FA Frenzy Day 3

July 3, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Thus far, it’s been fairly quiet on Day 3. No shock. Hey. Not every day can be as riveting as Wednesday and yesterday had its moments.

Here are today’s signings with probably more to come later which we’ll tack on:

1.Ruslan Fedotenko re-signs with the Pens for 1 yr, $1.8 million. After a blah regular season, he showed his 2004 Lightning form posting 14 points and a plus-9 in Pittsburgh’s Cup win. Not bad. So, a good keep for the champs.

2.Mikael Samuelsson leaves Motown for British Columbia agreeing to a 3 yr, $7.5 million deal with the Canucks. Solid addition who can play a support role joining his fellow countrymen. Price is about right.

3.Shane Hnidy signs with the Wild to a one-year contract (no terms). He was basically a support D in Boston. Might play a little more in St. Paul.

4.Shaun Heshka agrees to 1-yr contract with Coyotes, who acquired the defenseman from Vancity last month.

5.Jason Krog signs with Thrashers. Credit Nucks Misconduct. AHL fodder.

That’s it for now. Couple of other headlines:

A.Selanne says he’s retiring after 2009-10

“The next season is without doubt my last. This time my decision will be kept,” he said.

I love Teemu. He’s always been one of my favorites since the Winnipeg days when he scored a rookie record 76 and 132 points. What a player the Finnish Flash has been. He needs 21 goals to reach 600. Regardless, put No.8 in the Hockey Hall of Fame!

B.Recchi hints this could be it

“I’m playing for one more. That’s why I’m coming back,” he said. “I’ve had some personal things I’ve done throughout my career, and I’m playing for one more ring. That’s the most important thing for me.

“The reason I like Boston is 99 per cent of the guys on that team really want to win a Cup and that’s the most important thing in that dressing room.“

How could you not respect Recchi? Another guy who’s had a great career winning Cups and continuing to be productive even as he’s gotten older in a much younger/faster league. He has 545 goals and 1,442 points for his career. I’d love to see him reach 1,500 but that will be a tough task on the very deep B’s. But what I admire most is that doesn’t matter. Winning does. This is a guy who’s been there and done it giving maximum effort whereever he’s been. Not bad for a former 1988 Pens’ fourth round pick. There should be a place for Recchi ball in Toronto.