FanNation | Kev316's Blog | NHL Free Agency...., Lots Of $$$ and Surprises

Today is the third official day of free agency and, there have been a lot of sigings, a ton of cash handed out and some shockers. Like Malone, Kolzig and Roberts going to TB, Theodore going to DC, Huet going to Chicago..., it's a regular goaltending merry go round! Even Raycroft is in Colorado..., the Avs must've been desperate for a goalie. At any rate..., defensemen are on the move like cars on the Autobahn..., Campbell got his $7.45 million per season in Chicago, Blake's a Shark and Boyle could be a Shark as well (traded to SJ with another player for Carle). I like most of the deals that went down..., think Campbell will fit in nicely with Chicago's young defense, TB's getting a lot better, and the Sharks are loading on defense. Avery's gone to Dallas (good luck Stars!), Hossa's in Detroit for only one year which, makes no sense to me as he presumably had a 8 year, $80 million offer from another team and now Satan and Fedotenko will try to fill Hossa, Malone and Roberts' skates in Pittsburgh. I am just glad they reupped Malkin, Orpik and Fleury! Looks like the Devils are going back to the future with signing Rolston and Holik..., the Rangers are trying to replace Jagr with Naslund and signing Redden only makes a once decent defense worse..., no longer do they have Tyutin and Backman, now they got Zherdev and Fristche..., good luck NYR! But the one team that I believe has done a great job this year is..., wait for it..., Columbus! They unloaded Zherdev and Fristche, acquired two good D-man from the Rangers, got Torres for Brule, Umberger from Philly and signed Huselius and Commodore and now, they could become the final current NHL team to make the playoffs next year! But then again, in a tough Western conference with Detroit and Chicago ahead of you in the division..., it's going to be a tough road for Columbus. It's been a fun filled, as well as cash filled, few days in free agency and with Sundin, Selanne, Forsberg and Sakic still out there, it's going to be a another long summer of overpayed players and GM's who just want one shot at the Stanley Cup.