This is a free agent frenzy?
In the free agent class of 2007, 27 contracts were negotiated and announced on the first day of free agency on July 1. Names like Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Danny Briere, Ryan Smyth, Jason Blake, and many, many others went on the first day to huge contracts not only in terms of years, but in overall value.
On the second day, another 20 names were crossed off the list, and when the first week was over, another 57 were signed, sealed, and delivered, most to monster contracts.
This season, although the number of players signed through the first week have actually been higher, the dollar amount of the contracts handed out have been a mere fraction of what they were then even factoring in Kovalchuk's monster would be deal.
We all know the salary cap has played a major role in curtailing the amount of money thrown around, but the reasons go a little beyond simply the cap itself.
Would Ilya Kovalchuk remained unsigned for as long as he was this year if he were a free agent in 2007?
Keep in mind that there was a salary cap in 2007 also. One that was much lower than it is today at around 59 million now to ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Frank Trovato
NHL Free Agency Sputters Along the Way
July 30th, 2010 by Frank Trovato Leave a reply »
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