Free Agent Frenzy is Here!
Flyers officially kick off July 1st festivities by acquiring Andrej Mezaros from the Lightning in exchange for a 2nd round pick. Rumors of Boston centre Marc Savard potentially heading out west to Calgary as well.
As for the Maple Leafs, they will have $10.5 million in cap space to play with today, though that figure does not include the possible removal of Kaberle’s $4.25 million via trade or Finger’s $3.5 million as a potential waiver candidate.
The Leafs have been linked to defenseman Dan Hamhuis, forwards Raffi Torres and Colby Armstrong, and will also kick the tires on sniper Ilya Kovalchuk. Darren Dreger believes the club will look at adding a 3rd line forward along with a defenseman to “stockpile for later deals”. Stay tuned to this blog for updates on signings throughout the day.
12:01 pm – Martin Biron to the Rangers for 2 years @ $875 k per season. Either Sather talks really fast, or tampering rules are a joke.
12:05 pm – Interesting to hear that Burke is not in Toronto. Last season, he was in Sweden meeting with Gustavsson on July 1st while Nonis negotiated the Komisarek and Beauchemin contracts. Maybe he’s meeting face-to-face with a high end NHL free agent or European free agent? German power foward Marcel Muller comes to mind.
12:19 pm – Gonchar lands in Ottawa for 3 years @ $5.5 million per season with a NTC. Bold move. Meanwhile, Tanguay lands in Calgary for 1 year @ just $1.7 million. Nice bargain there.
12:23 pm – Coburn re-signs in Philly for 2 years @ $3.2 million per season.
12:28 pm – Bob Mckenzie notes that Savard for Regher is a big consideration for both sides.
12:33 pm – Sportsnet hears that Savard would not want to go to Western Canada.
12:36 pm – Lebrun says not much action on Kaberle according to a Leafs source.
12:38 pm – TSN hears that there is at least one significant offer on the table for Paul Martin.
12:47 pm – Kypreos explains that the Gonchar signing now sets Paul Martin’s market value in the $5 – $5.5 million range. McKenzie says Pittsburgh and Martin really like each other.
1:05 pm – Flames’ season ticket holders told something big is coming, Dallas Dave feels it could be Kovalchuk. St. Louis gets a 4 year extension from Tampa @ $5.625 million per season.
1:10 pm – Dreger reports that Pittsburgh has signed defenseman Z. Michalek for 5 years @ $4 million per season.
1:13 pm – TFP: Pens are out of the mix for Paul Martin.
1:14 pm – Sportsnet hears that Ryan Callahan could be traded to the Flames.
1:22 pm – Penguins still anticipate roughly $7 million left in cap space – enough for Martin and a veteran winger.
1:29 pm – Montreal gets Alex Auld for 1 year @ $1 million to back up Carey Price.
1:35 pm – Leafs get Armstrong for 3 years @ $ 3 million per season. A tad expensive but a good player.
1:51 pm – Cox: After Armstrong, next forward on Leafs list may be Eric Nsytrom.
2:03 pm – Custance: Told the Maple Leafs are currently not in the mix for Ilya Kovalchuk.
2:24 pm – Leafs add forward Joey Crabb as depth for the Marlies. Scored 24 goals last season for the Wolves.
2:29 pm – Paul Martin signs in Pittsburgh.
2:34 pm – Lebrun: Leafs believe they are still in the mix for Hamhuis
2:37 pm – Lebrun: If LA strikes out on Hamhuis as well… you gotta think they’ll phone Toronto back about kaberle….
2:43 pm – Martin gets 5 years @ $5 million per season.
2:47 pm – Lebrun: New Jersey another team that could jump in on Kaberle if they can’t replace Martin
3:14 pm – Ray Whitney goes to Phoenix for 2 years @ $3 million per year. Fantastic value.
3:23 pm – Russo explains that Lombardi may be looking for upwards of $4 million on a long-term deal. Yikes, scratch Toronto off the list then if that’s the case.
3:24 pm – Custance: Just told the Canucks have emerged as the frontrunner for Hamhuis.
3:40 pm – James Mirtle: Told Leafs not pursuing Raffi Torres as of yet. Armstrong may have filled that role.
4:04 pm – Multiple sources saying Hamhuis to Vancouver is very close.
5:09 pm – Burke: Leafs done for today. Will still be involved with free agency.
