As for the first days of the NHL Free-Agency, the biggest signing was Jason Garrison, a defenseman, by the Vancouver Canucks for 6 years, $27 million, which translates to about a $4.5 million a year cap hit. Garrison won't put up the insane goal numbers he did last year in Florida, but he should be a solid two-way player that would fill the need for a booming shot from the blue line, something new Tampa Bay Lightning member Sami Salo did in Vancouver. Martin Brodeur remains a Devil for two more years (big surprise), but Johan Hedberg returns as his backup for the same amount of time. When is New Jersey going to start thinking about life after Brodeur? The Hedberg signing sounds counterproductive to what the Devils should be doing, like get a young guy to apprentice under Brodeur for a year. Other deals of note: the Ottawa Senators trading Nick Foligno to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Marc Methot. Foligno was a solid player who likely topped out as a second or third line guy, and with players like Mika Zibanejad, Jakob Silfveberg, Mark Stone, and Colin Greening all knocking on the door, plus the need to fill a hole on defense with Filip Kuba going to Florida, this deal happened. Before you say anything bad about the trade, remember that Methot played for Columbus, which you shouldn't hold against anyone who's played for them. Colorado signed PA Parenteau, who should be a good compliment to Matt Duchene, but the Avs also earn the award for Premature Signing Celebration, as Matt Carkner embarrassed them by signing with the Islanders an hour after the Avs had said on Twitter that Carkner agreed to terms with them. And if you're wanting your Dustin Penner update, he remains a King for one more year, which means one more year of Pancake jokes (and me possibly eating them if he wins another Cup).
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