Darcy Hordichuk gets a one year, one way deal for 750k with the Edmonton Oilers. They finally get rid of one unwilling scrapper in Zach Stortini and they bring in another. Hordichuk’s agent deserves 25% of the salary just for convincing a team to take his client. I love rough and tumble hockey more than anyone else, but the Kamsack native is past his prime, unless he plays like he did in Nashville.
Scott Howson and the Columbus Blue Jackets deserve major kudos for getting Jeff Carter, while not having to trade Ryan Johansen. While the price was high the signing of James Wishniewski was an upgrade. But the teams philosophy in net is mystifying at best. Their goaltending last year was below average. When or if Steve Mason, lays another egg, their backup plan is Mark Dekanich. Who the f**k is Mark Dekanich? If you follow the AHL you’d have an idea. Reason being he’s had three great seasons in the AHL, but tell me the last 25 year old AHL goalie to be a proven NHLer? Last one that comes to mind is Jason Labarbera, and the last time I checked he’s been an ok backup. They better pray this risk pays off, if not this could be another nail in the coffin for hockey in Columbus.
One year after signing Derek Boogaard (god rest his soul) to a four year 1.65 million contract, the Rangers do almost do the exact same type of a deal for Mike Rupp. While the Cleveland Ohio native is more of a useful player, is he really worth 3 years @ 1.5 million per year? He’s been around a while, and has a career high 13 goals, 49 goals in 497 NHL games. Again good for the player, but what was the team thinking.
Andrew Brunette is one of those underappreciated veterans who’s been around forever. He signed with the Blackhawks, one year @ 2 million. This could be the bargain of the decade, a top six forward who will play with a Sharp or Hossa, his numbers will only get better. Brunette had 18 goals and 46 points with the talentless Minnesota Wild last year.
Have you ever heard of Aaron Gagnon, Andrew Gordon? Both smaller, AHL forwards were given two year deals by Winnipeg and Anaheim, the second year of the deals gives both one-way money. Other teams are doing the same thing, Joey Macdonald and Matt Ellis have the same types of deals with their respective clubs.
Similar to 2010, the Vancouver Canucks have given minor leaguers one way contracts. Last year it was Joel Perrault and Jonas Anderson, both spent the majority of the season in Manitoba. This year they’ve given Andrew Ebbett and Mark Mancari one-way contracts, if they’re not in the AHL, they’ll be fourth liners at best in Vancouver.
Kudos to Tim Brent and Anthony Stewart, both guys had career years last year and both earned themselves a two-year guaranteed contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. As a Leaf and a Jet fan, I was disappointed to see both guys move elsewhere.
About time the blogging came back. Brent will be missed in TO
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