I've been noticing (as I'm sure everyone has) all these dozens of re-signings throughout the NHL.
It's got me thinking, are we ever going to see a strong free agency year again?
Rick DiPietro won't be up for grabs until he's long past any potential as an elite goalie. (2020-21)
Alexander Ovechkin's going to be a Capital until he might ("Gasp!") be a second-liner.
Thomas Vanek won't be able to explore his options until he's eaten at every restaurant in Buffalo (2013-14) and he'll be joined by Derek Roy (2012-13).
Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss are going to be roaming the beaches of Florida until I'm looking at college options (2012-13).
Martin Broduer will probably retire before his contract with New Jersey (2011-12) is up, and teammates Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus will outlast him by a year, contract-wise.
Trent Hunter will feel like a true veteran by the time his Isles 'tract is up after the 2012-13 season.
Scott Gomez will be at the mercy of Devils fans 6 times a year until 2013-14, providing he actually chooses to leave the Rangers at that time. Teammate Henrik Lundqvist will be "King" of New York until then as well, providing he chooses to leave.
I could go on and on, but I won't for the sake of your sanity.
Basically, quite a few NHLers on pretty much every team aren't going anywhere via the UFA/RFA market for a good while. Trades are always a possibility (and all too often a reality), but there's an ever-annoying answer to that as well, the no-trade clause. Hopefully some NHL GM's will learn from the fiasco that the Maple Leafs got into with no-trade clauses.
But that's my slightly important rant of the day, thanks for reading.
DALLAS STARS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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