The Crosby and Parise bromance is over

News broke Wednesday afternoon the Zach Parise had agreed to a 13 year deal with the Minnesota Wild. In the process of signing a deal with the Wild Parise broke a verbal agreement he had with the Pittsburgh Penguins and his good friend Sidney Crosby. Turns out Crosby isn't taking the news so well.

Source: "Crosby is RAGING right now. Said he'll never talk to Parise again. Lied to him and to organization and broke promise." #Pens
— Hockeyy Insiderr (@HockeyyInsiderr) July 4, 2012

 Everything that @HockeyyInsider says needs to be taken with a grain of salt, a lot of it is false. While his tweet may have blown things out of proportion, there has to be some truth to this. It was reported that Crosby called Parise 3 times to try and convince him to join the Penguins. Crosby also excepted less money on his contract extension, so they Penguins would have enough money to get him a solid winger like Parise. Unfotunetly for Crosby a "verbal agreement" in this day and age means nothing. Unless there is signed paperwork nothing is written in stone.

Parise chose to return home to finish out his hockey career where it began in Minnesota. His father played for the Minnesota North Stars and Parise lives in Minnesota during the offseason. Parise chose to be close to home instead and instead of playing with long time friend Crosby, he chose to join forces with another friend and fellow free agent Ryan Suter. Suter and Parise signed identical contracts with the Wild worth $98 million over 13 years. Parise said it was important to him that his friend Suter was treated fairly and offered a solid amount of money.

You have to hand it to Parise. It was a risky decision to turn down an opportunity to play with long time friend and arguably one of the best players in the world and join a Stanley Cup contending team to go and play on a team that will have a difficult time just making the playoffs!

But here's what really rubs me the wrong way about the 13 year $98 million deals that Parise and Suter signed:

Let me see if I get this, Crosby is the best player on the planet and is worth $104M, Parise/Suter are top 25-30 and get $98M #MakeSense
— Ryan Moynes (@ryanmoynes) July 4, 2012

While I may be in the majority of people who think this way but Parise and Suter are no where even close to being worth that much money! In my ranking Parise is not inside the top 5 forwards, heck he's not even inside my top 20 and don't even get me started about Suter. Unfortuently for the Wild and Penguins and other teams that were in the running, this is a very weak free agency class there aren't many markee players. Which makes the prices for players go through the roof because they see teams are throwing money at them, they think they deserve it.

If NHL teams keep throwing absolutely ridiculous amounts of money at players who don't deserve that type of money the league is going to be bankrupt. In order to make up for the money the Wild spent they now have to raise ticket prices. Eventually when ticket prices get extremely expensive people stop buying them! Here's a quote from non other than the Minnesota owner Craig Leipold:

“We’re not making money and that’s one reason we need to fix our system. We need to fix how much we are spending.” – Craig Leipold April 11, 2012

Maybe if you didn't spend $196 million on two players, you could make some money! Talk about hypocrisy.

To make matters worse for the Penguins, who lost Crosby's current wing Steve Sullivan to free agency just before news broke they lost Parise as well. The Penguins weren't even one of the final two teams he was looking at. The two teams he was debating between were his current team the New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild. I guess the only thing Crosby can sell is tickets.

While Parise may not be getting any more calls from Crosby he will be heading home to play in his hometown, a homecoming of sorts. Guess winning wasn't all that important to him.
The way the media treated Parise and Suter joining forces you would think all the news was about Crosby and Ovechkin joining forces. Maybe one day?

P.S- I don't have anything against Crosby, Suter or Parise. This was more of a humours article poking a little fun at the players. What good is hockey if it's all serious even in the off season?

The Crosby and Parise bromance is over

News broke Wednesday afternoon the Zach Parise had agreed to a 13 year deal with the Minnesota Wild. In the process of signing a deal with the Wild Parise broke a verbal agreement he had with the Pittsburgh Penguins and his good friend Sidney Crosby. Turns out Crosby isn't taking the news so well.

Source: "Crosby is RAGING right now. Said he'll never talk to Parise again. Lied to him and to organization and broke promise." #Pens
— Hockeyy Insiderr (@HockeyyInsiderr) July 4, 2012

 Everything that @HockeyyInsider says needs to be taken with a grain of salt, a lot of it is false. While his tweet may have blown things out of proportion, there has to be some truth to this. It was reported that Crosby called Parise 3 times to try and convince him to join the Penguins. Crosby also excepted less money on his contract extension, so they Penguins would have enough money to get him a solid winger like Parise. Unfotunetly for Crosby a "verbal agreement" in this day and age means nothing. Unless there is signed paperwork nothing is written in stone.

Parise chose to return home to finish out his hockey career where it began in Minnesota. His father played for the Minnesota North Stars and Parise lives in Minnesota during the offseason. Parise chose to be close to home instead and instead of playing with long time friend Crosby, he chose to join forces with another friend and fellow free agent Ryan Suter. Suter and Parise signed identical contracts with the Wild worth $98 million over 13 years. Parise said it was important to him that his friend Suter was treated fairly and offered a solid amount of money.

You have to hand it to Parise. It was a risky decision to turn down an opportunity to play with long time friend and arguably one of the best players in the world and join a Stanley Cup contending team to go and play on a team that will have a difficult time just making the playoffs!

But here's what really rubs me the wrong way about the 13 year $98 million deals that Parise and Suter signed:

Let me see if I get this, Crosby is the best player on the planet and is worth $104M, Parise/Suter are top 25-30 and get $98M #MakeSense
— Ryan Moynes (@ryanmoynes) July 4, 2012

While I may be in the majority of people who think this way but Parise and Suter are no where even close to being worth that much money! In my ranking Parise is not inside the top 5 forwards, heck he's not even inside my top 20 and don't even get me started about Suter. Unfortuently for the Wild and Penguins and other teams that were in the running, this is a very weak free agency class there aren't many markee players. Which makes the prices for players go through the roof because they see teams are throwing money at them, they think they deserve it.

If NHL teams keep throwing absolutely ridiculous amounts of money at players who don't deserve that type of money the league is going to be bankrupt. In order to make up for the money the Wild spent they now have to raise ticket prices. Eventually when ticket prices get extremely expensive people stop buying them! Here's a quote from non other than the Minnesota owner Craig Leipold:

“We’re not making money and that’s one reason we need to fix our system. We need to fix how much we are spending.” – Craig Leipold April 11, 2012

Maybe if you didn't spend $196 million on two players, you could make some money! Talk about hypocrisy.

To make matters worse for the Penguins, who lost Crosby's current wing Steve Sullivan to free agency just before news broke they lost Parise as well. The Penguins weren't even one of the final two teams he was looking at. The two teams he was debating between were his current team the New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild. I guess the only thing Crosby can sell is tickets.

While Parise may not be getting any more calls from Crosby he will be heading home to play in his hometown, a homecoming of sorts. Guess winning wasn't all that important to him.
The way the media treated Parise and Suter joining forces you would think all the news was about Crosby and Ovechkin joining forces. Maybe one day?

P.S- I don't have anything against Crosby, Suter or Parise. This was more of a humours article poking a little fun at the players. What good is hockey if it's all serious even in the off season?

Free Agency Update July 4th

It is with great pleasure that I announce the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter drama is now behind us. On July 4th also known as independance day, the two stars signed away their independance to the Minnesota Wild. NHL Free Agency may officially begin as the two guys holding everything up are now off the market.

Zach Parise and Ryan Suter sign 13 year deals with Minnesota
Yes you read that correctly Parise and Suter the two biggest names on the market this free agency have decided to join together and play on the same team. The Wild and the two superstars have agreed on 13 year identical contracts worth $98 million. The contracts will keep them in Minnesota until the 2024-2025 season. Parise the former Devil got the most attention during the free agency fenzy, having been reported to have a verbal negotiation with the Red Wings and being harrassed by Sidney Crosby to come and join the Penguins. Suter flew under the radar and stayed quite right up until signing with the Wild. Both players are 27 and joining just their 2nd NHL team in their careers. Despite these two massive signing the Wild will still be in a dogfight for the 8th and final playoff seed in the West next season. (yes the West is that good)

We view this as a rare opportunity for us to transform our franchise by adding two marquee players, who are both in the prime of their careers, at the same time.”

Now that these two are off the market expect talks to heat up around other free agents who are looking to offer their services to the 29 other teams that lost out of the Parise and Suter sweepstakes. Only time will tell if this turns out to be a solid deal.

Jaromir Jagr signs 1 year deal with Dallas
The Russian star is heading to the Stars for next season. The Stars believe the 40 year old still has gas left in the tank and can help their team take the next step. The two sides agreed to a 1 year deal worth $4.55 million.

Steve Sullivan signs 1 year deal with Pheonix
The Coyotes went after the veteran forward to help improve their power play. The two sides agreed to a 1 year $1.85 million contract

Taylor Pyatt signs 2 year deal with the New York Rangers
Pyatt is a player I have always been a fan of, don't ask me why i've just always liked to watch him play.   He spent last season in the desert with the coyotes. The two sides agreed to a 2 year $3.1 million contract.

Bryan Allen signs 3 year deal with Anaheim
One of the top defenceman on the market agreed to a 3 year deal worth $10 million with the Ducks.
He will be joining veteran Sheldon Souray who signed a 3 year deal worth $11 million. 


Top names still available


Matt Carle- Played last season with the Flyers and is one of the top defenceman available after Suter. Carle was waiting till the end of the Suter/Parise sweepstakes to go to a team that missed out on them.
Alexander Semin- Still no word on where Semin will go, but much like Carle he wanted to wait until after the two big dogs were out of the way. 

Free Agency Update July 4th

It is with great pleasure that I announce the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter drama is now behind us. On July 4th also known as independance day, the two stars signed away their independance to the Minnesota Wild. NHL Free Agency may officially begin as the two guys holding everything up are now off the market.

Zach Parise and Ryan Suter sign 13 year deals with Minnesota
Yes you read that correctly Parise and Suter the two biggest names on the market this free agency have decided to join together and play on the same team. The Wild and the two superstars have agreed on 13 year identical contracts worth $98 million. The contracts will keep them in Minnesota until the 2024-2025 season. Parise the former Devil got the most attention during the free agency fenzy, having been reported to have a verbal negotiation with the Red Wings and being harrassed by Sidney Crosby to come and join the Penguins. Suter flew under the radar and stayed quite right up until signing with the Wild. Both players are 27 and joining just their 2nd NHL team in their careers. Despite these two massive signing the Wild will still be in a dogfight for the 8th and final playoff seed in the West next season. (yes the West is that good)

We view this as a rare opportunity for us to transform our franchise by adding two marquee players, who are both in the prime of their careers, at the same time.”

Now that these two are off the market expect talks to heat up around other free agents who are looking to offer their services to the 29 other teams that lost out of the Parise and Suter sweepstakes. Only time will tell if this turns out to be a solid deal.

Jaromir Jagr signs 1 year deal with Dallas
The Russian star is heading to the Stars for next season. The Stars believe the 40 year old still has gas left in the tank and can help their team take the next step. The two sides agreed to a 1 year deal worth $4.55 million.

Steve Sullivan signs 1 year deal with Pheonix
The Coyotes went after the veteran forward to help improve their power play. The two sides agreed to a 1 year $1.85 million contract

Taylor Pyatt signs 2 year deal with the New York Rangers
Pyatt is a player I have always been a fan of, don't ask me why i've just always liked to watch him play.   He spent last season in the desert with the coyotes. The two sides agreed to a 2 year $3.1 million contract.

Bryan Allen signs 3 year deal with Anaheim
One of the top defenceman on the market agreed to a 3 year deal worth $10 million with the Ducks.
He will be joining veteran Sheldon Souray who signed a 3 year deal worth $11 million. 


Top names still available


Matt Carle- Played last season with the Flyers and is one of the top defenceman available after Suter. Carle was waiting till the end of the Suter/Parise sweepstakes to go to a team that missed out on them.
Alexander Semin- Still no word on where Semin will go, but much like Carle he wanted to wait until after the two big dogs were out of the way. 

Free Agency Update July 3rd

It's officially been 2 days since Free Agency began on July 1, we've seen a dozens of players sign new deals with new teams and even some return to their old teams. While we are still waiting on the big fish Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Once these two decide where they want to spend the rest of their career Free Agency will really kick into a frenzy as teams who lost the bid on the big two will be looking for second best.

 P-A Parenteau signs 4 year deal with Colorado
One of the top free agents this offseason Parenteau went off the market on the first day. Signing a 4 year $16 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

Jonas Gustavsson signs 2 year deal with Detroit
It's been a crazy week for Gustavsson. The Toronto Maple Leafs traded his rights to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 7th round draft pick. Gustavsson then decided he didn't want to stay in Winnipeg and was signed to a 2 year $3 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings. A fantastic opportunity for the young goaltender. He gets out of dodge with the media, gets the backup role on a solid team and will get to face against his former team in the Winter Classic.

Paul Gaustad signs 4 year extension with Nashville
This one pains me to right a little bit. Sabres fans were hoping that their beloved Gaustad would return to Buffalo after the season, unfortunately he's staying in Nashville. Gaustad signed a 4 year $13 million contract extension to stay with the Predators. Smart signing by the Preds who will be losing many players through free agency.

Justin Schultz signs 2 year deal with Edmonton
Finally the drama surrounding a kid who has never played an NHL game is over. Schultz made his decision and decided to head to the Oiler to "grow old" with their star young players. The Oilers have young skilled players, that are going to be extremely talented when they hit their prime. Look out for the Oilers in the future.

Colby Armstrong signs 1 year deal with Montreal
Much like Gustavsson the Leafs were hard on Armstrong this week. The Leafs decided Armstrong just wasn't going to work out in Toronto after two injury plagued seasons, that limited him to just 78 games.
The Leafs bought out the rest of Armstrong's contract and placed him on waivers to become a free agent. Armstrong didn't wait long signing a deal with the Canadiens for $1 million.

Ray Whitney signs 2 year deal with Dallas
The ageless wonder is at it again. At 40 years of age many teams were hesitant to give Whitney the extra year he wanted. So when the Stars agreed to give him 2 years worth $9 million he signed on the dotted line.

Brad Boyes signs 1 year deal with the New York Islanders
As a Sabres fan I am perfectly fine with Boyes leaving town. He had one good year and has not been productive or helpful for the Sabres in the last couple of years. It was time for him to go. Boyes signed a 1 year deal worth $1 million.

Zenon Konopka signs 2 year deal with Minnesota
Was interesting to see Konopka leave Ottawa. Konopka signs a 2 year $1.85 Million contract with the Wild.

Dustin Penner resigns with the Los Angeles Kings
After winning his 2nd Stanley Cup ring, Penner has decided he will stay a King for the next year.
Penner and the Kings agreed to terms on a 1 year $3.25 million contract. Smart move for both parties.

Matt Carkner signs 3 year deal with the New York Islanders
The Islanders made quite a few moves on July 1st, one of whihc was landing tough guy Matt Carkner. The Islanders and Carkner agreed to a 3 year $4.5 million contract.

Brandon Prust signs 4 year deal with Montreal
The Canadiens felt they were too weak and needed to add some character players. In addition to the signing of Armstrong, they signed tough guy Brandon Prust to a 4 year deal worth $10 million. Prust is a solid addition to the Canadiens, although he'll be missed in New York.

Filip Kuba signs 2 year deal with Florida
Ottawa had a rough time during the start of free agency as they lost a lot of their "role" players. Kuba is another player they lost. Kuba signed a contract with the Panthers and cashed in on a deal worth $8 million.

Olli Jokinen signs 2 year deal with Winnipeg
It had to be tough for the Flames to lose Jokinen. The Jets needed a centre so they found their man in Jokinen. The two sides agreed to a 2 year $9 million contract.

Joey Crabb signs 1 year deal with Washington
Crabb has left Toronto and as a result is getting a nice pay day. The Capitals signed the defenceman to a 1 year $950 thousand contract.

Jack Hillen signs a 1 year deal with Washington
Considering the fact I have never heard of Jack Hillen I wouldn't normally post his name here. But big news from me, I will be on a conference call with him later this afternoon!

Martin Brodeur signs 2 year extension with New Jersey 
Raise your hand if you thought Brodeur would leave the only team he's ever known. Now kindly lower  your hand and get your head examined. The reason he hired an agent and said he wanted to "Test free agency" is because he wasn't getting enough attention. There is another Devils player by the name of Parise who is tying up all the contract talks, Brodeur wanted to make sure he got a fair shake. He agreed to a 2 year $9 million contract, so he may finish his career as a Devil.

John Scott signs 1 year deal with Buffalo
The Buffalo Sabres wanted to get tougher this offseason, so in order to that they needed to sign a 6 foot 8 defenceman. Scott joins Tyler Myers and Joe Finley as the trio of 6 foot 8 players on the Sabres roster. Scott and the Sabres agreed to a 1 year deal worth $600 thousand.

Jiri Hudler signs 4 year deal with Calgary
The long time Red Wing is on his way north of the boarder. The Flames wanted to shake the team up this offseason to try and make the playoffs. The signing of Hudler helps that for sure. The Flames agreed to a 4 year $16 million contract.

Jason Garrison signs 6 year deal with Vancouver
The last signing I'll talk about in this post, which just so happens to be the biggest (in terms of length). The Canucks and Garrison agreed to a 6 year deal worth $27.6 million.

Who knows maybe by day 4 we will have a decision on where Parise and Suter have decided to play out there careers and then Free Agency can really get kicked into a frenzy!

Free Agency Update July 3rd

It's officially been 2 days since Free Agency began on July 1, we've seen a dozens of players sign new deals with new teams and even some return to their old teams. While we are still waiting on the big fish Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. Once these two decide where they want to spend the rest of their career Free Agency will really kick into a frenzy as teams who lost the bid on the big two will be looking for second best.

 P-A Parenteau signs 4 year deal with Colorado
One of the top free agents this offseason Parenteau went off the market on the first day. Signing a 4 year $16 million contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

Jonas Gustavsson signs 2 year deal with Detroit
It's been a crazy week for Gustavsson. The Toronto Maple Leafs traded his rights to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 7th round draft pick. Gustavsson then decided he didn't want to stay in Winnipeg and was signed to a 2 year $3 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings. A fantastic opportunity for the young goaltender. He gets out of dodge with the media, gets the backup role on a solid team and will get to face against his former team in the Winter Classic.

Paul Gaustad signs 4 year extension with Nashville
This one pains me to right a little bit. Sabres fans were hoping that their beloved Gaustad would return to Buffalo after the season, unfortunately he's staying in Nashville. Gaustad signed a 4 year $13 million contract extension to stay with the Predators. Smart signing by the Preds who will be losing many players through free agency.

Justin Schultz signs 2 year deal with Edmonton
Finally the drama surrounding a kid who has never played an NHL game is over. Schultz made his decision and decided to head to the Oiler to "grow old" with their star young players. The Oilers have young skilled players, that are going to be extremely talented when they hit their prime. Look out for the Oilers in the future.

Colby Armstrong signs 1 year deal with Montreal
Much like Gustavsson the Leafs were hard on Armstrong this week. The Leafs decided Armstrong just wasn't going to work out in Toronto after two injury plagued seasons, that limited him to just 78 games.
The Leafs bought out the rest of Armstrong's contract and placed him on waivers to become a free agent. Armstrong didn't wait long signing a deal with the Canadiens for $1 million.

Ray Whitney signs 2 year deal with Dallas
The ageless wonder is at it again. At 40 years of age many teams were hesitant to give Whitney the extra year he wanted. So when the Stars agreed to give him 2 years worth $9 million he signed on the dotted line.

Brad Boyes signs 1 year deal with the New York Islanders
As a Sabres fan I am perfectly fine with Boyes leaving town. He had one good year and has not been productive or helpful for the Sabres in the last couple of years. It was time for him to go. Boyes signed a 1 year deal worth $1 million.

Zenon Konopka signs 2 year deal with Minnesota
Was interesting to see Konopka leave Ottawa. Konopka signs a 2 year $1.85 Million contract with the Wild.

Dustin Penner resigns with the Los Angeles Kings
After winning his 2nd Stanley Cup ring, Penner has decided he will stay a King for the next year.
Penner and the Kings agreed to terms on a 1 year $3.25 million contract. Smart move for both parties.

Matt Carkner signs 3 year deal with the New York Islanders
The Islanders made quite a few moves on July 1st, one of whihc was landing tough guy Matt Carkner. The Islanders and Carkner agreed to a 3 year $4.5 million contract.

Brandon Prust signs 4 year deal with Montreal
The Canadiens felt they were too weak and needed to add some character players. In addition to the signing of Armstrong, they signed tough guy Brandon Prust to a 4 year deal worth $10 million. Prust is a solid addition to the Canadiens, although he'll be missed in New York.

Filip Kuba signs 2 year deal with Florida
Ottawa had a rough time during the start of free agency as they lost a lot of their "role" players. Kuba is another player they lost. Kuba signed a contract with the Panthers and cashed in on a deal worth $8 million.

Olli Jokinen signs 2 year deal with Winnipeg
It had to be tough for the Flames to lose Jokinen. The Jets needed a centre so they found their man in Jokinen. The two sides agreed to a 2 year $9 million contract.

Joey Crabb signs 1 year deal with Washington
Crabb has left Toronto and as a result is getting a nice pay day. The Capitals signed the defenceman to a 1 year $950 thousand contract.

Jack Hillen signs a 1 year deal with Washington
Considering the fact I have never heard of Jack Hillen I wouldn't normally post his name here. But big news from me, I will be on a conference call with him later this afternoon!

Martin Brodeur signs 2 year extension with New Jersey 
Raise your hand if you thought Brodeur would leave the only team he's ever known. Now kindly lower  your hand and get your head examined. The reason he hired an agent and said he wanted to "Test free agency" is because he wasn't getting enough attention. There is another Devils player by the name of Parise who is tying up all the contract talks, Brodeur wanted to make sure he got a fair shake. He agreed to a 2 year $9 million contract, so he may finish his career as a Devil.

John Scott signs 1 year deal with Buffalo
The Buffalo Sabres wanted to get tougher this offseason, so in order to that they needed to sign a 6 foot 8 defenceman. Scott joins Tyler Myers and Joe Finley as the trio of 6 foot 8 players on the Sabres roster. Scott and the Sabres agreed to a 1 year deal worth $600 thousand.

Jiri Hudler signs 4 year deal with Calgary
The long time Red Wing is on his way north of the boarder. The Flames wanted to shake the team up this offseason to try and make the playoffs. The signing of Hudler helps that for sure. The Flames agreed to a 4 year $16 million contract.

Jason Garrison signs 6 year deal with Vancouver
The last signing I'll talk about in this post, which just so happens to be the biggest (in terms of length). The Canucks and Garrison agreed to a 6 year deal worth $27.6 million.

Who knows maybe by day 4 we will have a decision on where Parise and Suter have decided to play out there careers and then Free Agency can really get kicked into a frenzy!