Now, busy day, obviously. Komisarek, Niedermayer, Ohlund, Gaborik and the Sedins are gone. Who’s still left? I didn’t see Beauchemin taken yet, or Scudderi, but I’m out of the loop. I just set foot in the door, after unpacking. Not that I thought he’d be coming here, but all day long … I mused that if Kari Lehtonen were to be traded today, it might impress Kovalchuk to land Nicholai Khabibulin. But I now see The Bulin Wall did a multi-year deal with Edmonton. Again, Khabibulin decisions always surprise me, though he has every right to pursue his best FINANCIAL options. Truthfully, I must admit that I haven’t seen the salary figures. But one can, legitimately, assume the Oilers overpaid, due to their market situation, previous RFA poaching efforts, and the knowledge that Khabibulin follows the money trail, whereever it leads. With that in mind, I thought even Atlanta could get in on that bidding. Khabibulin doesn’t seem to care where he plays, so long as the money in good.

Regarding Hossa’s 12-year deal, I’m … not surprised by Chicago being his next team, after Detroit. I’m sure he wanted Detroit. But it couldn’t be done. This morning, in USAToday, I read that Ken Holland said, “I’m not optimistic.” At that moment, I thought Chicago might be next. If I had to pick a team that I thought was headed to the CF or SCF, Chicago makes my list. I am surprised by a 12-year commitment by Hossa to play in Chicago. Yes, I must volunteer that. But by my calculations, Hossa’s an $8 million guy. So, 8-year @ $8 million per year would mean $64 million. The figure I saw, if accurate, is $62 million and change for 12 years. That’s like giving Chicago 4 FREE years. Granted, those four FREE YEARS are age 38-42, where his value would presummably diminish. And, despite leaving money on the table, in my view, his agent potentially made him easier to trade down the road. Let’s say 4 years later, Chicago hasn’t won the Cup and is now on the decline. Hossa is 34, and a cap hit of just over $5 million. And a good chunk of that presummably FRONT LOADED contract has already been paid by Chicago. That’s the time when a cash strapped market, like Atlanta, but NOT ATLANTA … can swoop in and snare a quality player, if Chicago wants to hold a firesale, or just marginally shake things up.

PensFan, if Edmonton really offered $81 million over 9 years, last season, Hossa left a lot of money on the table in rejecting their offer. I had heard the Pens deal was 6 years/$48 million. But you’d know far better than I. I defer to you on Penguins-later matters.

By the way, ESPN is now reporting the trade as well. The other guy is Tim Stapleton. He is 27 and listed as a center but has like 3 career NHL games under his belt

Here is the link for the trade…I like Kubina, and we really didn’t give up much for him. But he ain’t cheap, that’s for sure. And he is only signed through next year