New Era in NHL Salaries

Thomas Vanek just reminded the entire NHL why its good to re-sign your Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) before they become such, and it only cost Buffalo $50 million over 7 years to learn that lesson!

What what WHAT? Yes, that’s right. Edmonton watched as the Free Agency (FA) market dried up by weeks end and decided it was time to send in the big dogs (money, that is). They began talks with UFA Thomas Vanek of Buffalo and finally laid down an offer that would make ANY NHL star blink, 10mil the first year, 8mil the second, and 32mil over the following 5 years. That’s right, 6 years from now Thomas Vanek would be looking at a $6 million paycheck … not next year but 6 years from now.

Buffalo wasn’t left with much of a choice either. You see, once a UFA signs the offer letter the players team has to decide if they’re going to match the player or give him up. They already watched Drury, Brier and Zubris walk away, demolishing their Presidents Trophey winning lineup – it’s go time.

Check out what’s been going on with this years FA market by checking out some of these resources:

• National Sources:
  • NHL 2007 FA Signings List
  • TSN Signings List
    
• Dallas Stars bais:
  • Andrew’s Stars Page
  • Dallas Morning News
    

It’s a crazy market – where’d your favorite players end up?

–the wall
DallasStarsPodcast.com
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Stars @ Canucks

It was truely a great game. I know, "but Jay, it was another 1 goal game!" It was one of the most exciting 1 goal games I've ever seen. First of all, that was a beautiful goal. Stefan's pass up to the break-away Eriksson ... it just couldn't have looked any prettier. That, followed by the shootout? That heart wrenching shootout? Yes, we lost in the end, sure there are shoulda woulda coulda's ... If nothing else, look at the Three Stars of the Game, or at least the first two. Roberto Luongo and Marty Turco. How often do you see the losing goaltender in that list?

I hope you had a chance to watch that game. If not, I hope you have it recorded somewhere or can find it on YouTube or Google (I looked already today, couldn't find it).

Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to tonights game vs Edmonton. Mark over at Andrew's Dallas Stars Page has pulled out and put back and pulled out again the big red panic button and if we don't win tonight I think I'll let him hit it. Good news for us? We're a strong team, even with our 4 forwards out, our backups are showing their worth. Also, we haven't lost a game in Edmonton since 2004, so we've got a great streak up there. However, Vancouver just came off their 1000th franchise win and snapped a 4 game losing streak by throwing Florida to the ice 4-1 Tuesday. I guess we'll see.