Hartley Miller's Slap- Shots - July 9th, 2010

By Hartley Miller

• Vancouver Canucks sign defenceman Dan Hamhuis to a six-year, $27 million contract.
• Stats 2009-2010: 5 goals, 24 points, +4 in 78 GP. 0 goals, 2 points, -1 in 6 playoff games
• Canucks GM Mike Gillis did not strike gold, but he certainly improved his team. Gillis has been careful, conservative, and cautious since taking over a couple of years ago. Acquiring Hamhuis as a free agent and Keith Ballard from Florida in a trade a week prior are arguably his best moves. The Canucks weakness last season was their blue line and these moves clearly address those needs. Hamhuis goes from obscurity in Nashville to the spotlight in Vancouver. The 27-year-old Smithers native, and former P.G. Cougars captain is durable, dependable and defensive, all qualities that will help the team. Hamhuis, who wants to be heavily involved in the community, turned down more money from other teams but he is back in his home province with a no trade clause. This looks like a great fit for both sides.
  
  Grade: B+
• Atlanta Thrashers sign goalie Chris Mason to a two-year, $3.7 million contract.
• Stats 2009-2010: 30-22-8 record in 61 GP. 2.53 GAA, .913 save percentage, two shutouts
• There is good value here for the Thrashers considering they landed a frontline netminder for less than two million per season. Mason, another ex Cougar, was hoping to finish his career in St Louis but that changed after the Blues acquired (and signed) Jaroslav Halak    from Montreal. Atlanta is not exactly the hockey Mecca; however, the 34-year-old Red Deer native should be able to help the Thrashers challenge for a playoff spot. 
  
  
  Grade: B
• Ottawa Senators sign defenceman Sergei Gonchar to a three-year $16.5 million contract.
• Stats 2009-2010: 11 goals, 50 points, -4 in 62 GP. 2 Goals, 12 points, +4 in 13 playoff games
• Senators GM Bryan Murray finalized this deal virtually minutes after the free agent period began on July 1st. Yes, Gonchar will be a great addition to the power play but I question signing a 36-year-old, who is well past his prime, to a three-year deal. His defensive liabilities for Pittsburgh showed when he played against Ottawa this year in the playoffs. 
  
  
  Grade: D
• New York Rangers sign winger Derek Boogaard to a four-year, $6.5 million contract.
• Stats 2009-2010: 0 goals, 4 points, -12, 105 PIM in 57 GP.
• The Rangers have grossly overpaid for the former Cougar “Boogeyman”, who played the last five seasons with the Minnesota Wild. Boogaard an intimidating force is listed 6-8, 250-plus pounds; is he worth $1.625 million per season? What was the mindset of Rangers GM Glen Sather when he signed him to such a long-term deal? First, the Rangers draft Moose Jaw tough guy defenceman Dylan McIllrath 10th overall in June and now the team turns to Boogaard in July in what seems to be a move to provide a body guard for sniper Marian Gaborik. (Boogaard and Gaborik also played together in Minnesota) This signing appears to be another example that the game has passed Sather by. 
  
  Grade: D-
• Calgary Flames sign centre Olli Jokinen to a two-year $6 million contract.
• Stats 2009-2010: 15 goals, 50 points, + 3 in 82 games.
• Flames also sign winger Alex Tanguay to a one-year $1.7 million contract
• Stats 2009-2010: 10 goals, 37 points, -2 in 80 games.
• The Flames were so disillusioned with Jokinen’s play; they traded him in early February of this year. They shipped him to the Rangers because he was not producing, did not have the chemistry with many of his teammates, and was more of a “me” than “we” player. So what does Calgary GM Darryl Sutter do? He brings the 31-year-old from Finland back and sings his praises. This is a head scratcher, a puzzler and one of the most baffling free agent dealings, ever. Meanwhile, Tanguay did not produce in Tampa either. This move reeks of desperation as the Flames bring him back for a second stint as well, but at least the money is less and the term is shorter. 

In July 2009, I remember thinking that the Flames were on par or better than the Canucks, at least on paper. Now, Vancouver has made considerable strides forward and Calgary has made considerable strides backward. What a difference a year can make!

From the Quote Rack:

And in case you missed it: 

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us