Hockey: Free agency is a fun time of the year. It is that time where teams are looking to grab the best names on the market, work trades, and plan for what the team of next year is going to look like. For fans, we sit and watch every trade for our team, or division, and our rivals to see who is the next bruiser or sniper we will have to deal with.
I'm interested in the role players. We all know the Kovalchuk is going to make a massive impact where ever he goes. A better trade for me to watch is the Cancucks signing Manny Malhotra to a 3-year, $7.5 million contract. He's a 30 year old centerman with decent size, grit, and heart. He'll block shots, win draws, kill penalties, and play the agitator. All important assets for Vancouver to build on.
Colby Armstrong is another one of those 2nd or 3rd line players with a boatload of toughness. Armstrong, 27, signed with Toronto, earning $3 million a season for the next 3 years. He's got some skill, will hit, will fight, and has his head in every game. Brian Burke's idea is to have his top-6 forwards as skill and his bottom-6 as toughness. Not necessarily enforcers, but guys like Armstrong who will lay the body while maintain an offensive upside.
Edmonton is still hard at work with rebuilding. They aren't making any indications that they are aiming for post-season success. Tambellini is setting aim for a post-season appearance, but would likely want to avoid too much success as it will be reflected on player's salaries for the next season. With that said, Tambellini has signed defenceman Curtis Foster to a 2-year, $3.8 million contract. This is likely facilitate moving Souray out of Edmonton, a player that Tambellini will likely have to pay someone to take.
More to come.
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