Grade: A-
Lost- Montador, Hnidy
Gained- Begin, Sabourin
Retained- Thomas, Krejci, Recchi, Hunwick, Bitz
Evaluation- As the top team in the East, and dominant force in the NE division, Boston didn't need to do much to retain their competitive edge. Montador and Hnidy aren't huge losses (though I'll miss Jack Edwards screaming about Sheriff Shane Hnidy), though Begin isn't much to get excited about either, but he's a rough bottom pairing defensemen, so all is even. Tim "into the wild" Thomas finally hit payday with his new $20m deal and good for him, he has worked hard for it. With (presumably) the roles of Krejci and Hunwick growing, and Recchi playing what could be his final year, the B's did a good job looking forward this offseason. I've got to admit, Boston has a likable, well-balanced team. Again, I think they'll be a top 3 team in the East.----------------------------------------------------------
Buffalo Sabres
Grade: B-/C+
Lost- Spacek, (Afinogenov, Numminen?)
Gained- Montador, DiPenta
Retained- Sekera, Kaleta, McArthur
Evaluation- Like Natalie Imbruglia in the late 90s, I'm torn. The Sabres needed two things this offseason, a top 6 forward and a new defense. Now they've lost their most productive offensive defenseman and done little else. DiPenta won't see ice time beyond the AHL and that's fine with me, and Montador got beat up by Taylor Pyatt... I rest my case. I'm torn because despite incessant criticism, I often think GM Darcy Regier makes wise decisions, mainly in not throwing big money at free agents in favor of developing young prospects. I love the possibility of Gerbe, Myers, and Kennedy all having a shot at making the team out of camp, but development takes time. With all of the dead weight on Buffalo's roster (see: Mair, Tallinder, Mac, Peters, and at times everyone but Gaustad, Miller, and Vanek), fans are going to be livid that guys like Gerbe and Kennedy may not be instant stars, though they have the potential. Everyone in the Sabres world is excited for Tyler Myers to be our equivalent Chara, but he's still young and needs to grow physically and with experience. Many Sabres had off years last season, and I think this years team will be an improvement, but it might take a few years before they are legit contenders again.
Pictured Below, Frodo and Gandalf the Grey
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Ottawa Senators
Grade: B
Lost- Auld, Heatley?
Gained- Kovalev
Retained- Neil, Heatley?
Evaluation- Let's get down to it, the Ottawa offseason revolves around Dany "one N for one normal eye" Heatley. He wants out, is offered out, doesn't want to go, but really, who would want to go to Edmonton? As our old friend Ilya Bryzgalov once said in the greatest interview in history: "it's a eight months in a eight months in a year snow." With the anticipated departure of Heatley, the Sens brought in Alex Kovalev, who will undoubtedly show up for 20-30 games and produce, perhaps showing glimpses of a team who won't have to rely on just one line, if Heater stays that is. There's still plenty of time for things to shift around, but as of now, the shiniest trophy the Sens have to look forward to is Carrie Underwood at a couple of home games.
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Grade: B
Lost- Probably a handful of guys Burke won't re-sign. Love it.
Gained- Komisarek, Beauchemin, Orr, Gustavsson, Wallin
Retained- Grabovski, Deveaux
Evaluation- Operation Rebuild Defense. Burke was active early and often this offseason resulting in some success and near misses. Without question, the Leafs got bigger, tougher, and better defensively, I see a renewed spark in the Buffalo/Toronto games this year. Toronto still needs some offensive talent if they want to improve, but I'd guess over the next few years, Burke will reel in some top talent to bring the Leafs out of the brutal scrutiny they've been under, at least a little bit. For now they can say, "Hey, at least we're not Montreal!"
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Montreal Canadiens
Grade: D
Lost- Koivu, Kovalev, Komisarek, Kostopoulos, Higgins
Gained- Gomez, Mara, Moen, Gionta, Cammalleri, Gill, Spacek, Sanford, Engqvist
Retained- Latandresse, Chipchura, Plekanec
Evaluation- I have been waiting for this evaluation for weeks now. Montreal has a wildly different roster, one that makes me hate them even more. Can someone tell me how Bob Gainey still has a job? Seriously, Gomez?!? Everyone knew that contract was a lead balloon, and now Gainey buys stock in the Hindenberg, gold. They picked up a few quality players, but overall it seems like they were peer pressured into making sweeping changes, and frankly, I think they're worse off for it. Cammalleri is good, but only as good as he was because he was playing with the likes of Iginla last season. Gomez can enter the offensive zone and that's it. Gionta has potential, and the potential to disappear. Moen might be the best acquisition made, Gill and Mara will help a little on D, but really, the 09-10 Canadiens are an experiment, and I'm getting more of a Frankenstein vibe than a Weird Science one. It's been a while since I've had to verbally shit on Carey Price, so I'll just say, I can't wait for him to get lit up and act like a baby again. Montreal will eat this kid alive before they truly accept him.
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That wraps up free agency evaluations, and if anything, it just reaffirms my desire for the season to start. Until then, respect Erin Andrews' privacy and let's enjoy the last half of summer.
-Michael
