Signings and Non-Signings

Yesterday was the deadline for teams to offer Restricted Free Agents a qualifying offer to keep their rights as Restricted Free Agents, otherwise they'll become Unrestricted on July 1. There was very little surprise to the process... except for one, possibly.

Winger Michel Ouellet was not offered a qualifying offer by the Penguins on Monday, which has made him an Unrestricted Free Agent on Monday. Ouellet, who scored 19 goals and 48 points last season, had only turned 25 in March and could provide a growing winger to a team in need of such a player at a reasonable rate. Ouellet only made $500,000 last season, but his raise could be somewhat significant, but he'll be a guy to keep your eye on. With 48 points last season, he finished 156th in pool scoring... a fifth to seventh round pick.

Another reason for the Predators to let Vokoun go was that they had talent coming up the ranks and they had signed their top goaltending prospect, Pekka Rinne, to a contract on Monday. Rinne will back-up Chris Mason and for much cheaper than Vokoun (if Vokoun was to lose the number one job in Nashville). Rinne signed a 2-year deal, worth just over $1 million.

Speaking of back-up goaltenders (and Tomas Vokoun), Vokoun's new back-up Craig Anderson was retained by the Florida Panthers on Monday. He also signed a 2-year deal as last year's back-up in Florida, Alex Auld, was not offered a qualifying offer and will become an Unrestricted Free Agent.

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