out of teams like Anaheim who are under serious cap pressure.

    Check out nhlnumbers.com

    Cheers
  8. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Agree with you Paul.... don't see Tucker in Montreal. Ottawa maybe.

    More likely Calgary.

    Glad to hear you can suffer thru my pain as far as Sundin goes though.

    Cheers
  9. James C from Shenzhen, China writes: jarome iginla deserves a lot of respect for not being greedy, when he could have had even more money than he already does, putting the team first. this is what a real leader does. well done to him.
  10. Allan Martel from Canada writes: There is as much chance of Darcy Tucker ending up in Ottawa as there is for a snowball in hell. Mike Keenan is also not that stupid.

    How about Aneheim so Tucker can play under Burke for one year before returning - rejuvenated and triumphant - to the Leafs once Burke arrives? Makes as much sense as Ottawa - yes - none.

    I see Tucker in Florida with either the Marlins or the Lightening to attract snowbirds who remember the Leafs last Cup win. He can play golf instead of attending practices.

    Ottawa will go after Brian Campbell as their number one priority and then will look for second line scoring, another of their chronic "holes' to fill.

    As to goaltending, they will wait and see who's available either as a number one or a backup and they may package Gerber as part of a trade to take place over the next few days.
  11. The Seeker from Toronto, Canada writes: Allan Martel from Canada writes:

    'I see Tucker in Florida with either the Marlins or the Lightening to attract snowbirds who remember the Leafs last Cup win.'

    _______________________________________________________

    Hmm, I'd say he would also attract the snowbirds who still have living relatives who may remember reading about the last time the Sens actually won the Cup, but that was so, so long ago.

    When your team wins the cup, you have bragging rights - and a Stanley Cup appearance (when your team choked, yet again) doesn't mean anything, chuckles.
  12. jimmie rabbit from toronto, Canada writes: some team should sign up the hanson bros from minnesota they are available, work cheap, and add muscle up front
  13. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: The Seeker from Toronto, Canada For your team, 41 yrs and counting. And u might as well get back to grade 4, cause you better learn to count past 100.
  14. the doooch from Windsor, Canada writes: Mr Captain Ontario....
    Hmm. Mats Tucker Avery the Rangers forwards and Henrik.
    Detroit watch out.

    ummmmm ... Avery is a free agent and may not be back in NY. Good luck to NYR in signing Sundin, but Detroit is a better fit and gives him a chance at winning which he deserves. Tucker... been a while since I have seen the real side show bob.

    Also NYR and Detroit will play maybe twice a year unless meeting in the finals. I do not think Henrick is having trouble sleeping thinking about this while he lays next to his supermodel girlfriend
  15. Neil No more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: The only free agent signing to fit in with his team was noted as Rafalski.

    Does that mean if the team doesn't win the cup, the signing doesn't work out?
  16. Neil No more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: PC, Martel, and all other Sens fans - Heard a trade for Lalime might happen, or is Gerber the man?

    What's the deal with Vermette, Lee, and Mezjaros?

    Campbell would be a nice fit on D - I would think they're energy is going that way, and maybe Huet as well or on e or the other.

    What's the latest word?

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