After having been quiet on the reporting front for over a week, tons of headlines regarding UHP signings are flying through the door at UHP HQ. While some details are being wrapped up as we speak, here are the biggest names that have most recently been plucked off the market.
Blake Geoffrion – Grandson of NHL Hockey Hall of Famer, ‘Boom Boom’ Geoffrion, Blake continues to see his hockey career climb. Reports indicate that he has decided to join the Ottawa Senators’ organization for the next 2 years, hoping to add to an already youthful team. (2 years - $700K/yr);
Travis Hamonic – Having spent many of his junior years with the Moose Jaw Warriors, the former 2nd round pick has signed on with the Nashville Predators.
(2 years - $800K/yr);
Roman Hamrlik – Journeyman Defenceman, Roman Hamrlik has found a home for the next year, which may well be his last professional hockey contract, as he signs on with the Los Angels Kings. (1 year - $1M/yr);
Tomas Holmstrom – Spending as much time ‘between the pipes’ as any of his opposing goaltenders, Holmstrom hopes to continue his respectful career in
Los Angeles, signing a 2 year deal. (2 years, $3M/yr);
Jaromir Jagr – After having spent multiple seasons in the KHL, Jagr has surprisingly decided to take his hockey career back to North America. What is more surprising is that Jagr was offered a multiple year deal with one of the UHP teams. Early reports indicate that the Nashville Predators have offered a 3 year, $20.1M contract to the former NHL All-Star. (3 years – $6.7M/yr);
Dustin Jeffrey – The Anaheim Ducks, although mostly quiet on the Free Agent front, have extended a 2 year contract offer to the up and coming Center, Dustin Jeffrey. (2 years - $900K/yr);
Jussi Jokinen – The Finish born Left Winger has made quite a name for himself on recent years, scoring big goals at big times for his team. That said, the
Oakland Seals may have one of the ‘steals of the summer’ with this signing. (3 years - $1.5M/yr);
Ed Jovanovski – The veteran Defenceman has secured himself a 2 year contract with the Nashville Predators. (2 years - $1.4M/yr);
Tomas Kaberle – Continuing with their roster overhaul, the Nashville Predators have added yet another Defenseman in Tomas Kaberle. Kaberle should be able to stabilize and quarterback the Preds’ powerplay, improving its efficiency from last year. (2 years, $3.2/yr);
Zack Kassian – Although Kassian has not yet suited up for an NHL or UHP team, this gritty power forward with an edge to his game shows lots of promise to be an effective hockey player. Losted at 6’3”, 215lbs, the right winger will add even more grit and skill to an already good Winnipeg Jets’ team. (3 years, $900K/yr);
Saku Koivu – The Oakland Seals’ have locked up Saku Koivu to a 1 year deal. Without committing to a long term deal, the Seals’ have surely filled their 3rd line Center position with the skillful center. (1 year, $1.6M/yr);
Zenon Konopka – Known more for punching his opponent in the face than scoring goals, the gritty 4th line center will join the Ottawa Senators for this upcoming season. When asked about his thoughts on the Senators’ team, Konopka was quite blunt. “We’re going to go out there and kick some ass. Really.. that’s what I plan on doing…. And if you don’t like it, I”ll kick your ass again”. Oh, Zenon! (1 year, $600K/yr);
Sergei Kostitsyn - Adding size and skill to their winger positions, the Ottawa Senators have signed S. Kostitsyn. “We realize that Sergei has seen time in both the pro and farm team levels over the past couple of years, but we are confident that Sergei can be a consistent point producer on our hockey club”, stated Patrick Bazinet, GM of the Ottawa Senators; (1 year, $1.3M/yr);
Niklas Kronwall – Stepping out of Niklas Lidstrom’s shadow in last year’s playoffs, Kronwall has shown that he is a good puck mover, and can bring the bone crunching hits when called upon… Isn’t that right, Heatley! The interesting question here is whether Kronwall will be able to increase his point production while his career continues to rise, all while helping his new team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. (3 years, $4.8M/yr);
Pavel Kubina – After seeing the Nashville Predators sign a pair of Defenseman, it shouldn’t come as a shock to see them sign yet another in Pavel Kubina. Kubina will try to regain the form he once saw with the Tampa Bay Lightning in terms of point production on the Power Play. (3 years, 1.8M/yr);
Chris Kunitz – Earlier reports had Chris Kunitz going to the Anaheim Ducks on a 2 year contract, worth a total of $1.2M. However, upon further investigation, these facts have been determined to be rumours only.
Robin Lehner – Looking after their Goaltending prospects, the Oakland Seals have come to terms on a 3 year deal with young goalie prospect, Robin Lehner. Lehner will most certainly start the year in either the farm team or back to Junior (prospect list). That said, even if this is true, Antti Niemi and Jonas Hiller better watch their back and make sure they are not being Hunted by the aggressive youngster. (3 years, $900K/yr);
Nicklas Lidstrom – While it was another offseason of question marks surrounding the 1st Ballot Hall of Famer’s retirement plans, it was determined that Lidstrom will give at least 1 more kick at the can in hopes to adding yet another championship ring to his collection. The New Jersey Devils have come to an agreement with a 2 year deal. (2 years, $4.1M);
Tony Lydman – One of the most underrated Defenseman in the league, Lydman has helped many of his Buffalo teams find success. Based on that fact, the Oakland Seals hope that this will remain the case, as the Seals will be chasing their 3rd straight UHP Championship (2 years, $800K/yr);
Manny Malholtra – With his hockey career being in jeopardy late last year during the Stanley cup run, the doctors have since cleared the veteran center to resume his hockey career. Los Angeles was the only team to submit a bid for said player, and have filled a nice bottom 6 role on their team. (1 year, $500K/yr);
Patrick Marleau – Winnipeg made a big splash with the signing of Patrick Marleau. Criticized last year by controversial hockey figure, Jeremy Roenick, Marleau played well down the stretch and into the playoffs to prove Roenick that he’s just a loud mouth moron. Should be a good fit in the frozen tundra, that is Winnipeg. (3 years, $6.2M/yr);
Ryan Mcdonagh – Looking to stick a full season with the big club, McDonagh is heading to the New Jersey Devils. (2 years - $500K);
Andy McDonald – The Devils are planning to play with the puck on their stick more this season. As a result, they have inked face-off man, Andy McDonald to a 2 year contract. (2 years, $600K);
Ethan Moreau – In what is to be considered a depth move, the Nashville Predators have signed the former Edmonton Oilers captain to a 1 year contract.
(1 year, $600K/yr);
Brenden Morrow – One of the ‘Heart and Soul’ type of players that all teams would love to have on their team has also decided to continue his hockey career in The Music City, that being Nashville. Hot girls in cowboy hats. Can you blame him? (1 year - $2.6M/yr);
Matt Moulson – Matt Moulson has also decided to head to the Western Conference in Nashville. Question here is whether he can sustain his point production away from John Tavares. (3 years, $3.6M/yr);
Evgeni Nabokov – Late last season, Nabokov returned to North America. However, once picked up on waivers – Nabokov refused to play for said team. With a new season on the horizon, we’ll see if this contract dispute can be put to rest. Nabokov signs on with Nashville. (2 years, $1.6M/yr);
Rick Nash – After having the Los Angeles Kings walk away from arbitration, which would have seen Rick Nash earn well over $8M in the following seasons, Nash hit the open market. To nobody’s surprise, reports indicate that Nash received a number of offers. Not surprisingly, the Big Apple has yet again used its luster to lure yet another high profile UFA with a significant contract. The 3 year, $31.5M contract is the largest in UHP’s Unrestricted Free Agency history, making Nash the second highest paid player, just behind Evgeni Malkin. (3 years, $10.5M/yr).
Max Pacioretty – Following a difficult off-season filled with injury rehab after taking a face full of turnbuckle at the hands of Chara last season, the Ottawa Senators still see lots of potential in Pacioretty. The UHP media caught up with Max coming out of a movie theatre, and captured the following for comment. “Rehab has went surprisingly well. I’ll be ready to go for my new team, the Ottawa Senators”. (3 years, $800K/yr);
Dion Phaneuf – With a surprising twist, Dion Phaneuf will suit up for his 3rd Canadian team during his pro hockey career, as the Montreal Canadians have signed the former Junior stud Defenseman to a 2 year contract. “Mike (Komisarek) had nothing but great things to say about the city, which really helped me make my decision as to where I was going to play this year). (2 years, $3.5M/yr);
Jason Pominville – The Winnipeg Jets’ fans will certainly be excited this coming season, as they have landed another impact forward in Jason Pominville. Known for being a ‘Senator Killer’, Pominville will bring his killer instincts with him when he puts on the Jets jersey for the first time later on this month. (3 years, $3.9M/yr);
Tom Poti - Nashville with yet another depth signing, as they add Tom Poti to their roster. (2 years, $500K/yr);
Chris Pronger – After being in the middle of a locker room rift, Pronger has found a new home in Nashville. Management hopes that Pronger is not the cause, but will be part of the solution going forward. (3 years - $3.4M/yr);
Teddy Purcell – Winnipeg has signed Teddy Purcell to a 3 year deal. Purcell was instrumental in last year’s strong playoff push, which almost got his team to the Stanley Cup Finals. (3 years, $2M/yr).
Rest assured that our news reporters will be working around the clock in order to bring you the most up to date Free Agent signings, as UHP enters its 3rd year of hockey operations.
Stay Tuned!
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