Bravs Hockey Blog

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July 1st, Canada Day, a national holiday in Canada, a holiday that many GM’s of the NHL didn’t take off. In fact it proved to be one of the busiest days of work for a lot of them. There were a lot of UFA signings and trades to report.

Lets start with Vancouver. Mike Gillis, the Canucks new GM made one of the most shocking moves. Gillis offered Mats Sundin, former Leaf captain a 2-year deal worth $20 million dollars. Sundin has not accepted or refused the offer as of yet, but the offer leaves a lot of questions concerning the direction the Canucks are heading. If Mats Sundin does accept this offer, who would his linemates be? With Naslund still unsigned and his future with the team in limbo, you have to wonder who will play with Sundin on the first line. Would Markus sign for less for the oppurtunity to play with Mats? Does Gillis have another deal in the works to bring in another top 6 forward to play with the aging center?

What if Mats Sundin doesn’t sign with the Canucks? Where does that leave the team for next year? Do they try for Hossa? Rumour has it that the Oilers are putting in some high bids for the highly coveted UFA. This summer is going to be a stressful one for Canucks fans, and many of them might be remembering a time not too long ago when a popular player by the name of Mark Messier was brought to Vancouver. We all know how that turned out. I guess all the fans can do for now is hope that if he does come to Vancouver he is up for the task set for him, and if he doesn’t come to the west, that Mike Gillis has some other deals or signings in the works.

Mats Sundin wasn’t the only news from the Canucks on July 1st, but he was the biggest news. Gillis also signed Kyle Wellwood to a 1-year deal, former Blues Ryan Johnson to a 2-year deal and former Predator Darcy Hordichuk to a 3-year deal.

Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oilers were very busy, shipping out Raffi Torres and Joni Pitkanen, bringing in Erik Cole and Gilbert Brule. Lowe also added puck-moving defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky.

Michael Ryder, former Montreal Canadien, was picked up by the Boston Bruins.

Wade Redden, former Ottawa Senator defenseman, was signed to a wopping 6-year deal by the New York Rangers that will see him earning $6.5 million per season.

Brian Rolston went to the New Jersey Devils where he will be earning $5 million each year.

The Toronto Maple Leafs picked up a couple of players as well. Defenseman Jeff Finger and forward Niklas Hagman.

There were a ton of other signings, to get all the info on them check out the Sportsnet Free Agent Tracker.