CHICAGO, Ill – There were many stories on July 1st in the first eleven hours of the 2008-09 free agency period, but a key one was the goaltenders moving around as Washington started a chain reaction after signing Jose Theodore from the Colorado Avalanche.
Another big story was the signing of Brian Campbell with the Chicago Blackhawks for an average of over $7 million a year for eight-years.
Amongst others, big name free agents Mats Sundin and Marian Hossa are still on the market as of this morning.
According to a report in TSN.ca the Vancouver Canucks have made the first move of the morning by signing Ryan Johnson to a two-year contract.
Please see below for a team-by-team update as of 8 am EST on Wednesday, July 2.
Photo courtesy of the NHL
Washington defenseman Mike Green parlayed an 18 goal, 56 point season into a four-year deal worth approximately $5.25 million per year. The move came just hours before the free agency market opens at noon EST today.
In other free agency news several teams have re-signed RFA’s or UFA’s before they hit the market. To date the Calgary Flames have re-signed Daymond Langkow, Eric Nystrom, Curtis McElhinney and Craig Conroy while the Ottawa Senators kept Chris Kelly from hitting the market. Nashville signed potential RFA starting netminder Dan Ellis, the San Jose Sharks have re-upped Jeremy Roenick, Jody Shelley and Bryan Boucher, Buffalo inked Paul Gaustad and the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings retained the services of Andreas Lilja.
Some of the biggest free agency news has taken place in Tampa Bay where the club traded for the rights of Vaclav Prospal from Philadelphia, Brian Rolston from Minnesota and Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts from Pittsburgh. With the exception of Rolston, all the acquired players have been signed by the Lightning.
The signing of Green was essential to the Capitals who are looking to support NHL MVP Alexander Ovechkin with an upgraded roster in an attempt to advance further in the playoffs. The signing of Green was essential as he is one of top scoring defensemen in the NHL.
“Mike has developed into an impact defenceman in the short time since we drafted him, and he will be a key part of our team moving forward,” said Capitals vice president and general manager George McPhee to a TSN.CA staff member. “We look forward to his further contributions as we continue to improve the hockey club.”
Team by team on July 1
Anaheim resigned Corey Perry to a five-year pact averaging over $5 million per year. Atlanta-no moves. Boston signed Michael Ryder and collegiate free agent Blake Wheeler. Buffalo signed Patrick Lalime to back up Ryan Miller. Calgary acquired Rene Bourque from the Chicago Blackhawks for a conditional 2nd round pick. Carolina signed Anton Babchuk and traded Erik Cole to Edmonton for Joni Pitkanen.
Chicago signed Campbell and netminder Christobel Huet. Colorado apparently likes Toronto’s scrapped players as they signed Darcy Tucker and Andrew Raycroft. Columbus signed Mike Commodore and traded Gilbert Brule to Edmonton for Raffi Torres. Dallas made no moves today. Detroit signed Ty Conklin and re-signed Brad Stuart. Edmonton made trades to bring in Brule and Cole. Florida signed Cory Stillman.
Los Angeles helped Philadelphia divest a contract when they acquired Denis Gauthier and a 2010 2nd round pick from the Flyers for minor-leaguers Patrick Hersley and Ned Lukacevic. Minnesota signed Craig Weller, Andrew Brunette, Barry Brust and acquired Marek Zidlicky from Nashville for Ryan Jones and a 2nd round pick in 2009. Montreal re-signed Andrei Kostitsyn, Nashville made the Zidlicky trade and the New Jersey Devils took a step back in time with the signings of ex-Devils Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik. The team also retained the rights to Jay Pandolfo, David Clarkson, Barry Tallackson and Bryce Salvador while declining an option on Sergei Brylin. In New York the Islanders signed Mark Streit while the Rangers picked up Wade Redden, Patrick Rismiller and Aaron Voros while retaining Steve Valiquette and Michal Rozsival.
Ottawa claimed Alex Auld as their new backup goaltender, Philadelphia dumped the Gauthier contract ($2 million) and signed Nate Raduns, Glen Metropolit, Ossi Vaananen while Phoenix picked up Todd Fedoruk and Kurt Sauer. Pittsburgh started their defense of the Eastern Conference title by signing Eric Godard and the retention of Mark Eaton and Pascal Dupuis. San Jose made no moves and the St. Louis Blues matched Vancouver’s offer sheet for RFA David Backes.
Tampa Bay continued to make waves with the signing of David Koci, Olaf Kolzig, Adam Hall and Radim Vrbata since our last update, Toronto signed Niklas Hagman, Curtis Joseph and Jeff Finger. Vancouver had an offer sheet for Backes matched by the Blues, but they did sign Darcy Hordichuk and Kyle Wellwood and finally the Capitals signed Theodore and Green.
Stay tuned to PHN during the free agency period as we update further signings and developments.
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