Scooter Chronicles

UPDATED AT 6:15 PM

Could be a very interesting day today. One of the more interesting group of free agents will be vying for spots amongst the 30 NHL teams. Some big moves have already happened. Adam Foote and Jon-Michael Liles both re-upped with the Avalanche. The Eastern Conference Champion Penguins didn’t expect to be able to resign Ryan Malone, so they shipped his rights off to Tampa, and the Bolts laid down an offer he couldn’t refuse. (The Bolts also sewed up team captain Vincent Lacavalier for nine years, and brought Barry “The Mullet” Melrose back to an NHL bench … the new owners are trying to bring back the glory of 2004’s Cup Championship season.) The Flyers sent the rights to R. J. Umberger to the Blue Jackets, knowing that they needed room to sign others that they felt were more important for the future. Like who? Like Jeff Carter, who they signed two days ago to a three-year deal (speculation according to one site, but I wouldn’t see it being for any less, and no more then five years). The Flyers will probably ink Joffrey Lupul and Scottie Upshall to contracts soon.

So who will be on the move today? We shall see. A lot of big names out there. And quite a few that had their contract bought out, not expecting to be free agents.

My prediction for the Wings is that they sign Mats Sundin. Wouldn’t mind seeing that. He only has a few years left, but he still produces well, and they could use another good center. Hopefully they bring back Brad Stuart. Can’t have enough defensemen like him.

UPDATE NO. 1
The Wings RE-SIGNED Brad Stuart. Good move in my opinion. Salary wise it seems a bit much, however with the cap getting bigger, and the maximum a player can get being now over $11 million. With that in mind, it seems like a good price at $3.75 a year for four years.

UPDATE NO. 2
The Red Wings now have signed Ty Conklin to back-up Osgood in net. Given the price of $700,000 for one year, it’s a solid move. I personally would like to see the Wings start using their young goaltending talent in the minors, like Jimmy Howard, giving them a chance to grow and develop into the starting goalie, but it’s hard to pass on Conklin. He is a very capable back-up. Two seasons in particular, he stepped in when the starting goalie was injured and did a great job in helping teams go to the Cup Finals (Oilers in 2006 and the Pens in 2008).

The Tampa Bay Lightning are making even more moves. Along with extending Lecavalier’s contract, and signing Malone, they also signed Gary Roberts, Vaclav (”Vinnie”) Prospal, Radim Vrbata, Olaf Kolzig, and Adam Hall. They are rebuilding quickly, and should be in the thick of the playoffs again next season. (Much like the Flyers, worst record in the league to good strong possibly contending team.)

The Blackhawks have also made some impressive moves to help bolster the defense. They signed coveted defenseman Brian Campbell and goalie Christobal Huet. Huet has shown some signs in the last two seasons of being brilliant. These two could really help the Hawks both in the short-team and long-run.

Still awaiting word of Mats Sundin. Though I think he’s probably going to end up in Montreal now. And rumors floating around are saying that Jaromir Jagr will end up back in Pittsburgh. Playing on a line with either Crosby or Malkin (who seems on the brink of signing an extension to stay in Steeltown) could really revive his career.