The first day of free agency

Lots of surprises during the first day of free agency. Here are some notables:

1. Gonch signs with Ottawa. This was surprising in a few ways. First of all, I didn't think that the Sens needed a player like Gonch. Second, I'm surprised by the length of the contract. I think a 3 year contact is a little risky with a player his age.

2. Niittymaki signs with San Jose. We all know that Nabokov's time with the Sharks has ended, but I, like a lot of people, expected them to sign Turco. Now the mystery is where Nabi and Marty are going to end up. Turco is a great goalie in my opinion, he just needs a change of scenery and a better defense in front of him.

3. Ray Whitney has signed with Phoenix. Good move by the Coyotes.

4. Colby Armstrong signed with the Leafs. This one wasn't a huge surprise, but I has still clutching to the small possibility that he would come back to Pittsburgh. Thanks for crushing my dreams, Brian Burke.

5. Hamhuis is pawned off on yet another team. This one wasn't too much of a surprise, but it would have been nice to see him in a Pens uniform.

6. The Pens signed Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek. Good move getting some afforable defensemen who can get the job done. Bad move because now I'll need to spell Zybnek correctly in this blog...

7. I'm a little pissed that Shero didn't re-sign Leopold. With the two additions above, it's understandable, but I think Leopold is an amazing player who fit in well with the Pens. He's fantastic at moving the puck up the ice, and could have been a key piece of the power play in the absence of Gonch. Oh well...

8. What is Billy G's fate? I really don't want to see him go, and with the Pens' lack of wingers, it would make sense to keep him for one more year to play along Sid.

So there ya have it. A pretty interesting Day 1 in my opinion. Another note: since Modano won't be with the Stars again next season, I think he should just retire. That would be like Stevie Y playing one more year for a team other than Detroit...it wouldn't be right.

You will notice that I haven't posted anything on the draft. I'm not much of a draft person. Two words: Milan Kraft. Nuff' said.

Also, please disregard the previous post. Sometimes my predictions blow.