A Skeptic's Free Agent Notes

Thoughts on a few of the fat deals signed July 1, opening day of the 2008 NHL free agent season.

D Brian Campbell to Chicago:
8 years/$7.1 million per year

A true star? Or just the best defenseman on the lot this summer? For a decent payoff, the 'Hawks need big minutes, big points, and great highlights right away, plus inspiring playoff leadership within two seasons. Campbell will be 37 when this deal expires, probably a one-dimensional power play specialist. I'm not sure Buffalo will regret trading him.

D Jeff Finger to Toronto: 4 years/$3.5 Million per year

Finger must have thought he died and went to heaven when he saw those numbers. This is a 28-year-old with 94 career NHL games, now paid almost as much as Brad Stuart in Detroit and Mike Commodore in Columbus. The Jackets overpaid for Commodore, but at least they know what they're getting. Leaf fans can only hope they didn't give Finger a no-trade clause.

F Niklas Hagman to Toronto: 4 years/$3 million per year

Hagman's no savior, but you can see why he picked the Leafs. A third-line foot soldier in most towns, he'll likely play second-line in Toronto. At least when he hits a lengthy scoring slump, he'll do so at a reasonable price.

G Cristobal Huet to Chicago: 4 years/$5.6 million per year
G Jose Theodore to Washington: 2 years/$4.5 million per year

Each man takes over as the top goalie on a young, exciting team looking to break through sooner rather than later. Given their checkered pasts, it's hard to believe either of them is up to the job. Nikolai Khabibulin has just one year left with the Blackhawks, so Huet suddenly becomes crucial to their rebuilding effort. Scary prospect.

D Wade Redden to NY Ranger: 6 years/$6.5 million per year

This is how you make the Campbell deal look pretty good. Redden gets the same money he made in Ottawa, and it's been a couple of years since he's earned it. A career revival is very possible. But six years? This has salary-cap dead weight written all over it.

D Mark Streit to NY Islanders: 5 years/$4.1 million per year

This is what free agency is all about: cashing in on a great, never-to-be-repeated career year. Streit is a 30-year-old who has played three NHL seasons, coming off a 62-point year with the highest-scoring team in hockey. It won't happen again. But this summer, three or four million is the going rate for a defenseman with two arms, two legs and a handful of gaudy numbers.

C Brian Rolston to New Jersey: 4 years/$5 million per year

Scores goals, plays defense. Perfect fit in Jersey. But he'd better age well. The "35-plus" rule means any free agent signed at the age of 35 or over counts against the salary cap for the full life of his contract, even if he retires or gets sent to the minors.

F Cory Stillman to Florida: 3 years/$3.5 million per year

Stillman's agent says Florida was the only team on his radar, so maybe he's in the market for a nice retirement condo. Justifiably praised as a consistent scorer, Stillman is 34 years old, prone to nagging injuries, and ready to begin an irreversible slide. Expect okay numbers and no effect whatsoever on the team's fortunes.

Salaries listed are from various sources, and are averaged over the life of the contract.

One caveat: It's hard to see the salary cap continuing to rise every year, but some predict it will. If so, these contracts will look a little better than they do today.

ESPN.com has a list of free agent signings, with comments by Scott Burnside.

James Mirtle has a comprehensive list of who's left.

Photo: Brian Campbell has 56 million reasons to celebrate. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images))