free agency: day 1

So the dust has settled on day one of free agency in the NHL. Much to my chagrin, but also par for the course, several savvy veterans were well overpaid.

Topping the chart, directly from the ruins of the original "Comedy Central Blue Line" stands Michal Rozsival, a now-wealthy chronic underachiever. His new contract stands at $20 million for four years (let's see, that works out to roughly $5 million a season...) Sergei Gonchar makes $5.5 million per season. You'll excuse me if I fall ill. I'll give you one guess where he went. Right back to New York. They also overpaid for Wade Redden who will be paid similarly.

Next up, we've got two signings out of Chicago which allegedly made Warren Buffett spin in his grave. (...yeah, he's alive... I know...) Chicago is a hockey city I believe I will never understand. It seems they address their future issues a bit too soon. Remember a few years back when they tabbed Adrian Aucoin as a UFA? What did that do? Well yesterday they nabbed goalie Christobal Huet and handed him a contract to the tune of... well, nobody really knows yet, but Huet was arguably the prize goalie of free agency so you know he didn't come cheap. Unless the Blackhawks trade Nikolai Khabibulin at some point during the offseason, they're right back to having goalie 1a/1b. I have no idea why they pour so much money into this one position. You can only have ONE goalie out there at any given moment. Its not like overpaying for two will make you any better. Overpaying for two defensemen? That might work, but not for two goalies. But speaking of overpaying for a defenseman, Brian Campbell became immediate legend in the general ledgers of GM's across the league when these same Blackhawks inked him to an eight year term worth... wait for it... $7.1 million per season. (following Warren B. shortly after hearing this was Gonchar) It's a good thing Chicago has all of those superstars in their front six to help justify these two signings. (sarcasm noted)

Tampa Bay has officially inked every Penguin on the 2005-07 roster that isn't named Crosby or Malkin. One has to wonder why Brooks Orpik is still lingering.

New Jersey rolled back the clock by signing both Bobby Holik and Brian Rolston, both members of the team during the late 90's. Isn't it fun to bring the good ol' boys home? (Jagr or Naslund anybody?)

My take on this mirrors Ray Shero's: wait it out. Sure, most of the talent is off the market. That's how day one's go during free agency. RS isn't going to fail the Pens. He's going to either find a bargain somewhere, or carefully plan how he splurges. My bet is on the former, but you never know. Hossa's still available...