Canucks add another overpaid ex Florida Panther

            Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Wade Redden and Bobby Holik; those are just four examples of one team in the New York Rangers, that went for the homerun and struck out. Other teams annually make those mistakes; at least two or three teams have made a similar mistake over the past few days.

Canuck get third overpaid Panther

            Last week when the Calgary Flames signed veteran Dennis Wideman to a five year 5.25 million p/y deal; it set the table for Jason Garrison and soon to be signed de-man Matt Carle. Garrison signed with his hometown Vancouver Canucks for what some preserve was a “hometown discount”. Could he have made more than 4.6 million per year? Probably, but it was the six year term that I found shocking, keep in mind, no one else on day 1 of free-agency even got a five year deal, but the Canucks sign off on 6 years? The former Nanaimo Clipper will be entering his third full NHL season. Some will say well what about his 16 goals and 33 points? My comeback to that would be this, he had 3 goals since February 10^th this in the middle of the playoff attempts of then his team in Florida. People complain about Olli Jokinen about not being a clutch performer, add Garrison to that list. The one good thing about Garrison is this; in the 2010-11 season it was him and current Panther Mike Weaver as the shutdown pair for Florida. But again I will repeat this; you give a 27-year-old a six year deal; that’s played four pro seasons; half of which were in the AHL.

            Garrison will have some familiar faces; ex team-mates from Florida who are all overpaid and not going anywhere anytime soon. David Booth a one-time top six forward has three more years at 4.2 million. Then there is Keith Ballard who the Canucks cannot give away for free; again three seasons left at 4.2 million.

Habs cough up 10 million for Prust

            First things first; I have absolutely nothing against Brandon Prust; he’s this era’s Randy Mckay a forward that can play quality bottom six minutes, score 15 goals or more and can kill penalties. Prust got an average of 2.5 million for the next four years; including 3 million for 2012-13? I just hope he doesn’t come to regret signing this contract; meaning being buried in the AHL come year 3 or 4.

            But Prust is just what the doctor ordered in Montreal; he and Travis Moen give them a mean one-two punch.

Hudler gets 4x4

            I would like to say I’m surprised, but I wasn’t when Jiri Hudler got 4 million per for the next four years. That to me is allot of money for a guy who’s scored 20 goals twice along with 50 points. The hope obviously is that he takes it to the next level by centering Jarome Iginla.

Two other surprises on July 1; Alexei Ponikarvsky gets reunited with former line mate Nik Antropov and will make 1.8 million per year. Detroit brings back Mikael Sameulson they give him two years @ 3 million per; some even say he has a full no trade clause (not 100% confirmed).