Free Agent Signing Day Happy Fun Time & Box Social
Published: July 1, 2008
NEW JERSEY SIGNS BOBBY HOLIK, 1 year, $2.5 million.
2MA COLLECTIVELY SAYS: Welcome back Bobby!
NEW JERSEY SIGNS BRIAN ROLSTON, 4 years, $20 million.
STEVE SAYS: I couldn’t be happier with this signing. Rolston fills alot of our needs all at once. We get a top-six forward who can play center AND QB our power play. He’s been here before and has played in a similar system with the Wild for the last few years. Attaboy, Lou.
JOSH SAYS: Exactly what Steve says.
JOE SAYS: $^&! YEAH!!!!!
PATRICIA SAYS: Well, actually, Pat says nothing, as she’s off doing cartwheels somewhere. She’ll be back with actual words on the deal later.
———————–
Vancouver signs Darcy Hordichuk, two years, financial terms undisclosed.
Philadelphia signs Nate Raduns, one year, financial terms undisclosed.
Philadelphia signs Glen Metropolit, two years, financial terms undisclosed.
Rangers sign Patrick Rissmiller, terms undisclosed.
Philadelphia sign Ossi Vaananen, 1 year, $1 million.
Columbus signs Mike Commodore, 5 years, $18.75 million.
St. Louis matches Vancouver’s offer sheet on David Backes, 3 years, $7.5 million.
Chicago signs Brian Campbell, 8 years, $7.1 million per year.
Buffalo signs Patrick Lalime, 2 years, $1 million per year.
Philadelphia trades Denis Gauthier and a 2010 second round pick to Los Angeles for Pat Hersley and Ned Lukacevic.
Ottawa signs Alex Auld, two years, $1 million.
Tampa Bay signs Olaf Kolzig, one year, $1.5 million.
Colorado signs Darcy Tucker, 2 years, $4.5 million.
Vancouver signs RFA David Backes to an offer sheet, 3 years, $7.5 million. Compensation if St. Louis does not match is a second round draft pick.
Vancouver re-signs Kyle Wellwood, one year, $997,500.
Florida signs Corey Stillman, 3 years, $10.6 million.
Chicago signs Cristobel Huet, four years, $5.625 million per year.
NY Rangers sign Aaron Voros, terms undisclosed.
Pittsburgh signs Eric Godard, terms undisclosed.
Tampa Bay signs Adam Hall, 3 years, $1.8 million.
Toronto signs Jeff Finger, 4 years, $3.5 million per year.
Totonto signs Curtis Joseph, one year, $700,000
Phoenix signs Todd Fedoruk, 3 years, financial terms undisclosed.
Detroit signs Ty Conklin, one year, $750,000.
Montreal re-signs Andrei Kostitsyn, 3 years, $3.25 million per year.
Phoenix signs Kurt Sauer, four years, $1.75 million per year.
Colorado signs Andrew Raycroft, one year, $800,000.
Washington signs Jose Theodore, 2 years, financial terms undisclosed.
Minnesota signs Andrew Brunette, terms undisclosed.
Nashville trades Marek Zidlicky to Minnesota for Ryan Jones and a 2nd round draft pick.
Chicago trades RFA Rene Bourque to Calgary for a conditional 2nd round draft pick.
Boston signs Blake Wheeler to an entry-level contract.
Tampa Bay signs Radim Vrbata, 3 years, $3 million per year.
Anahiem re-signs Corey Perry, 5 years, $5.325 million per year.
Edmonton trades Raffi Torres to Columbus for Gilbert Brule.
Edmonton trades Joni Pitkanen to Carolina for Eric Cole.
Pittsburgh re-signs Pascal Dupuis, 3 years, $1.4 million per year.
Pittsburgh re-signs Mark Eaton, 2 years, $1 million per year.
Detroit re-signs Brad Stuart, 4 years, $3.75 million per year.
New Jersey re-signs Bryce Salvador, 4 years, $2.9 million per year.
New Jersey re-signs Jay Pandolfo, 3 years, $2.5 million per year.
New Jersey re-signs David Clarkson, 2 years, $837,500 per year.
New Jersey re-signs Barry Tallackson, terms undisclosed.
33 Comments on "Free Agent Signing Day Happy Fun Time & Box Social"
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Schwindle on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 2:52 pm
Anyone else a little concerned at the lack of action and for that matter, even rumor and hearsay coming out of Newark?
Brian Finkel on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 3:40 pm
You know Lou always holds everything very tight to the chest. I’m sure his people are just doing the same.
I wouldn’t make any expectations till more of these big players are signed because he might surprise you and the suspense will piss you off and drive you nuts at the same time!
Mark S on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 4:01 pm
Yeah…not much from the big boys yet….looks liek a lot of offers getting thrown around and it could be a domino as when one signs, the teams that lost out move harder for the next guy….
Very quiet on the Hossa front but the Campbell numbers are eye-popping!
Dick Dastardly on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 4:54 pm
Word out of Tampa Bay is they got the “no thanks” from Rolston. If the rumor mill got this one right and he was deciding between Tampa and Jersey….?
Dick Dastardly on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 5:05 pm
For my buddy the Leafs fan –
Finger was a good pickup, but CuJo? Are they hiring a shrink for him too?
And Sundin talking with the Habs… Can it get any worse in Toronto?
The plural of Leaf is “Leaves”. Friggin’ Canadians…
rick on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 6:14 pm
fire and ice is reporting Rolston’s a Devil!
Kelly on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 6:30 pm
TSN also reports Rolston is a Devil!
Jersey on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 6:49 pm
Great signing! Rolston is exactly what we needed.
rick on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 6:50 pm
and Sportsnet says Holik is back, 1 yr. 2.5mil. Holik, Rupp, Clarkson = Crashline 2008
Shari on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 7:00 pm
What no Peppi?
Brian Finkel on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 7:01 pm
While i’m extremely happy at bringing Rolston back, Holik’s another story.
He’s a shadow of his former self and clearly fits the definition of “aging star”.
His best moments from the team are when playing defensive hockey was enough to win you championships which won’t work any more.
I’m worried Lou might’ve bumped his head recently bringing him back to 1995.
Brian Finkel on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 7:11 pm
Devs should hang a sign that says No Place Like Home!
From Spector’s Blog
http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/Spector
“Six years ago Bobby Holik left the New Jersey Devils to sign with the New York Rangers, the Devils arch-rivals.
Today, he’s returned to the Devils, signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
It’s like old home week in New Jersey what with the Devils earlier signing today of Brian Rolston.
Unlike Rolston Holik is no longer at the top of his game, never scoring more than 34 points per season in each of the last three, all spent with the Atlanta Thrashers.
At this point in his career the 38-year-old Holik is a third line checking center but he provide welcome depth at that position for a Devils team considered thin down the middle.”
Scott Mackie on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 7:16 pm
How come no one asked how I felt??
I’m so the bastard child of the contributors :p
Well Rolston was a perfect signing.. we need the pp shot and a top 6 forward
I’m still stunned by the return of NoGoalik (get used to that name folks)… the war is back on
It’ll be good to have someone to make fun of on the team again at least!!!! Bring back the People’s Unibrow!!!
mrsheeps on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 7:24 pm
Holik? For reals? This is craziness.
Rolston = amazingtacularosity
Jeremy on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 7:26 pm
I think bringing Rolston and Holik back are EXACTLY what this team needs, and I personally think that having “95 frame of mind” is also what this team needs. Stevens should come out of retirement for this one and i’d just about poo myself. Holik-Rupp-Clarkson would be a hell of a line, but here’s my line setup: 1) Rolston-Elias-Parise 2)Holik-Langs-Zajak 3)Rupp-Clarkson-Gio 4) Madden-Pando-Zubrus. Given some time to create some chemistry, I think that would be super sweet.
Josh Burnett on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 7:29 pm
My first reaction to the Holik signing was something like “…oh dear god.”
If we use him as Crash Line 2.0 with Rupp & Clarkson, I’m totally down. Don’t let him sneak up in the lines like we let Rupp do last year.
Next order of bid-ness: Get us a D-Man. I’m liking Hainsey on the semi-cheap right now.
Shari on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 7:33 pm
The D is looking scary and not in a good way, there is not enough $ for a good pick up so someone will most likely have to go. (I have not been on this site for a while because My computer was down for a long time.)it’s good to be back TMA.
Devil in NC on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 7:35 pm
Rolston I’m thrilled with, but Holik? I see a treacherous, used up role player.
Normally I think that we would have more cap room just by looking at our roster, but apparently we’re almost out. Especially after signing…….Holik of all people.
Ugh…this SUCKS.
Mike on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 8:05 pm
Welcome back Bobby!!!
Awesome!
The Devils now have 4 effective and producing scoring lines.
This is seriously what the Devils needed! Some old and some older Devils Blood.
AkA on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 8:24 pm
holik is good cause he’ll fill the asham role with a tad bit more touch.
hey did anyone see how much the rangers signed redden for? 6 yr/6.5 mil per! suckers!
Steve Stirling on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 8:53 pm
Yeah, I’m definitely on the we need a top four d-man train, but I agree with some of you that we’re going to have to cut some fat to do it.
NHLCaps.com says we’ve got $1.3M in cap space with 13 forwards and 8 defensemen already under contract, which does not include youngster Matt Corrente.
Josh Burnett on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 10:03 pm
Corrente’s not with the team next year, and another year of seasoning in Lowell for Vrana and Bergfors won’t kill ‘em. I imagine Pelley, Greene, and Brookbank all see most of their playing time in Lowell this year as well if the team stays as currently constituted.
Perhaps one of the capologists out there can help me out here, but I presume the entire salaries of say, Brookbank and Greene, would not count against the Devils cap if they’re playing in Lowell, correct?
Randy on Tue, 1st Jul 2008 10:55 pm
Rolston is a no branier. I very excited about him coming back. Rolston can play a first line center, kill penalties and play the point on the powerplay. If all Holik does is win faceoffs and inflict pain, his career with have come full circle. As a life long Devils fan, I am very excited. All we need is either Eckford or Corrente to disntiguish themselves and our team is complete. Two last thought, 1)any chance Vitali V. can be sent to the new russian league for a bag of pucks. It would free up $1.8 million in cap space and a team worse -12. 2) sign brylin to a minimum 2 year contratct to be the 13th forward. He may not be an everyday player but, a perfect back up player that can fill in for injuries here and there.
Dick Dastardly on Wed, 2nd Jul 2008 1:54 pm
Thankfully the rumor mill was right for once and Rolston is back in the fold. We missed your shot Brian.
But… Bobby Holik? I don’t get that signing. Especially for the $$$. Lou, if you are dead-set on bringing back re-treads, why not focus on someone who could help us AND hurt our brothers across the river? Shanny’s a UFA too. So he would have cost more than the Unibrow Assassin. Unlike Holik, the guy can still play.
Geez, Lou. Why not bring Grant Marshall back from the dead while you’re at it.
redank on Wed, 2nd Jul 2008 2:38 pm
In another move which improves all three metro area teams at once, Bret Hull cuts off his balls, gets an Ovary instead.
JDunn on Wed, 2nd Jul 2008 5:50 pm
i like this move, we’ll see how good holik still is this season and if he sucks, it’s only a one year contract. I really like how dallas picked up sean avery-we dont have to see that lil bitch no more!
Mike B. on Wed, 2nd Jul 2008 8:20 pm
Kudos on the Rolston signing…we definitely wanted him, though that’s a lot of years for a 35-year-old. Call me crazy, but I think Holik still has enough left in him, and I’m not looking forward to seeing him in a Devils sweater 8 times next season.
With those two, and with Marty’s favorite crease-crasher gone off to Dallas, I think it’s safe to say we won’t be enjoying an 11-1-1 series advantage over the Debbies this year.
The Zherdev trade does make things interesting, though…
Dana B on Wed, 2nd Jul 2008 9:19 pm
I’ve been so busy lately and completely focused on the yankees i forgot to check back to see what’s happenin with the devils after the draft, so i completely forgot about free agent signing day, so imagine my surprise when i check TG, and find out two of my all time fav devs are back.
i feel bad for forgetting about my boys =(
forgive me?
Brian Finkel on Wed, 2nd Jul 2008 11:42 pm
Jason Smith’s still available among other forwards such as Sundin, Demitra, Naslund, Straka and i’m sure other not as big names.
Maybe i’m the only one here thinking this but I don’t see this as being nearly enough.
We basically bring back everyone so our offense will be as anemic as before, only now we include Rolston.
He’ll be a huge help on the pp and with 31 goals last season he’ll be a welcome addition.
Problem is that he’s 35. I would’ve loved if one of his signings is someone closer to 30 but there’s not much left.
Tell the truth I still don’t think Lou gets it. Acquire 1 player when we needed more explosive offense….even if it wasn’t guys like Hossa or Sundin a Ryder or Huselius would’ve been nice.
Some things never change I guess.
JDunn on Thu, 3rd Jul 2008 12:49 am
hmmm for the first time in his career holik’s gotta change that number up. i wonder if zuby’s gonna give it up for the guy
rico suave on Thu, 3rd Jul 2008 1:10 am
everyone beats up our dfense, but the bottom line is we let up some of the fewest goals this season. this being our first season without gomez and the big BR. these are 2 great signings…subjectively, not much money. with brian on the offense we have so much more potential. think about how many games we would have won (i.e. rangers) if we scored on the powerplay. everyone is beating up holik, i say f that. he jumped to a crappy team a few years back and lost his passion. ya, he is a professional, but if you have a few hard loses in the playoffs and simply put, not a good team, it will get the best of you. i bet he puts up his best numbers in the past few years and will mold the clarksons and rupps on the team. so much so that we resign him in 09 for another year. with two of the best defensive-forward lines and now two of the best offensive lines in the east, we are the team to beat. the penguins lost so many players. the rangers have too many problems, and montreal had no place doing as well as they did. hands down we are the team to beat in ‘09 east, and i’ll never count out the senators, but we just have the sick east team (that is a run on sentence). big lou might make a defensive trade, which would be great…but we are the only team in the east that will stand a chance to beat detroit when it comes playoff time. detroit proved you cannot be all offense as they beat up the pens. we have a great balance of offense and d this year (mostly from the front lines). also, we just took a team captain and an assistant. they bring years of experience to the table, which on our team is probably more important than pure numbers. i said it all year long, we were missing a pure leader with experience on the team. now we have two more vets to set the tone. very long story short, offense was the big problem this year and now we got to GREAT players that are pumped for the team. just stop and think of them playing on the team last season? seriously, that’s hot shit right there…we had no business doing as well as we did last year, and with the the 95 players we would have been a force. 09 the devils will be the best in the east, as it stand today. so give me a D E V I L S….what’s that spell? ‘09 CUP CONTENDERS
Randy on Thu, 3rd Jul 2008 10:35 am
I agree with Rico S. The Devs are a contender. If the Devs can get contributions from Bergfors, Eckford and/or Corrente might just be the team to beat. the Devs are looking like a balanced team with may different types of players.
Rolstoned on Mon, 7th Jul 2008 11:15 pm
I’m so Rolstoned! Welcome back.