Start of Free Agency, Day 2: Hossa, Orpik Still Out There

Okay. I admit it. I failed to post an update after the Penguins made a 3rd signing yesterday.

My apologies to Eric Godard.

The Penguins signed the unrestricted free agent enforcer -- all 6' 4" of him -- to a 3 year deal averaging around 550K per season. The winger played in 74 games last year for the Calgary Flames scoring a whopping 2 points to go with his 170+ penalty minutes.

Clearly, in signing Godard, the Penguins said goodbye to Big George Laraque. BGL will be missed, both in the locker room and on the ice, where he was generally recognized as the fiercest fighter in the game. Godard is big and willing in that department, but obviously not as accomplished.

The reality is Laraque was a salary cap victim. He'll probably get 1.5 million or so on the market from another team -- about 1 million more per season than the Penguins are now paying Godard. The most important thing, I think, is that the team have at least SOME deterrent out there. In Godard they do.

Now what about this Hossa guy??

The league dynamic changes with Hossa on the hour, it seems. As of last night when the Bruins announced the signing of free agent and former Canadien Michael Ryder to a deal paying him 4 million a season for 3 years, it seemed the Bruins were out of the chase for Hossa. This morning, the Boston Globe is reporting that the Bruins are close to a deal which would send Glen Murray and P.J. Axelsson to Ottawa, sheding about 6 million more in salary (depening on the return), so maybe they're in the mix again despite what their GM says (no).

Meanwhile, much of the focus surrounding Hossa has been on the Edmonton Oilers who, by all accounts, have put an offer of approximately 9 million a season on the table for him, as rumored before free agency. In fact, Hossa's agent, Rich Winter was apparently in Edmonton last night meeting with new Oilers owner Lewis Katz and Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe to discuss the potential deal. Word is that Winter wants Hossa to take that deal.

Montreal also reportedly has an offer for Hossa around 7.8 million a season, while Detroit also has put one out there, albeit for a measley 6.7 million per, which seems to be too low for Marion's liking. I think Montreal remains in the mix, although they reportedly are still chasing Mats Sundin too. Because I don't expect Sundin to decide soon, I think Hossa will be considering Montreal's proposal in making his decision.

Vancouver also reportedly has been in the hunt, but they have a standing 10 million a season offer for Sundin, so I think Hossa is a secondary option for them. Realistically, Pittsburgh, Edmonton and Montreal seem to be the leading contenders for #18 at this point.

I've also heard the Penguins have a 1 year, 2.5 million dollar offer on the table for past-your-prime winger Todd Bertuzzi. I really hope Bertuzzi looks elsewhere. I just don't think he brings much to the table anymore.

And I feel the same way about former Flyers and current free agent defenseman Jason Smith, who the Penguins seem to have contacted. Smith was a warrior in his heyday, but lacks the footspeed to be as effective as he used to be. Of course, many people say the same thing about Todd Gill, and he found a way to make an impact with the Penguins. Still, I don't think we need Smith and think he's maybe just a depth option if Pittsburgh isn't able to re-sign defenseman Brooks Orpik.

Speaking of Orpik, there hasn't been much talk about him. At last report, the Penguins were about 750K per season off the highest offers he seemed to be getting (around 4.25 million per). Indications are that Orpik still would like to come back, but is still considering what's been offered him.

If word of Malkin's likely contract extension mirroring Sidney Crosby's wasn't good enough, at least there was no word that the Penguins were bringing back Josef Melichar.

That alone made the day a good one. Now only if they can sign this Hossa guy ....

I'll try to post as soon as I hear news.