Dan’s Daily: Goalie Market Update, Taylor Hall Leans to Colorado?

There may never be another NHL free agent frenzy quite like what we watched on Friday. At the stroke of noon, the chaos began, but instead of the whales defining the market and soaking up salary cap resources, bargain bin free agents who accepted one-year deals dominated activity. The goalie carousel which included now-former Penguins netminder Matt Murray signing a contract, ending late Friday evening with Corey Crawford getting a new home.

Taylor Hall may be leaning towards Colorado and Stefan Noesen of the San Jose Sharks heaped praise on Penguins assistant Mike Vellucci.

We’ll start with Matt Murray, who got P-A-I-D in Ottawa. Murray got more than full value with a $25 million contract from Ottawa (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

I did one of my usual guest spots on 93-7 the Fan with Mr. Paul Zeise, on Friday night. Paul just lets me talk at this point. You can here my breakdown of the Penguins signings and what might comes next (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Jim Rutherford’s words on Friday appeared straightforward; the Penguins are done for a while. But what does that really mean and why? As usual, we explain (PHN+)

This could be the surprise of the NHL free agent season. So, if you were the most sought after winger on the market, and the market was depressed, would you take a short-term deal with an exiting team instead of cashing in on a big contract for a few dollars less than you wanted? Taylor Hall may choose the former, AND choose the Colorado Avalanche (Colorado Hockey Now)

*Here’s a story you may really like. Our Sheng Peng in San Jose has the story which veered towards Penguins assistant coach Mike Vellucci. Noesen credited Vellucci with rescuing his career last year (San Jose Hockey Now)

To the goalies:

Minnesota Wild was the first to sign a starting goalie. MN signed Cam Talbot. Then, Vancouver gave $4.25 million per season for two seasons to Braden Holtby. NHL playoffs hero Anton Khudobin re-signed in Dallas for 3×3.33. Jakob Markstrom earned a 6×6 from Calgary. Then on Friday night, Corey Crawford signed a healthy two-year contract in New Jersey with a $3.9 AAV.

Also, rumored Penguins wishlist player Chris Tanev signed with Calgary late Friday. Calgary gave Taven a four-year, $18.5 million deal.

Torey Krug signed a 7×6.5 with St. Louis Blues, which essentially ended Alex Pietrangelo’s chance to come back to St. Louis (Boston Hockey Now)

Check out ALL of the free-agent signings here (TSN)

Also–Jack Johnson signed a one-year, $1.15 million deal with the New York Rangers and Justin Schultz signed a 2×4 deal with the Washington Capitals and will be their second-pairing RHD.

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a pretty good day, but they’re also OVER the salary cap (Sportsnet)