Shortly after the NHL and the players’ association finally agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement, the rush was on. So much to do, so little time.
For six days, NHL teams could buy out the contracts of veterans at two-thirds their salaries and not have that money count against the new $39 million cap. And some high-profile players were bought out, including the Rangers’ Bobby Holik, the Flyers’ Tony Amonte and John LeClair and the Red Wings’ Derian Hatcher.
And then came the fun part: all the signings of unrestricted free agents, with the moves and the money weighted against the new payroll limits.
It’s way too soon to pass judgment, but we’ll do it anyway.
BEST SIGNING, PERIOD
Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim
The price was steep under the new order – $6.75 million for this season – but getting one of the best hybrid defensemen in the game is worth it. And the concept should also further put to rest the thought that Colorado should have bought out Rob Blake.
BEST SIGNING, BANG FOR THE BUCK
Curtis Joseph, Phoenix
Cujo handled the mess in Detroit with class, and at $900,000 a season, he’s a bargain goalie. And that’s even more the case now after the Coyotes’ other goalie, Brian Boucher, suffered a severe groin muscle injury during the exhibition season.
RISKIEST SIGNING
Peter Forsberg, Philadelphia
Committing $5.75 million to Foppa is worth it if he stays healthy, but potentially debilitating under the cap system if he doesn’t. Of course, that can be said about any high-priced player, but Forsberg’s long list of injury and health problems heightens the risk.
MOST SURPRISING SIGNINGS
Nikolai Khabibulin and Adrian Aucoin, Chicago
There was nothing wrong with signing the goalie and the defenseman – in fact, these were praiseworthy moves – but given the Blackhawks’ previous spendthrift ways, this was confirmation that, well, the NHL isn’t Kansas anymore.
