Nice food for thought for you guys stuck at work with me, and thinking about July 1 tomorrow.... From CNN talking about free agency busts recently
Tough calls, like the ones GM will be making at 12:01 pm on July 1.
2006
Jay McKee, defenseman: four years, $16 million
St. Louis needed bodies to fill out its roster at the time president John Davidson overpaid, albeit moderately, for McKee. The Blues never expected offense from a solid stay-at-home blueliner -- he scored 17 points as a Bluenote -- but injuries and the changing officiating standard limited him to the point where the Blues are now buying out the final year of McKee's contract.
Rob Blake, defenseman: two years, $12 million
A Blake homecoming in Los Angeles seemed like a natural, but he was largely ineffectual on a team in deep rebuilding mode. He did, however, conclude a bounce-back season with San Jose this year after a mediocre training camp that had Sharks GM Doug Wilson worried.
2007
Todd Bertuzzi, right wing: two years, $8 million
Burke, the Ducks GM at the time, was far too loyal to a player who had starred for him (pre-Steve Moore) in their Vancouver days together. Neither the money nor term was flat outrageous, but Bertuzzi, according to a teammate "was toxic in the dressing room" during his one season with Anaheim. After one season in Calgary, Bertuzzi is again on the market.
Daniel Brière, center: eight years, $52 million
Centers Mike Richards and Jeff Carter have moved ahead of him for the Flyers, leaving the small pivot as the third-wheel making first-line money. His term plus cap hit make the oft-injured Brière almost impossible to trade.
Chris Drury, center: five years, $35.25 million
Like Brière, Drury walked from Buffalo two summers ago. And like his ex-teammate, Drury mostly has disappointed. He brings laudable intangibles to the Rangers' mix, but at a cap hit of more than $7 million annually, Broadway would appreciate some tangibles beyond 47 goals in his first two years. He was a poor fit as a No. 1 center for Jaromir Jagr, before Jagr left for the KHL.
Scott Gomez, center: seven years, $51.5 million
He crossed the Hudson from New Jersey and apparently left some of his game with him in the Lincoln Tunnel. Another poor fit for Jagr -- he carried the puck too much -- Gomez' copious energy and speed have not translated into productivity commensurate with the salary. He has had, however, 16 points in 17 playoff games with the Rangers.
Ryan Smyth, left wing: five years, $31.25 million
Smyth still scores some of the most butt-ugly goals on the planet -- just not enough of them. He has 40 in two seasons with Colorado. His work ethic remains unmatched, but on a bad team that could get even worse before it gets better, he is hardly a difference-maker.
Michael Nylander, center: four years, $19.5 million
The ex-Ranger who did the best job dishing to Jagr has been a disaster with the Capitals, in part because of an injury that limited him to 40 games his first season back in Washington. But last season he had just nine goals and 24 assists in 72 matches and played in just three playoff games. Given the glorious chemistry between Alex Ovechkin and center Nicklas Backstrom, Nylander has no place on the team, which is why the Capitals would not be averse to the veteran bolting to the KHL. Of course, it might be tough to convince Mrs. Nylander, as her husband had an agreement with Edmonton in 2007 but backed out at the 13th hour, instead signing with Washington because his bride was not enamored with the charms of Alberta.
2008
Brian Campbell, defenseman: eight years $56.8 million
Campbell still has plenty of time to turn this around, of course, but Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith look like they will be the No. 1 pair in Chicago for a long time. A $7 million cap hit for a defenseman who averaged just 20:28 of ice time in the playoffs last spring does not augur well.
Cristobal Huet, goaltender: four years, $22.4 million
What is it with the wacky Hawks and goaltenders? After giving Nikolai Khabibulin a four-year, $27 million contract in 2005, Chicago lavished this deal on Huet. At least Khabibulin won a Cup in Tampa Bay. Huet had some strong stretches in Montreal and played splendidly to get the Capitals into the 2008 playoffs (although he was poor in their first-round loss to Philly), but the portfolio is thin. He is a mid-range No. 1 goalie who couldn't supplant Khabibulin, who Chicago was trying to dump early last season.
Wade Redden, defenseman: six years, $39 million
Redden looked like a capable puck-moving defenseman at a hefty but not exorbitant price. At least he did in 2007 when the Senators went to the Cup final. He was horrid in his first season in New York. The glimmer of hope for Rangers president Glen Sather is the few capable games that Redden played in their first-round loss to Washington.