NHL Free Agent Frenzy 2008!

[Knightfall]

Well, you know what they say...timing is everything.

So true.

 

[Thunderfoot]

The last couple of days have been busy; although, the players being signed aren't huge impact players.

Yesterday, the Washington Capitals re-signed RFA forward Brooks Laich to a three-year contract and re-signed UFA forward Sergei Fedorov to a one-year contract.

Here are a few of the other important UFA signings from yesterday...

• Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed UFA centre Michael Peca to a one-year, $1.315 million contract.
• Nashville Predators sign UFA forward Josh Gratton to a one-year, two-way contract.

Also of note from yesterday was goaltender Ray Emery deciding to sign a one-year contract with Atlant Mytishchi of the new Russian Continental Hockey League. He didn't get the kind of offers he was hoping for from NHL clubs so off to Russia he goes. Follow that up with today's news that Martin Straka signed a one-year contract with HC Lasselsberger Plzen. He will also act as manager-general for the Czech club.

The biggest new from today, so far, is the signing of UFA forward Pavol Demitra by the Vancouver Canucks. Terms of the deal were NOT disclosed. The article on TSN.ca doesn't even list the number of years the deal was for.

Regardless, it's a big win for the Canucks as the team has had to endure the departure of former captain Markus Naslund to the New York Rangers and the defection of forward Brendan Morrison to the Anaheim Ducks.

Congrats to the Canucks, Demitra is a quality player and a really good guy. However, the black box surrounding the deal does have me raising an eyebrow.