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How is 4.25 for the next five years a "horrible, Unmovable contract" because he's 31. We all know Ericsson didn't play like a top pair defenseman last year, but the year before that he was playing very well, so much So that people were talking about how important Ericsson is to the team when he went down with an injury a couple years back... He is a good top four dman, and yes serviceable on the top pair, not very good, But serviceable. And he clears the front of the net better than any of our other d, he plays 20+ minutes a night, and for those of you who complain there's not enough fighting, he is our best fighter and the one who's fastest to stick up for teammates. He makes some bad plays, he could make one bad play in ten games and be completely solid the rest of the time and there would still be people complaining about that one bad play, extrapolating it into worse and worse things... I get that there has to be a scapegoat so everyone can vent their frustration, and since Quincey was one of our better d last year, and kindl barely played, so it all reverts to Ericsson. Who didn't even get to fully prepare for the season because his hand/finger injury to the point he could barely grip a hockey stick. Its maddening how fickle some of us fans can be.

I guess this is what happens when Toews and Kane have a caphit of 21 million. I'm very curious to see how the Hawks do this year. Lets see how good Toews truely is.

I wouldn't call 4 years a long contract, not short either, but it shows the player they want him around, shows the team he wants to be there, and the cap hit is low enough that he will work hard for a raise, and short enough he doesn't become complacent.

Brian McGrattan once pissed on a 74 pinto and it became Optimus Prime.

I don't understand the move on the Star's part, An already top heavy offense with a now bigger hole on the blue line?

Your avatar is strengthening mine.

4.75 -- not too shabby.

Doesn't Dallas need quality defensemen a lot more desperately than forwards? Not sure what Nill is going for with Sharp and his $5.9 million cap hit when they already have Benn, Seguin and Spezza. I guess Chicago swapped Oduya with Daley, but their forward depth isn't what it was last year.

Daley is a pretty solid d-man. But they just got a little worse losing a player like Sharp. And that brings a smile to my Blackhawk-hating face.

Craig Custance ‏@CraigCustance 3m3 minutes ago Blackhawks send forward Patrick Sharp and defenseman Stephen Johns to Dallas in return for Trevor Daley and forward Ryan Garbutt.

Wait, are you saying he'll have multiple 30+ goal/60+ point seasons?

Damn I was close! In guessed 5 years, 4.75 million a year. 1 year off! Great deal! Good job Holland!

Holland's best offseason this decade?

Who cares if Andersson, Ferraro and Callahan are lost? Almost everyone was begging Andersson to leave anyways, Ferraro is a spare part and Callahan has never played a second in the NHL and would probably clear waivers regardless. Getting Nyquist signed to a reasonable contract is far more important. This summer has been really well done by Holland. Given the lack of quality talent available in free agency, he still made the Red Wings much better for next season without having to sacrifice pieces of the future in the process. I don't think Holland could have done much better.

I heard Brian McGrattan went for a swim somewhere off the coast of Australia and as a result a species of Shark became extinct because they were no longer the dominant predator.

Oh look! Anaheim Ducks ‏@AnaheimDucks 21m21 minutes ago OFFICIAL: #NHLDucks sign Brian McGrattan (@bigern10) to a one-year contract through 2015-16: http://bit.ly/McGrattan_071015 …

Exactly. Moves will only be made because of roster space, not cap hits.

NIIIIIIIIICE Great deal for both sides. If he keeps developing or even stays at his current production this deal looks like an absolute steal in years 3-4.

Thank you guys !

Derek*

I know. The difference is sarcasm.

I mean, until he's actually able to rip off his canon of a shot in the NHL, I think he's technically a zero trick pony.

While I don't think he sucks by any means, I am unconvinced his success will ever translate to the nhl. I hope I'm wrong. I just don't see it.

Pulkkinen sucks. I'd start there.