Videos Before Bedtime

The end of Day 1 of the Frenzy.....in videos....good night everyone!!!!!



Knuble a Cap.....




An early free agent recap.....




Steve Montador signing....




Some hard hits.....



I am OUT!

Dany Heatley Strikes Back...

Edmonton did its best. They sent their top brass in to woo Dany Heatley but in the end Heatley has decided to sleep on it again which means Ottawa will be on the hook for Heatley's 4 million dollar bonus. I do wonder if Eugene Melnyk will be sending a Christmas card to Heatley ever at this point.

Melnyk may just fight the bonus at this point but really he may have a hard time...a bonus is still a bonus no matter all the things you do to get a star player's life back on track after oh....causing the death of a best friend. Ultimately no one is sure if the deal will go down but we know that Heatley is putting the screws to Ottawa and enjoying every second of it.

Tune in tomorrow to see if Dany Heatley does eventually agree to the trade to Edmonton. Oh the fun of the frenzy!!!

Day One Winners And Losers

Everyone has to have them and look....top moves are great and all but who really took a hurting after day 1 and who shined? Well, we have winners, losers, and well the ugly. Here goes something.

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The Winners

Florida Panthers -- Hey they signed Ville Koistinen, Radek Dvorak and gave David Booth a nice six year deal at a price that will pay the young budding star well enough (4.25 mill). And they even got a nice backup (1b) goalie in Scott Clemmensen for a relatively cheap 1.2 million dollars per year. Today was truly good for the Panthers and they seem just about set for the new season.


Montreal Canadiens -- I know on the surface this is a ton of change the likes of Tampa Bay from last year BUT Montreal has a little more talent. They let Komisarek go and that in itself was very smart. No way he was worth 4.5 million per year. They signed Hal Gill, Brian Gionta, got Scott Gomez in a trade yesterday, and Mike Cammalleri. Then add Jaroslav Spacek and now at least Montreal has a little more to work with. They still have money to burn and will be interesting to see what they do tomorrow.


Vancouver Canucks -- They signed the Sedins for less than what they were asking technically. The Luongo extension will likely happen within the next week. Its been a pretty good week and with a great 1st round pick in Jordan Schroeder...Vancouver still has a little bit of $$$ to maybe go out and get another UFA. A solid job done by Mr. Nonis....I am surprised.


The Losers

New Jersey Devils -- Overall this is a better day than most would think. But obviously losing guys like Gionta, Madden, Rupp, and Clemmensen will have some effect. Look you knew this day had to come but the Devils really just resigned some of their players like Andy Greene, Johnny Oduya, and Travis Zajac was qualified (likely to be extended). The second oldest team in the NHL had to get younger and though they lost out on guys like Havlat, Cammalleri, etc. in day 1. It is only day 1 but they are a loser.


New York Islanders -- No one was willing to make Dwayne Rolosson more than a 1 year deal...then the Isles give him a two year deal for 5 million dollars. To make matters worse, they had several players they could have signed to get to and above the floor but blew it...most notably Mike Komisarek for one. The Isles have essentially since the drafting of John Tavares slid right back into the pattern of insanity and craziness that makes their fans wonder what they will do next THEN cringe.


New York Rangers -- Look technically on the surface they should have been neutral but the signing of Donald Brashear alone may set this team back. Marian Gaborik is actually more of a neutral signing because of the risks. However, don't they need a good PK center? Blair Betts is obviously gone. They still could not find a way to address their defense which will drive Henrik "Richter" Lundqvist to drink and drink heavily. The Rangers will also lose Nik Antropov at some point and who knows maybe Mr. Zherdev as well. It looks like the Rangers may improve a little but still lose enough to make Day 1 just barely a loss.


You Almost Won.....

Minnesota Wild -- Okay the signing of Martin Havlat was huge and it was for only 5 million per year. Greg Zanon was also another very smart signing. Minnesota was pensive most of the day but struck at two times when the time was right. If they nab Saku Koivu...it will make their team that much better off...and that may still happen tonight before some of us go to bed.


Tampa Bay Lightning -- Signing Ohlund was very nice and Matt Walker too. I do like Lukas Krajicek. Unlike last year they did not trip over themselves spending everything on 234 forwards. A much more subdued and calculated Lightning brass this time around the Frenzy.


THE UGLY

Chicago Blackhawks -- Signing Hossa was nice and everything but then you add Kopecky and Madden. On the surface it is not so bad but with the resignings they made and the nasty departure of Martin Havlat....there is a recipe for ugliness. Especially when you consider the salary cap will go down next year more than likely. Good luck Dale Tallon signing guys like Kane, Toews, and company when they become free agents. Now that really will be an impressive feat if they can fit everyone. Even Detroit realized they could not sign everyone. OUCH!


What will happen on Day 2? Well needless to say we will help you with the latest information to see who can help save their frenzy and who might make it worse. Good night everyone...almost??

Free Agent Frenzy (Signings As We Get Them)

We will be updating this throughout the day on the blog. Sort of a ledger if you will as to who has signed and hopefully for how much.

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Free Agent Frenzy (Day 1)

-- The Sedin twins sign twin 5 year, 30.5 million dollar deals. So it was not quite 6 million per....needed that extra 100,000 $

-- Tampa levels a surprise signing Matthias Ohlund to a deal. 7 yrs deal...3.75 mill cap hit per season....not bad at all. First 5 years at 22.5 million. Could set the market.

-- Alexei Kovalev to sign in Montreal....a 2 year deal at 4.4 million per. (not quite confirmed and not quite signed)

-- Colton Orr gets 4 year, 4 million dollar deal with the Leafs per TSN.

-- Andy Greene resigns with NJ...terms not disclosed.

-- Radek Dvorak gets 2 years for 3.4 million to stay with Florida.

-- David Booth gets a 6 year deal to resign with FLA for 25.5 million $

-- Steve Montador signs with Buffalo 2 yrs, 3.1 million

-- Marian Hossa signs a 12 year, 62.8 million dollar deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.

-- Dwayne Rolosson signs with the New York Islanders for 2 yrs, 5 million $.

-- Craig Anderson signing with Colorado 2 yrs, 3.6 million $.

-- Matt Walker signs with Tampa...4 yrs 6.8 million $.

-- Tomas Kopecky signs with Chicago....terms 2 yrs, 2.4 million $

-- Mike Knuble to sign with Caps (2.8 mill per and 2 years).

-- Donald Brashear signs with Rangers for 2 yrs, 2.8 million

-- Scott Niedermayer resigns for 1 yr at 6 million for the Ducks plus a bonus possibly.

-- Ty Conklin signs with the St. Louis Blues (terms TBA)

-- Nashville does pay Joel Ward 1.5 million per year. Two year deal.

-- Jaroslav Spacek signs 3 yr, 11.5 million $ deal with Boston.

-- Erik Cole just resigned with Carolina (2 years 5.8 million)

-- Nikolai Khabibulin to sign with Edmonton Oilers (4 yrs, 15 million)

-- Brian Boucher signs with Philadelphia for 2 yrs, 1.85 million

-- Lukas Krajicek signs an undisclosed deal with Tampa Bay.

-- Aaron Rome signs with Vancouver 1 year, 550K.

-- Scott Clemmensen signs with Florida for 3 yrs, 3.6 million $

-- Flyers sign F Ian Laperriere to 3 yr, 3.5 million $ deal.

-- Hal Gill signs 2 year, 4.5 million $ deal with Montreal.

-- Mike Rupp off to Pittsburgh for 2 years, 1.65 million $.

-- Kent Huskins resigns with Sharks 2 yrs, 3.4 million $.

-- David Koci gets 1 yr, 575 K to sign with Colorado.

-- Michael Cammalleri signs with Habs (5 yrs, 30 million $)

-- Sens sign Mike Brodeur and Martin St. Pierre (minor)

-- Greg Zanon to sign with Minnesota (3 yr deal, 5.2 million $)

-- Byron Bitz resigns with Boston (Terms TBD)

-- Vernon Fiddler to Phoenix for 1 million per season, 2 year term.

-- Mike Komisarek signs with Toronto (5 years 22.5 million $)

-- Steve Begin signs with Boston....1 yr, 850 K

-- Steve Sullivan signs 2 yrs, 7.5 million to stay in Nashville.

-- Columbus signs Sami Pahlsson for 3 years at 2.65 million per.

-- Mathieu Garon signs with Columbus for 2 years, 1.2 million per.

-- Jason Strudwick signs a 1 year deal with the Edmonton Oilers at 700 K.

-- Marian Gaborik signs 5 years, 37.5 million $ deal with Rangers.

-- Brian Gionta signs 5 years, 25 million $ with Montreal.

-- Fred Sjostrom signs a deal with the Calgary Flames. 2 years, 1.5 million.

-- John Madden leaves New Jersey for 2.75 million for 1 year.

-- Martin Havlat has signed with Minnesota (6 yrs, 30 million)

More as they come in folks.....we want to thank all the media, folks from twitter, and many more as their help today was amazing. Thanks so much and see you for Day 2 tomorrow.


Sincerely,

Chris Wassel

Director Of The Program

Show Outline For Tonight....

Like I have said...it is the day of days....July 1st! Kiss said it right...you want the best...you got the best. Tonight on The Program we guarantee 150 minutes of free agency...that is right. All the recap of yesterday and today with Dan, me, and Adam Rotter from SNYRangersblog.com. After all the Rangers set off the first fireworks yesterday afternoon. That was fun. Obviously there will be a ton on tap. Here is what we have.

The Program

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-- Intros

-- All the latest signings from today.

• Breakdowns of what happened

-- What happened yesterday

• Bouwmeester signs in Calgary
• The Heatley trade that was then wasn't
• Scott Gomez off to Montreal
• Much much more.....

-- The three hour mini frenzy.

• What was I doing?

-- Break time and promos

-- Quick blog and podcast news

-- Fans speak out (hey we want you to call in)

• Thoughts on Day 1

-- Winners and losers from Day 1

-- What people think of the Puck Daddy experiment.

-- Where do you get your hockey coverage from?

-- Break time with beer!!!

-- Rapid Fire (30 minute look ahead to day 2 + more)!


So expect a fireworks laden show. My phone is lighting up already and it isn't even 8am PT yet....so imagine what it will be like an hour from now. And of course listen to us at 8pm ET / 5 pm PT on Blog Talk Radio. The Program...straight hockey talk from totally insane beer chugging people. But hey you like it like that. Do not forget you can listen to us on ITunes as well...just take a nice search for podcasts and sports then hopefully smile. We will also have a few surprises on the show tonight. See you then!


Sincerely,

Chris Wassel

Director Of The Program

The Puck Daddy Experiment....

What if you crossed the Yule Log with a constant barrage of hockey information? Well you would get the Puck Daddy Free Agent Frenzy Chatterbox....a smattering of 12 live twitter accounts along with the best and latest news on the free agent front. This looks like a very interesting experience to say the least and I say at least check it out once every fifteen minutes or more once Noon ET hits because you may find out a late scoop and know which player your team may wind up getting.

Do not forget here is the link to said chatterbox. Should be a fun day.


Sincerely,

Chris Wassel

Director Of The Program

This Day In Hockey History (7/1)

Yes it is July 1st....and now today's video and moment. Gotta love the short, short version.



Holik's 2nd stint with NJ...tormenting the Rangers.

July 01, 2002

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New York Rangers signed free agent Bobby Holik, who had been with the New Jersey Devils.

Free Agent Frenzy Is Here!

Some Free Agents of 2009...not all of them.

Finally the day has arrived.....the Free Agent Frenzy! So what is going to happen today? Surely, we have several subplots along the way. Will Dany Heatley be traded? Where will Mike Komisarek head off to? Hey Mr. Hossa which team will you sign with today or tomorrow? There are still more questions than answers at this point and over the next several days...the answers will gradually come into focus.

Everyone remembers the Gomez and Drury signings from 2007...the one year deal to Hossa last year. So much money gets spent during the first few days of the frenzy. Our goal is to try and keep you updated on the latest names and games going on during the most precious of days....July 1st...also Canada Day.

So grab a beer with us...okay maybe a whole case. We will be talking to as many sources as we can stomach and more. Also to add a twist...here is the compensation for the offer sheets that could be offered also in the next week or two. Thanks to JJ Guerrero and HF Boards:

The new compensation levels for signing restricted free agents (RFA) are in. Via HF Boards:

$994,433 or below - No compensation
Over $994,433 to $1,506,717 - 3rd round pick
Over $1,506,717 to $3,013,433 - 2nd round pick
Over $3,013,433 to $4,520,150 - 1st round pick and 3rd round pick
Over $4,520,150 to $6,026,867 - 1st round pick, 2nd round pick and 3rd round pick
Over $6,026,867 to $7,533,584 - Two 1st round picks, 2nd round pick and 3rd round pick
Over $7,533,584 - Four 1st round picks

Needless to say this frenzy will be one that will be talked about for quite a long time. So join us during the day and evening for constant updates...only on The Program....where the beer is served ice chilled and is always on tap!!!!