Sydor Highlights

After his 18 solid NHL seasons, having played in 1,291 games, scoring 98 goals, and having 408 assists, Darryl Sydor has announced his retirement from the game and has taken a job as the assistant coach to the Minnesota Wild's AHL team, the Houston Aeros.
Having played with 6 teams, Sydor has definitely had some great moments.

Check out his Career Retrospective in photos.

Top Free Agents

I don't know about anyone else but I'm not very happy with this years free agency. First of all, it seems like teams aren't backing their players like they have in the past. The prime example being Sergei Gonchar. Prior to Gonchar signing with the Sens I read dozes of articles on why the Penguins should not re-sign him for next season. The main reason being age/retirement during the set contract.

Gonchar has been with the Penguins for the past 5 seasons and has definitely shown what he brings to the team. Every time Gonchar scored this season the Penguins won the game. He ranked no. 7 in the league for highest scoring defenseman. Anyone watching the game can see what he does for the team during the pp. They definitely made a big mistake in not re-signing him to the mere 5 million per year for 3 years that he was asking. Instead they signed Zbynek Michalek to an even longer contract, 5 years, for $20 million total. Michalek is a highly defensive player and only scored 3 regular season goals for the Coyotes this past season. With the defensive switch the Pens are going to have even more trouble in the offensive end and with the powerplay this coming season.

Gonchar Senators Interview


Being 10 days into free agency there are still a ton of free agents still on the market. Everyone is talking about Kovalchuck and all of the huge deals that he has turned down. In reports from today from NHL Fanhouse, Kovalchuck has a 17-year $100+ million deal on the table with the Devils. Everyone thought he would not be able to get more than the Thrasher's offer of the 7 year $100 million contract but he has.

Here are my TOP Free Agents that have yet to be signed.
This season I am pro-veteran. Teams seems to be casting aside the players who have helped them grow to become what they are today. Yeah, I'm talking about the Canes sidelining Brind'Amour and Scott Niedermayer supposedly being "bullied" into retirement.

Forward
Bill Guerin
Not only does Billy G bring experience and leadership, he brings a high scoring record for a reasonable cost. Guerin scored 21 goals and 45 points with the Pens last season and is not looking to stop anytime soon. He has publicly expressed his want to stay in Pittsburgh and continue to play.

Defense
Nick Boyton
Coming off of a Stanley Cup win, Boyton has 10 years of solid experience that he can bring to any team. He is a very defensive player and has had a positive plus/minus for the last three teams that he has played with.


Jay Mckee
Mckee is known for his talent of blocking shots, blocking 137 for the Pens this season. He has also had a positive plus/minus in 11 out of his career 14 seasons and would be a great asset to any team with a low salary of $800,000.


Goaltender
Jose Theodore
Jose played a major role in the Capitals success this season. He finished the season with an amazing 30-7-7 record for the Caps, well above the league average of 14 wins. Theodore won this years Masterton trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication.