Free Agency LHinks: Neil re-signs, Moen knocking at Islanders' door?

by Dominik on Jul 2, 2009 6:30 AM EDT in Blade Splinters Comment 6 comments

Good morning, and Happy Free Agency Hangover! Didn't get what you wanted for the Islanders? Don't worry. To join the Islanders, native Mike Komisarek would have become their highest paid player for a long time. Signings like that for defensive defensemen are often found to be ... unsound. I think we get a little too amped on July 1, because it's like a candy store: I want, I want, I want -- and charge it! But there's something to said for a GM who doesn't burn money like some such Sather.

Of course, the Islanders will have to add someone else to hit the cap floor, but remember this: Rookie bonuses -- regardless of whether they're reached -- count against the cap. Steve Stamkos, last year's #1 pick, had a $3.725 million cap hit.

In the meantime, there are signings to review -- $406 million worth of them! -- and escapees to mourn. Thanks to everybody for chiming in with a good variety of opinions in yesterday's threads; talking hockey shop and debating the merits -- that's good times. A review of yesterday's biggest signings and Islanders fan reactions begins here and continues after the jump.

Big Movers

Q: How big of a tool is no-trade trade-me Dany Heatley? A: An even bigger tool than he was the day before. You know what they used to say about types like him? "He couldn't pour water out of a boot with the directions written on the heel." Ah, but Dan(n)y is the victim.

Czech and Slovak winger musical chairs: The Wild lose Marian Gaborik to the Rangers but grab Chicago's Martin Havlat. The Wilderness cheers. Havlat feels burned. The Blackhawks lose Havlat but grab Marian Hossa on a ridiculous, cap-circumventing 12-year deal. You know who would do well setting up Gaborik? Scott Gomez. But Glen Sather can only fit so many overpriced toys under the cap, as Rangers fans know all too well.

Staying in Hawkland, Second City Hockey got Puck Daddy Wysh's thoughts on new Hawk John Madden.

The Canadiens scored Mike Camalleri, but for five years, $30 million. They also picked off Devil Brian Gionta.

The Leafs, of course, nabbed ex-Hab Komisarek, putting Hab-hating Leafs fans in a bind of cognitive dissonance.

We even had a trade: Leafs dump Pavel Kubina to Atlanta for Garnet Exelby and Chad Stuart.

That does it for yesterday's late movers -- if you were tuned in yesterday afternoon you know the rest. If not, check the full listing at From the Rink -- there were a ton. Now, on to the rounds of Islanders bloggers...

Islanders News and Fan Reactions

Dwayne Roloson makes no bones about it: He took the money. Something refreshing in saying that. [Newsday]
Roloson reactions: Fine solution [Islanders Outsider], initial dismay [IslesOfficial'sOutlook], inferring this means DP is not ready [IslandersIndependent], reservation at the age [Islesblogger]
Apparently, the Islanders were never going to get Chris Neil, who took less to stay put.
Travis Moen's agent says to expect a call, though. [On the Islanders Beat]
Continuing to beat the drum for an enforcer, to fix the "joke." [IslandersPointBlank]

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The Infamous Mike Rupp signs with Pittsburgh, he might win Another Cup.

by WebBard on Jul 2, 2009 8:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Isles Point Blank:

Is it just me or is Botta sounding more and more like a disgruntled former employee over the past couple of months. Oh, wait…

Vis a vis Rupp: Something very Milburyesque about that…

by pennst92 on Jul 2, 2009 9:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha! Sometimes I’m surprised by what he picks to harp on — the repeated lines about congrats for finishing in last and picking #1, for example. Very interesting role he’s in. No matter what he says, he’s going to hear it from someone.

Ah Rupp, Rupp. Ack! Thppt. I’m surprised the Pens bothered; I figured they’d save their cap space first.

On the tough guy issue in general, I’m not worried, since that is a common commodity. We like our mythical fighting stars, but guys who fight pop up on waivers or in the AHL a lot. (They maybe can’t skate, but…) I don’t like the idea of doling out $2 million just because a guy has a fighter’s rep.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Jul 2, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mid-day updates

Wyshynski: Says Mirtle says (tweets) Beauchemin is weighing interest from 8-10 teams.

Antropov to Atlanta for four years, $16M

Murray pissed and raising the price of Heatley. Heatley, by being a tool, doing his best to make sure no one wants him.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Jul 2, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The psychic-severed head?

Islanders sign Moen? Wonder where that idea came from ( pats self on shoulder)? Hope his agent makes that call soon!

by FireGarthSnow on Jul 3, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope you got your commission in writing. Otherwise The Omen may not pay up…

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Jul 3, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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New York Islanders Roster

	#	Pos.	DOB	W	H
Josh Bailey	12	C	10/2/1989	188	6-1
Sean Bergenheim	20	LW	2/8/1984	205	5-10
Blake Comeau	57	RW	2/18/1986	207	6-1
Rick DiPietro	39	G	9/19/1981	210	6-1
Bruno Gervais	8	D	10/3/1984	205	6-1
Trent Hunter	7	RW	7/5/1980	210	6-3
Dustin Kohn	56	D	2/2/1987	200	6-2
Andrew MacDonald	47	D	9/7/1986	188	6-1
Freddy Meyer	44	D	1/4/1981	192	5-10
Matt Moulson	26	LW	11/1/1983	206	6-1
Frans Nielsen	51	C	4/24/1984	172	5-11
Kyle Okposo	21	RW	4/16/1988	200	6-1
Richard Park	10	RW	5/27/1976	190	5-11
Dwayne Roloson	30	G	10/12/1969	180	6-1
Rob Schremp	13	C	7/1/1986	200	5-11
Jon Sim	16	LW	9/29/1977	195	5-10
Mark Streit	2	D	12/11/1977	197	6-0
Andy Sutton	25	D	3/10/1975	245	6-6
Jeff Tambellini	15	LW	4/13/1984	186	5-11
John Tavares	91	C	9/20/1990	195	6-0
Doug Weight	93	C	1/21/1971	196	5-11

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