Let the Madness Begin

Here's the scoop - the free agent "frenzy" kicks off in exactly two hours. There are rumblings that this could be quite the crazy, action-packed day. Throughout the day I'll be taking my Red Bull and PowerBars, doing my best to update the most recent signings and roster moves here, but I'm sure in the meantime everyone has something to say.

So here in the Cheap Seats I'm taking a page from my superior colleague and kicking off an open thread to discuss what you want, when you want. I know its Sunday and most people have lives, but if you're kicking around waiting for the contract news to trickle in like me and you stumble through here, feel free to make your voice heard.

• Who do you want to see in the red, white and blue?
• Which signing would make you rip out your hair?
• What team will be the most active? How about the least active?
• Who do you (realistically) think the Caps (or your favorite team) will bring in?
• Will Gilligan ever get off that damn island?

Discuss...

Update: Pascal Dupuis signs 1 year, $880K contract w/ Atlanta; Joe Thornton signs 3-year contract extension w/ San Jose

(Mental) Update: For some reason I have that Tom Petty song running on a loop through my head...you know, "The waiting is the hardest part / Every day you see one more card / You take it on faith, you take it to the heart / The waiting is the hardest part..."

Update: Iginla is on the verge of signing a long-term contract with Calgary, reported to keep him there through either 2010-11 or 2011-12. As you all know Calgary is my third team (anyone keeping track of how many there are? I've lost count), so as a sort-of Flames fan I say YAY! That was one of the issues facing Calgary next year at this time - glad to see they got Iggy tied up; he's definitely the heart and soul of that Flames team.

Update: Todd White signs with the Thrashers, 4 years at just over $2 million/year. And may I just say...Todd who? Big, exciting day so far, folks.

Update: The excitement continues as RFA Ryan Whitney has agreed to a contract extension w/ the Penguins, terms as yet unannounced. Woo.

Update: The Caps have signed Tom Poti to a 4 year, $3.5 mil/year deal. Huh. Not sure how I feel about that, although it adds veteran presence to the blueline and gives us a stay at home d-man...more later after I've processed.

Update: Florida has signed Brett Mclean to a 3-year deal and Richard Zednik to a 2-year deal, thus continuing a long line of confusing moves by the kitty cats.

Update Mathieu Schneider has signed a 2-yr, $11.25 million deal with the Ducks - looks like Niedermeyer is hanging them up, although I don't know the value of overpaying someone just as old and not as skilled to take his place...

Update: I'm hearing (unconfirmed) rumblings that Briere is officially a Flyer and Gomez has signed with the Rangers...updates to come, stay tuned. Update to the update, per TSN.ca: Daniel Briere has signed with the Philadelphia Flyers for eight years and $52 million. The deal includes a no movement clause.

Update: Calgary signs defenceman Cory Sarich to a five year, $18 million deal. Good upgrade for a team that will probably lose Hamrlik to free agency in the next few days.

Update: (coming fast and furious now, eh?) Brian Rafalski agrees to a five year, $30 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

Update: Forward Yanic Perreault agrees to terms with the Chicago Blackhawks on a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Poor Yanic...not really sure why he keeps bouncing around so much, he's always been a favorite of mine. Can you imagine him here? Picture 82 games of Locker calling him "No Panic Yanic". Too bad.

Update: A quick check of Tom Poti's Wikipedia entry informs us that he has a number of assorted allergies, including chocolate, peanuts and MSG. Huh. MSG? Didn't he used to play for the Rangers at Madison Square Garden? (Oh, I crack myself up...). He's also a Yankees fan...wonder what Clark will think about that!

Update: (More semi-interesting deals)
- The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed right winger Michel Ouellet to a two-year deal worth $1.2 and $1.3 million. [At least he didn't come to the Caps.]
- The Carolina Hurricanes agree to a two-year contract worth $800,000 per year with forward Jeff Hamilton. [Who?]
- Florida Panthers have signed forward Radek Dvorak to a two-year contract. [Panthers have been busy the last few days, that doesn't bode well if any of their dealings pan out...this division is getting a little scarier.]
- The Boston Bruins have signed free-agent right winger Shawn Thornton to a multi-year contract. [Another bizarre and uninteresting Boston pick-up, along with Manny Fernandez last night.]

Update: The Atlanta Thrashers have signed forward Eric Perrin to a two year deal worth $1.5 million. The Southeast shuffle continues.

Okay, I'm out. For updated free agent signings check some of the other blogs or the source everyone is already using, TSN.ca's real time Free Agent Tracker. If the Caps do anything else I'm sure I'll be back on to discuss it - if they sign Yashin, you can count on it.