Spector rounds up the smart buys of '08's Free Agency

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Wings, Devils get good deals on free agents

This summer's NHL unrestricted free agent market has been notable for superstar dollars being spent on average to good players, but some teams were able to land quality free agents with sensible contracts.

The most notable was the Detroit Red Wings signing Marian Hossa to a one-year, $7.4 million contract.

Hossa was considered among the best forwards available in this summer's market and had received offers for as long as nine years in length worth a staggering $9 million per season. It seemed incredible that Hossa would accept less than market value for only one season from Detroit GM Ken Holland, but the Wings status as defending Stanley Cup champions and Hossa's desire to win a Cup made this deal possible.

For both sides, it's a potential win/win situation. Hossa could have a strong performance with the Wings next season to further pad his resume for next year's UFA market, and he could improve Detroit's chances of repeating as champions.

Holland also made another savvy move by re-signing Brad Stuart to a four-year, $3.75 million per season contract.

It was rumored Holland was unwilling to pay more than $3 million to retain Stuart, who could've earned well over $3.5 million on the open market but the Wings GM wasn't going to lose a valuable defenseman by quibbling over $750K per season.

New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello brought in two blasts from his team's past in former Devils Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik to shore up his depth at center.

Rolston's new contract — four years at just over $5 million per season — was exactly what the two-way center was expected to get on the open market.

Some critics might quibble over Lamoriello committing four years to a 35-year-old center, but Rolston has shown no sign of slowing down and remains among the best all-round centers in the league. If he can provide the Devils with at least three seasons of strong hockey, it'll make this deal worthwhile.

The Colorado Avalanche picked up affordable grit and experience in former Toronto Maple Leaf forward Darcy Tucker with a two-year contract worth $2.25 million per season.

That's less than Tucker made last season in Toronto but when one factors in the buyout he received from the Leafs for the remaining three years of his contract he's actually earning more.

Tucker battled injury and lost ice time last season but has a great opportunity to rebound in Colorado. For the Avs, his contract is reasonable both in term and salary.

The Dallas Stars landed the league's premier pest in former Rangers forward Sean Avery to the tune of an affordable four-year, $3.85 million per season contract.

Avery brings more to the Stars than a distracting style as the 28-year-old also has a decent scoring touch and plays an energetic game.

If he can just dial down his antics a little and rein in his ego, he could become a consistent 20-25 goal, 45-50 point forward with the Stars making this deal even more worthwhile. And given how much some lesser forwards were overpaid thus far in the UFA market, Avery's contract is quite sensible.

Another notable pest signed to an affordable deal was Jarkko Ruutu, who agreed to a three-year, $3.9 million contract with the Ottawa Senators.

Ruutu's new contract is worth $1.3 million per season, just slightly more per season ($1.15 million) than last season's deal with the Penguins, and his abrasive style will make the Senators a tougher team to play against as well as taking some of the load off of fellow pest Chris Neil's shoulders.

Original Article

Nothing we all didn't know, but I thought some might appreciate the read.

Edit: italics were too hard to read

Edited July 7, 2008 by Drake_Marcus

[Guest EZBAKETHAGANGSTA]

hahah spector is a noted montreal fan, so getting props from him is always good