Tuesday News & Notes

We are less than 20 hours from the frenzy!!!

- Here are some notable RFA’s that did not receive qualifying offers yesterday:
Erik Christensen, ANA
Eric Perrin, ATL
Chris Thorburn, ATL
Cody McCormick, COL
Jiri Novotny, CBJ
Ole-Kristian Tollefson, CBJ
Steve Eminger, FLA
Anthony Stewart, FLA
Dan Fritsche, MIN
Fredrik Sjostrom, NYR
Brendan Bell, OTT
Marcel Goc, SJ
Lukas Kaspar, SJ
*These players will become UFA’s tomorrow at noon.

- New Jersey needed to re-sign Johnny Oduya, and they did so earlier today. He’s arguably been the Devils’ best defenseman the last 2 years with a combined +48 rating over that time. The deal is reportedly a 3-year deal worth $9 million. If GM Lou Lamoriello wouldn’t have signed him before tomorrow, he would have fielded many offers from other teams.

- Another defenseman that re-signed today was Rob Blake. The Sharks’ veteran blue-liner was a good pickup last year with his big shot on the power play. He racked up 45 points and a +15 rating. Blake made $5 million last year, but will be signed for $3.5 mil this season. He is well worth it…

- A pair of important RFA’s signed yesterday… both were key playoff performers. Chicago’s Dave Bolland received a long-term deal worth over $3 mil a season. He was a big part to the Hawks’ playoff run, tallying 12 points in 17 games. In Carolina, GM Jim Rutherford locked up Jussi Jokinen for 2 years at $1.7 mil a year. ‘The Finnisher’ seemed to be lost after being traded by Dallas, but was huge for the ‘Canes in the postseason. He scored 7 goals, including 3 game-winners and the game-tying goal in Game 7 at New Jersey. Good moves by both the Hurricanes & Blackhawks!

- The Penguins were busy yesterday, re-signing veterans Bill Guerin and Craig Adams. Guerin, a deadline pickup, was huge for that team in the playoffs… mostly in the locker room. Some Pens said he made a couple inspirational speeches in the finals that kept the confidence high. He’ll fit in nicely for a full season, especially for $2 million. Adams is a Dan Bylsma-type player, as his grit on the PK was valuable in the playoffs. He signed for $1.1 mil over 2 years.

- Rick Nash and his agent will meet (or have met) with Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson today, starting negotiations on an extension; Nash is entering the final year of his deal. Aside from Nash, players like Roberto Luongo, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews are reportedly on the verge of signing long-term extensions with their respective clubs.

- The Red Wings will not be active in the free agent frenzy, says GM Ken Holland. The Wings have about $5.5 million to spend, 2nd least in the league. They have offered Marian Hossa a long-term deal averaging around $4 mil a season, but will he take it when he knows he can get at least $6 mil on the open market?? I doubt it…

- It’s looking like Minnesota G Josh Harding will be dealt this summer. The RFA netminder is looking for more playing time, and he won’t get it with Niklas Backstrom in front of him. Possible destinations for Harding would be Edmonton, St. Louis, Tampa Bay among others.