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ByJeff Briscoe,Yahoo! Contributor Network Jul 20, 3:30 pm EDT
Coming off a dramatic Stanley Cup Finals, in which a legendary team broke a lengthy title-less streak, the state of the NHL appears strong. Game 7 earned thehighest ratingsfor a hockey game in 38 years. Furthermore, attendance remained solid, with12 teams reporting 100% capacityfor the entire season.
The New York Rangers signed center Brad Richards to lucrative free agent contract
With this success, free agency has produced a flurry of spending. As the only major winter sport enjoying labor peace, owners were eager to spend to produce a winning team come October. The signing period opened on July 1 andmost top nameswere claimed within days. Here's a look at five of the most intriguing signings.
Tomas Vokoun, G,Washington, 1 year, $1.5 million: Statistics reveal the 35 year old is one of the best goalies in the game. But he has languished for the past four years on a badPanthersteam. Though Florida attempted to retain him, Vokoun wanted the chance to win and took a discounted deal. The Caps got a steal. Look for Vokoun to supplant fellow CzechMichal Neuvirthas Washington's top net-minder.
Michael Ryder, RW,Dallas, 2 years, $7 million: Losing Richards, the Stars added some much cheaper firepower in stealing the forward from the Stanley Cup championBruins. Ryder is a consistent goal scorer, who has tallied 30 goals twice in his seven year career. He also stays healthy and appears to be entering his prime.
Erik Cole, LW,Montreal, 4 years $18 million: Cole spent most of his nine year career withCarolina, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2006. The veteran is a reliable scorer and coming off a 26 goal campaign. Cole is also a physical presence, delivering 225 hits last year. The left wing hails from nearby upstate New York and will be reunited with Team USA matesBrian GiontaandScott Gomez. All signs point towards a solid pickup for Montreal.
Brad Richards, C,NY Rangers, 9 years, $60 million: Not surprisingly, the Rangers landed the top prize on the market and spent the most to get him. Richie is a great leader, who is also a former Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe Playoff MVP. It remains to be seen how he will do with the pressure of this contract in the Big Apple.
Sean Bergenheim, LW,Florida, 4 years, $11 million: The 27 year-old former first round pick is loaded with potential. He displayed it in the 2011 playoffs, scoring 9 goals duringTampa Bay'ssemi-final run. However, Bergenheim was inconsistent during his stint with the Lightning and fizzled out in five seasons with theIslanders. The four year deal is high risk, high reward for the rival Panthers, who completely retooled their roster.
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Jeff Briscoe is a freelance writer from Florida who covers sports for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and the ECHL's Florida Everblades for theMiami Examiner.
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