Yes! Islanders

The NHL deck took a major shuffling yesterday.

First off, props to Van City for getting Hank and Danny-Boy under contract for another five years each, at an appropriate six million a year.  These two shape-shifting amorphous talented twins are in the prime of their careers.

Let’s be honest, when they came into the league, these guys were begging to be laughing stocks.  The look different from everyone but each other, and are the only package deal that lasted beyond elementary school.  But they’ve been studs for the Canucks. 

By signing them, you’ve guaranteed yourself at least one A-level line, while taking care of a powerplay unit.  I like this move a lot, but I’m gonna have to see something else out of Gillis – the West looks vicious next year.

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The Capitals were probably three puzzle pieces short of being the Cup favourite.  Make that two.

The signing of Mike Knuble (at a fair price) locks down a big, physical winger that can provide Ovechkin, Semin and Backstrom with some nice secondary scoring.  The guy has seven straight 20 goal seasons, with a few over thirty.  Anytime you can add that level of productivity for $2.8M, it’s an obvious yes (plus, I like the short contract for an older guy).

If they can track down a goalie and a real defenceman, I’d be the first to start hinting at a Capitals-Blackhawks final next year, with final game scores like 14-7, 10-3, and 11-8.

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Also in my top few fave signings is the Florida Panthers re-signing 24 year old David Booth.  Two seasons ago, he put up 20 gino’s on a bad team.  Last year, he passed 30, while also leading the team with 246 shots.

The best part for Panthers fans, is that they managed to get him for six years, with the best years of his career ahead.  The bad part for hockey fans, is that we won’t get to see Booth in the playoffs until he’s 30.

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Okay, the Benedict Hossa deal.

Not quite in my top faves.  Originally, I really hated the deal, but I think I’m coming around on it.

Here’s the key information:

Chicago pays Marion $7.9 million over the first seven years, which is the part I don’t like.  That’s over-paying, and to commit that coin when you have to sit across the negotiating table from Kane and Toews next year is inexcusable.

The rest of the deal, however, is a good way to structure a long term deal.  He gets $4 mill in the 8th year, and only $1 mill in years 9 and 10. 

11 and 12?  $750,000. 

Basically, he’s going to retire after year 8, because he won’t want to play for a fraction of what he’s been earning, especially while his body hurts more and his off-ice effort level will have to be even higher to keep up with the kids.

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Komisarek to Toronto

What a great backbone for the Leafs to pick-up.  Komisarek is a guy that every team needs.  He’s an obvious signing for Burke, because he’ll step up when challenged, but he can play hockey too. 

He’ll punish opposing forwards, get the puck outta the zone, kill penalties, and absorb Lucic’s fists.  Aw, I’m just kidding Komo, you answered the bell.  Nice work.

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Gaborik to the Rangers

Nice!  I hope Mary-Anne can stay healthy for the blue-shirts, cause he’s a thrill-a-game guy. 

They’ve managed to dump Gomez (a great guy, but it was a necessary move) and grab Higgins.  Then they inked a Gomez replacement in Gaborik - a powerplay guy that can bring the puck up the ice, create offense, and get fans out of their seats.

Plus, I’m looking forward to Tortarella benching him in week two, for just that right amount of NY drama.

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Cammalleri, Gionta to Montreal

Nice pick-ups for the Habs, sure.  And yes, they’re gonna be a totally different team next year.  I’m just not sure its going to be in a good way.

Does Gainey have an unlimited budget?  Who can afford to commit five million a year to Brian Gionta, a guy who played 81 games last year as a 30 year old and scored 20 goals?  At 5′7″, he needs to contribute offensively.  And, most likely, his numbers aren’t heading up; if anything his goals per year are gonna start looking more like 19, 17, 16 and so on.

Seems like an expensive secondary guy.

As for Cammalleri, I thought he was one of the real big fish someone could land on Canada Day.  Granted, he played with Iginla last year en route to 39 goals, but he has a huge upside.

It takes a certain level of talent to succeed skating beside the elites in the league, and this guy can clearly do it.  You can’t put Taylor Pyatt with Crosby and have it click.  Cammalleri will play with the best players on whatever team he’s on, and skating beside Gomez?  He’ll match his goal total from Calgary.

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Havlat to Minnesota

Selfishly, this deal has me bummed.  I love watching Havlat’s dangles, and I can’t think of a team I see play less than Minnesota.  He may as well have signed in the KHL.  Plus, the west is just too deep for Minnesota to matter next year.

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Lastly, a friend I played against in college, Alex Goligoski, re-signed with the Penguins for three years.  He’s relatively under the radar so far, but the guy can be a difference maker.  I guarantee that before he signs another contract, you’ll know his name.