Rating The Free Agent Moves, Day One

The Overspender

There always has to be one. In the last few years, the New York Islanders have held the spot as stupidest overspenders, with Toronto not far behind. The prize this year goes to Chicago, who after signing Cristobal Huet, now have 13 million, or almost one quarter of their entire cap space, locked up in goaltending for this season.

Huet's deal is a four year, $5.4 million per year deal.

Fool me once (Khabibulin 7+ million) shame on you.

Fool me twice (Huet 5+million four year contract) shame on the idiot GM in Chicago.

Also signed by Chicago was star defenceman Brian Campbell to a $7.14 million/year, eight year contract. Campbell is worth $7-8 million per season on a shorter contract, but an eight year contract is ridiculous!

A second contender of overspender of the year goes to Vancouver who have offered Mats Sundin $20 million over two years. Sundin is good, but I wouldn't think he was good enough to be the highest paid player in the entire league!

The Genius Moves

Detroit has shown their typical genius by signing Ty Conklin to a one year, $700,000 contract.

Compare last year and overall career stats. Huet vs Conklin.

Cristobal Huet

Age 33

Salary - $5.4 million per year for four years.

2007-2008	Canadiens	39	2,277	21	12	-	6	97	1,150	2	2.55	.916
2007-2008	Capitals	13	771	11	2	-	0	21	329	2	1.63	.936
NHL Career:		183	10,178	83	61	11	13	412	5,046	17	2.43	.918

Ty Conklin

Age: 31

Salary $0.75 million per year for one year.

2007-2008	Penguins	33	1,865	18	8	-	5	78	1,013	2	2.51	.923
NHL Totals:		109	5,739	48	32	4	8	249	2,727	4	2.60	.909

At some point this season, people are going to look over the stats and compare what they are getting out of their players. Conklin and Huet have very comparable career numbers. Huet is getting paid almost eight times what the Conklin is.

I respect Detroit's mentality - go cheap with the netminders if you can.

Netminding, Detroit vs Chicago

Detroit

Osgood - $800,000,  .914 save percentage, 2.09 GAA, 27-9-4

Conklin  - $700,000,  .923 save percentage, 2.51 GAA, 18-8-5

Chicago

Khabibulin - $7,100,000, .909 save percentage, 2.63 GAA, 23-20-6

Huet         - $5,400,000, .920 save percentage, 2.32 GAA, 32-14-6

At around 1/9th the price, I think Detroit got the better deal.