Faceoff Factor

The Last of July's NHL Transactions

Michael Farkas | National Hockey League

Aug 1, 03:22 AM | Hype this story!

As July concludes, with it, go some bigger signings and, already, the conclusion of the arbitration period. A period that usually brings out some anxiousness as we patiently wait the 48 hours for a decision to be rendered — but they’re already done. I’ll take a look at the last week around the league and what might be in store during the month of August.

In one of the few arbitration cases actually held, Capitals defenseman Shaone Morrisonn was awarded a one-year, $1,975,000 contract. Of course, the Capitals accepted the terms. The defensive defenseman scored ten points in 76 games last season for the Capitals and will still be a restricted free agent after this season.

In the only other arbitration case held, Predators rearguard Ville Koistinen was awarded a one-year, $700,000 contract. Koistinen, 26, played his first 48 NHL games last season where he netted 17 points. The Predators have accepted the decision.

After rejecting a multi-year contract, Jay Bouwmeester has agreed to a one-year pact with the Florida Panthers for $4.8 million. The top-flight d-man grabbed a career-high 15 goals to go along with 37 points in his third straight 82-game season. Bouwmeester, who led all NHL skaters in average time on ice, will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the contract. This deal seems to somewhat confirm rumblings that J-Bo is not happy with the direction of the club and it seems like a feasible scenario that he will be traded at some point before the trade deadline.

In a relatively unexpected move, Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard signed a long-term contract with Minnesota. Bouchard and the Wild came to terms on a five-year, $20.4 million contract (cap hit: $4.08 mil/yr). The former eighth overall selection set career highs in assists (50) and points (63).

The Minnesota Wild also waived and bought out the contract of forward Mark Parrish. Parrish, 31, set career-lows in goals (16) and points (30) in 66 games. Parrish has struggled mightily in Minnesota and a change will probably do both parties good. His buyout will count against Minnesota’s Upper Limit in this fashion (each year starting with 2008-09 separated by semicolons until 2013-14): $727,778; $727,778; $927,778; $927,778; $927,778; $927,778. Reportedly, Dallas, Nashville and Ottawa have shown interest in Parrish’s services.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed another forward, but this one was expected. They inked their first overall selection from 2008, Steven Stamkos, to a three-year entry-level deal. The deal will see Stamkos get the maximum allowable salary for 2008 draftees ($875,000 per year) and the maximum amount of bonuses ($8.55 million over three years). On the whole, the contract could be worth as much as $11.175 million over three seasons (cap hit [until bonuses are mathematically unachievable]: $3.725 mil/yr).

Drayson Bowman, the 72nd pick of the 2007 NHL Draft, has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. The contract will see Bowman earn $550,000 in year one, $600,000 in year two and $650,000 in year three of the deal that included a $262,500 signing bonus (cap hit: $687,500). The Grand Rapids, Michigan native burst onto the Major Junior scene last year with Spokane (WHL) scoring a team-leading 42 goals and 82 points in 66 games.

Netminder Pascal LeClaire and the Columbus Blue Jackets have come to terms on a new three-year contract. The deal totals $11.4 million (cap hit: $3.8 mil/yr) and is broken down to $3 million in the first year, $3.6 in the second and $4.8 million in the final year. LeClaire put together a fine season last year, going 24-17-6 with a 2.25 GAA, .919 save pct. and nine shutouts.

The Ottawa Senators have re-signed talented offensive forward Antoine Vermette to a two-year deal worth $5.525 million (cap hit: $2,762,500). Vermette, another player headed for arbitration, registered career highs in goals, assists and points last year for Ottawa (24+29=53). The Quebec-native will become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the contract.

The Detroit Red Wings inked center Valtteri Filppula to a long-term contract before he reached arbitration. The 24-year-old Finn notched 19 goals and 36 points in his second full NHL season which earned him a five-year, $15 million contract (cap hit: $3 mil/yr).

Jaroslav Modry has decided to call it quits in the NHL. Most recently of the Philadelphia Flyers, Modry, has decided to sign with HC Liberec of the Czech Republic’s top league. Modry, a 9th round selection of New Jersey in 1990, is the veteran of 725 NHL games with Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta and New Jersey. He also appeared in 300 AHL/IHL games during his stay in North America.