NHL Free Agency - Semi-live blog - Day 3 - 07-03-12
We'll run another live blog today for day 3 of free agency. If the Penguins have any sort of media availability this afternoon, we will not be able to continue posting updates however.
6:21: p.m. The Rangers have signed former Coyotes forward Taylor Pyatt to a two-year contract worth $3.1 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $1.55 million. Pyatt, 31, appeared in 73 games last season and scored 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists).
-EN Says: This is a third- or fourth-line type of player for the Rangers. He helps replace some of the toughness and grit they lost with Brandon Prust's departure. Pyatt's a big guy too at 6-foot-4, 228 pounds and the Rangers like size.
1:46 p.m. This isn't free agent news... or news of any type. But here's a time-lapse video of the Civic Arena's demolition:
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11:27 a.m. The Devils have re-signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Bryce Salvador to a three-year contracth worth $9.5 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $3,166,667 million. Salvador, 36, appeared in 82 game last season and recorded nine assists. In 24 postseason games, he caught fire by scoring 14 points (four goals, 14 assists).
-EN Says: What a great story Salvador is. After missing all of 2010-11 due to a concussion, he rebounded this past season to play in all 82 games and had a wonderful playoff run while helping the Devils reach the Stanley Cup final. He fits what the Devils like to do defensively in that he's a safe, reliable player who makes the right play all the time. He doesn't take too many chances and is positionally sound. Salvador's age and injury history are a concern, but at $3.16 million, he's a safe affordable option.
11:15 a.m.: The Avalanche have re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Erik Johnston to a four-year contract extension worth $15 million. He will have a salary cap hit of $3.75 million. In 73 games last season, Johnson, 24, scored 26 points (four goals, 22 assists).
-EN Says: It's almost difficult to believe Johnson was selected No. 1 overall by the Blues in the 2007 draft ahead of the likes of Jordan Staal, Jonathan Toews, Nicklas Backstrom and others. Johnson has the skill to be a legit No. 1 defenseman you can rely on in all situations. But inconsistency and injuries have plagued him throughout his career. He's still young. At 24, he can still hit his ceiling. But he's been in the NHL for five seasons. Patience with him is starting to wear thin.
(Photos: Johnson-Nick Laham/Getty Images; Salvador-Nick Laham/Getty Images; Pyatt-Jeff Gross/Getty Images)