Free Agency Tracker (7/1/11)

If you’ve been following this blog for awhile you know how I do the opening of free agency. Similar to the trade deadline, I will have one long post that will be updated throughout the day on every signing as well as any breaking Rangers news.

I also ask if you see something that I haven’t posted, please give me a heads-up in the comments section which I will be monitoring all day.

And away we go…

Update, 10:30 p.m.:
What an anticlimatic way to end the day, but hey it’s a big decision for Brad so let him sleep on it and hopefully he dreams about setting up Iginla all night long.

I’ll be on the golf course tomorrow morning so no updates until early afternoon. I’ll post a blank post to start the day and you guys can have at it again.

Thanks again for everyone’s participation today. It made the day that much more fun.

Update, 10:23 p.m.:
Brooks has been told there would be nothing coming tonight regarding Richards’ decision.

…he makes me wait all day for nothing. I really don’t want this guy now.

Update, 10:12 p.m.:
Rupp tweets that he is excited and honored to be a part of the Rangers and can’t wait to put that sweater on.

Update, 9:48 p.m.:
Brooks says Rangers appear to be in good position with Richards though not sure of numbers.

Meanwhile, Jarome Iginla called Richards as part of the Flames sales pitch. (Dreger)

Update, 9:04 p.m.:
Rangers are still the frontrunner for Richards, but the Calgary Flames are in the hunt. (Dreger)

…i may have a heart attack tonight.

Update, 8:55 p.m.:
Gross says he expects a Rangers forward to get moved, either through trade or possible buyout, before season starts.

…with the amount of forwards that makes sense.

Update, 8:30 p.m.:
Rangers believed not close to highest bid for Richards, who is sorting it out. (Brooks)

…well that’s good to hear.

Update, 8:22 p.m.:
Rangers sign Ruslan Fedotenko to one year, $1.4M contract. (McKenzie)

…with the Rupp signing sort of surprised they brought back Feds.

Update, 6:23 p.m.:
Rupp talks with TSN about signing with Rangers…

Update, 6:05 p.m.:
Garden CEO Jim Dolan has spoken with Richards. (Brooks)

…oh crap.

Update, 5:59 p.m.:
Leafs Assistant GM Nonis to speak to the media after 6pm. Out of Richards sweepstakes? (Millard)

Update, 5:50 p.m.:
Rangers officially announce Rupp signing here.

Update, 5:45 p.m.:
Quick update…

– Sounds like everyone is in on Richards sweepstakes including Calgary. Huh?

– And the guy I liked Leino goes to Buffalo for $4.5 million per? I was hoping the Rangers could get him for $3 million.

Update, 4:01 p.m.:
OK, I need to take a break. I will be back later. Keep the conversation going in the comments section.

Update, 3:53 p.m.:
Brian Boyle’s thoughts on Rupp playing on a line with him and Prust…

Update, 3:47 p.m.:
Michael Ryder signs two year deal worth $3.5M per year with the Dallas Stars. (McKenzie)

Update, 3:39 p.m.:
Former Ranger G Alex Auld signs in OTT, one year, $1M. (McKenzie)

Update, 3:37 p.m.:
$825,000 for Hordichuk from Edmonton, one year. (NHL Update)

Update, 3:32 p.m.:
Erik Cole to Montreal four years, $18 million. (McKenzie)

Update, 3:29 p.m.:
Capitals sign Joel Ward for 4-years, $12M and Roman Hamrlik for 2-years and $7M. (TFP)

Update, 3:24 p.m.:
Marty Biron likes the Rupp signing: Welcome Mike Rupp to #NYR. I’ve seen a lot of him in front of my net the last few years. I’m really happy to have him on my side now.

Update, 3:17 p.m.:
Pittsburgh signs Steve Sullivan to a one-year, $1.5M deal. (McKenzie)

Update, 3:13 p.m.:
Tampa Bay is believed to be in with Richards and company now. (Dreger)

Update, 3:11 p.m.:
Rupp had 9g, 8a and 124 minutes in penalties last year.

Update, 3:09 p.m.:
Red Wings sign Mike Commodore for one-year, $1 million. (McKenzie)

Update, 3:00 p.m.:
Rangers agree to terms on Mike Rupp. 3 yrs. 4.5M total. (Kypreos)

…i’m sorry not a big fan at all. Didn’t Rangers make the same mistake (overpaying) for an enforcer last year?

Update, 2:58 p.m.:
Rangers focus is on Rupp not Babchuk. (Brooks)

Update, 2:56 p.m.:
Canadiens sign Peter Budaj, two years, 1.15M per. (NHL Update)

Update, 2:49 p.m.:
Hurricanes sign Brian Boucher to a 2-year deal. (Cordell)

Update, 2:47 p.m.:
Rangers in hunt for Rupp, Babchuk but unclear if offers were made. (Brooks)

…no thanks on Rupp. Babchuk would be nice.

Update, 2:35 p.m.:
Colorado signs recently obtained Varlamov for 2 years, 2.75M per. (NHL Update)

Update, 2:31 p.m.:
Flyers have agreed to a multi-year contract with free agent C Max Talbot. (Flyers)

…the Pittsburgh Flyers.

Update, 2:30 p.m.:
Vrbata signs three year, $9M deal to stay in Phoenix. (McKenzie)

Update, 2:24 p.m.:
Leafs spent an hour with Richards, Pat Morris and a variety of Newport reps. Nonis, Fletcher and Loiselle presented their offer. (Dreger)

Update, 2:18 p.m.:
Coyotes sign G Mike Smith. (Coyotes)

Update, 2:14 p.m.:
Devils re-sign Johan Hedberg for one-year. (NHL Update)

Update, 2:11 p.m.:
Rumblings that teams presenting to Richards are pitching 12.8M max offer in years 1 and 2. (Kypreos)

…run Glen run. Run far away.

Update, 2:05 p.m.:
Rangers will get the chance to match on Richards at the end of day. (Brooks)

…are you serious? So let teams bid all day for him then go to the New York ATMs to see if they can do better. Unreal.

Update, 2:03 p.m.:
Capitals have traded Semyon Varlamov to the Avalanche for first round pick in 2012 and a second round pick in 2012 or 2013. (Washington Post)

Update, 1:57 p.m.:
Flyers sign D Andreas Lilja. (TFP)

Update, 1:52 p.m.:
Andrew Brunette signs with the Hawks for 1-year, $2 million. (McKenzie)

Update, 1:50 p.m.:
Jan Hejda signs with Colorado for 4 years x $3.25M per season. (McKenzie)

Update, 1:43 p.m.:
Flyers signs Jakub Voracek to a one year deal worth $2.25M. (McKenzie)

Update, 1:39 p.m.:
Stars finalizing contract for center Tim Connolly. (TFP)

Update, 1:36 p.m.:
Panthers sign Ed Jovanovski. (Panthers)

…wow Florida’s been active today.

Update, 1:33 p.m.:
One-year, $3.3 million for Jagr. (McKenzie)

Update, 1:28 p.m.:
Dallas Stars have agreed to terms with free agents Vernon Fiddler, Adam Pardy and Radek Dvorak. (Stars)

…Dvorak keeing the Czechmates memory alive.

Update, 1:26 p.m.:
Phoenix sig
ns Raffi Torres to a two-year deal for $1.75M per year. (McKenzie)

Update, 1:23 p.m.:
The Flyers have agreed to a contract with Jagr. (Flyers)

…wow!!!! One of the last teams I would have expected to sign him.

Update, 1:20 p.m.:
Scott Upshall sign swith the Panthers. (Fire & Ice)

Update, 1:19 p.m.:
Washington signs Jeff Halpern to one year deal for $825K. (McKenzie)

Update, 1:16 p.m.:
Signing Brunette based on past success with Gaborik in Minnesota would be a mistake. (Brooks)

Update, 1:14 p.m.:
Flames have signed D Chris Butler to a two-year deal worth $1,250,000 a season. (ESPN)

Update, 1:11 p.m.:
Chicago signs Sean O’Donnell to a one-year deal worth $850K. (McKenzie)

Update, 1:08 p.m.:
Rangers showing interest in LW Andrew Brunette. (McKenzie)

…Brunette doesn’t really seem to fit a Rangers need.

Update, 1:04 p.m.:
Panthers have signed Jose Theodore to 2-year deal. (NHL)

Update, 12:53 p.m.:
Ben Eager signs with Edmonton for three years, $3.3 million. (McKenzie)

Update, 12:48 p.m.:
Kings waiting their turn as Cliff Fletcher and the Leafs in Newport office making presentation to Brad Richards. (Kypreos)

…just an observation, but I would think it hurts the Rangers chances of getting Richards not making their pitch in person.

Update, 12:44 p.m.:
Tampa signs goalie Mathieu Garon to a two-year deal at $1.3M per year. (McKenzie)

Update, 12:34 p.m.:
Devils sign Greene for four years. (Fire & Ice)

Update, 12:26 p.m.:
Leafs waiting for call to meet with Richards. (Dreger)

Update, 12:23 p.m.:
Kings have arrived at Newport offices to meet with Brad Richards and agent Pat Morris. (Dreger)

…go Kings go.

Update, 12:21 p.m.:
Ok Flyers HAVE signed Handzus. (TSN Cullen)

Update, 12:16 p.m.:
Handzus agent saying he hasn’t been in touch with Flyers. (Ottawa Sun)

…craziness begins.

Update, 12:12 p.m.:
Flyers have signed Michal Handzus. (Philly Daily News)

Update, 12:08 p.m.:
Red Wings out of Jagr sweepstakes. (USA Today)

Update, 12:06 p.m.:
Penguins re-sign Kennedy for two-years. (TSN Cullen)

Update, 1200 p.m.:
Get excited free agency is here!!!!!!!!

Update, 11:59 a.m.:
No deal coming between Coyotes and Radim Vrbata, he’ll hit the market at noon. (Sporting News)

Update, 11:57 a.m.:
Higgins re-signs with Vancouver at two years, $1.9 million. (USA Today)

Update, 11:50 a.m.:
Leino turned down 4-year, $12 million deal from Flyers. (Philly Daily News)

…pass.

Update, 11:47 a.m.:
Flyers have not been able to reach a deal with Ville Leino, will be hitting the open market at noon. (Philly Daily News)

…he must be looking for big money. Hope Rangers stay away then.

Update, 11:38 a.m.:
Pens GM Shero statment on withdrawing Jagr offer. (Leahy)

…Pens nation just went insane.

Update, 11:35 a.m.:
Penguins withdraw offer to Jagr. (Hockey Night in Canada)

Update, 11:30 a.m.:
Sabres sign Cody McCormick, 3 years, 1.2M per. (@NHLUpdate)

Update, 11:27 a.m.:
TSN’s pre-noon handicap on Brad Richards. 1. NYR 2. LA 3. Tor 4. TB 5. Mon 6. Buff 7. Phi. (Duthie)

…noooooooooooooo!!!!

Update, 11:23 a.m.:
Devils and Andy Greene are still talking. Not impossible that he’ll be re-signed before noon. (Fire & Ice)

Update, 11:21 a.m.
Dreger has more on Richards possibly signing with the Leafs or Rangers. (TSN)

Update, 11:15 a.m.:
Montreal will go hard after Richards. (RDS)

Update, 11:08 a.m.:
Blue Jackets D Jan Hejda will be going on the open market at noon. (McKenzie)

Update, 11:02 a.m.:
Rangers not sending delegation to see Richards today. He knows Torts already. (Brooks)

Update, 10:59 a.m.:
Blue Jackets sign James Wisniewski for 6-years, $33 million. (McKenzie)

Update, 10:57 a.m.:
Penguins and Tyler Kennedy likely to strike two-year deal before noon. (Inside Pitts Sports)

Upda
te, 10:54 a.m.:
Vancouver and Chris Higgins working on two-year deal. (Ottawa Sun)

Update, 10:47 a.m.:
Wild re-sign backup goaltender Harding for 1-year, $750,000. (McKenzie)

Update, 10:44 a.m.:
Patrick Eaves re-signs with Detroit for 3-years ay $1.2 per. (Sporting News)

Update, 10:40 a.m.:
Great performances by McIlrath and Hagelin in final development camp scrimmage. (@stevezipay)

…see, no need for Richards. Rangers have enough young talent.

Update, 10:36 a.m.:
Kings will go hard after Richards. (Dreger)

…love it!!!!!

Update, 10:26 a.m.:
Sami Salo re-signs with Vancouver, one-year, $2 million. (Kypreos)

Update, 10:21 a.m.:
Apparently, Leafs GM Brian Burke is pursuing Richards to simply drive up the price so that it costs the Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres or Tampa Bay Lightning more money. (Ottawa Sun)

…now i really hope the Leafs get Richards and his contract becomes an anchor around that franchise’s neck.

Update, 10:16 a.m.:
Tampa/Stamkos talks continue. (Sporting News)

…sorry Rangers fans, an offer sheet for Stamkos would be a waste of everyone’s time.

Update, 10:13 a.m.:
The amount of teams interested in Jaromir Jagr has increased. (ESPN)

…please don’t be the Rangers, please don’t be the Rangers.

Update, 10:05 a.m.:
Rumor that Rangers will not be re-signing Fedotenko. (RDS)

…got to love free agency day.

Update, 10:02 a.m.:
Larry Brooks reports that Michael Sauer could get an offers sheet from another team. Brooks also says the Rangers are believed interested in winger Mike Rupp, forward Tanner Glass as well as defensemen Anton Babchuk and Jan Hejda. (NY Post)

Update, 10:00 a.m.:
Buffalo signed Christian Erhoff to a 10-year, $40 million contract yesterday. (TSN)

Hurricanes re-signed Jussi Jokinen to a 3-year, $9 million contract yesterday. (TSN)

Yesterday the Oilers placed Sheldon Souray on unconditional waivers. (TSN)

The Red Wings inked D Jonathan Ericsson to a three-year, $9.75 million deal. (TSN)

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