Free Agency, day one: Florida Panthers lock up Booth

by Donny Rivette on Jul 1, 2009 10:34 PM EDT

A most strange day when compared to previous free agency orgies: Not one team overspent, per season. A few years late, but the lockout finally affected managerial behavior in the NHL. The union's gotta be thrilled.

As expected, the Rangers busted it up by signing Marian Gaborik for a paltry five years ($7.5M per). The Canucks held on to their dynamic Sedin duo, and Montreal made huge waves by ignoring the cap and inking everyone available (short of Todd Bertuzzi).

The funky part is the money. Personally, I've never seen this type of mass-induced restraint by the league. There's always someone out there who's willing to blow up the cap system in order to get That One Guy. Jay Freaking Bouwmeester got less than $7M? Same for the Sedins? Two years ago they may have walked away after 20 minutes with far more than what was ultimately established today, but wow..."market value" is not what it was. Thank goodness. Didn't we all lose a season for that?

Back to the Panthers and their activities on this beautiful Wednesday (and Randy Sexton remains a FOTB):

WHAT WE GAINED

David Booth, F. Six years, $25M (or so). If this didn't happen, the Eastern Financial District would be an ash-heap by now. He's not only the top goal-scorer, but the new face of the franchise. As he rightfully should be. It's Booth!

Radek Dvorak, F. Two years, $2.4M. Two thirds of the top penalty-killing unit are now salvaged. Need another Ville.

Scott Clemmensen, G. 25-13-0-1. Enough for me. Been pulling for this guy - Brodeur's carryall - since November. With three years, he'll be the bridge between Vokoun and Markstrom.

Ville Koistinen, D. Two of the 27 year-old's three goals last season were game-winners. We like percentages here at The Box. Does he replace Skrastins, Boynton, Cullimore, or Leopold? Place your bets! Place your bets!

WHAT WE'VE LOST (SO FAR)

Craig Anderson, G. Off to ~~the train wreck in~~ Colorado. I speak for all Panther fans: We will miss you, Andy.

Jordan Leopold, D. Has not yet re-signed with Florida. Punk. "Bouwmeester" ring a bell? Ahh. Not his doing; he's looking for a new love, baby. A new love. Haven't really "lost" him, but so what. We like the third-rounder.

Much more fluff and un-asked-for opinion coming tomorrow. Gonna recharge and be back hard-core with analysis Thursday afternoon.

Huge thanks to all who joined us at The Box during today's free agent ridiculousness. We did good things today.

Poll

Like the moves?

Yes

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Coulda, shoulda, woulda (suggestions in the comments)

19 votes

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Comments

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH!!!

Extremely happy about his signing. I knew it was going to happen, but just happy that it is official.

I am sorry to see Andy go, but very happy they snatched up Clemmy. Granted, his former team had a more defensive minded team & didn’t have to face as many shots as T-Vo & Andy. But I am hoping the Panthers work on that this off season. Welcome Clemmy! (not bad to look at either hehehehe :-P)

I am very glad Dvo is staying. He may not be a huge scorer, but he is great on the penalty kill & I love his energy & gumption.

I don’t know much about this new Ville, but I guess I have some reading to do.

Sure it would be nice to have a big name play on our team, but if we don’t, I will be happy as long as the guys we have work well to become a well oiled, synchronized running machine. We saw glimpses of it this past season & am hopeful DeBoer will get the kinks work out, since he has a season with this team under his belt.

by CLG_74 on Jul 1, 2009 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Clemmy has a unique style that’s for sure. Aside from his,uh, other attributes : )

by sydarm on Jul 1, 2009 11:10 PM EDT reply actions

Thrilled on all fronts. Dare we say: they’ve got a plan.

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by Donny Rivette on Jul 1, 2009 11:13 PM EDT reply actions

I triple dog dare ya! :-D

by CLG_74 on Jul 1, 2009 11:18 PM EDT reply actions

Saweet!

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by Donny Rivette on Jul 1, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

definitely like adding Clems and keeping Booth for 6, but how about some more OFFFFEENSE

by HockeyAndLoathing on Jul 2, 2009 12:25 AM EDT reply actions

great job today, whale. had fun sitting on my couch chatting with all of you today. and, i may be young and naive but im starting to buy in to this “growth-from-within” idea. we really have a slight idea of what frolik can become and maybe booth could actually approach 40g? if anything, i’ve decided that its enough bashing everything this team does and starting to see their side of things. whats the point of being a fan if you just knock every move they make?

now just resign Skrastins…he’s the top priority for me, an invaluable member of last years D. and who knows, free agency doesn’t end really at least until the end of the month, things are just getting started. yeah, the tanguay rumor coming true would have been nice, but tomorrow’s another day.

by alterego6487 on Jul 2, 2009 1:29 AM EDT reply actions

Booth is hard working & determined. He said this past year he wanted 30 goals & he did. I have no doubt he will do all he can for the bar he just raised for himself.

I, too, like Skratskins. I feel he did earn a chance to come back to the team & show that he can still defend well.

by CLG_74 on Jul 2, 2009 7:30 AM EDT up reply actions

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