More Frenzy Signings, Less Notable

A couple of minor signings went the Bruins' way on Friday afternoon, as they picked up Benoit Pouliot off of the wire and then re-signed Trent Whitfield to a deal. Pouliot scored a 1-year deal worth $1.1 million, while Whitfield signed a 2-year deal, worth $1.15 million. Pouliot should be the only one that makes the team full-time in 2012, he scored 13 goals and 16 assists in 79 games with the Canadiens.

The Blackhawks got a little more annoying with the signing of Dan Carcillo, giving the super pest a 1-year deal, worth $775,000. Carcillo was likely on his way out of Philadelphia when he became too much of a liability on the ice.  Carcillo only had 6 points in 57 games for the Flyers in 2011, but would be a pretty good pick-up in your pool, if you count PIM.

Another one of the three bought out players on Friday afternoon signed on with a new team later on in the day, as Mike Commodore signed a 1-year, $1 million deal with the Red Wings. Commodore only played in 20 games for the Blue Jackets in 2011, before getting sent down to the minors for the remainder of the year.  Commodore should add some good size to the Red Wings' blueline.

The Islanders were pretty quiet during the free agent frenzy, but they did manage to snag Marty Reasoner off the market, signing him to a 2-year deal, worth $2.7 million. Reasoner should be able to provide leadership and a good two-way game on the ice for the Islanders and their youth. This looks to be a solid signing.

The Rangers added a little bit more grit to their line-up with the signing of unrestricted free agent forward Mike Rupp. Rupp was good for 9 goals and 8 assists in 81 games with the Penguins and he signed a 3-year deal, worth $4.5 million.  He'll be used in a bottom six role, keeping a lot of the opposition honest.

The Ottawa Senators have signed a new back-up goalie during the frenzy, adding Alex Auld to the mix for one year and $1 million. Auld will take the duties behind Craig Anderson in the 2012 season, giving prospect Robin Lehner another year in the AHL to mature into a better goalie. Auld had 13 points as a backup to a big minute goalie in Montreal, don't expect much different in Ottawa.

The Penguins have decided to take a quality gamble on the health of forward Steve Sullivan, signing him to a 1-year deal, worth $1.5 million. Sullivan was not re-signed by the Predators this Summer, but the Penguins, who have lots of quality offense for Sullivan to feed off, came calling and gave the 37-year old vet a call. This doesn't sound like a bad fit at all.

The Winnipeg Jets signed bottom six centre Tanner Glass to a new 1-year deal, worth $775,000.  Glass was a fairly consistent member of the Canucks' 4th line in 2011, scoring 3 goals and 7 assists in 73 games.  I would imagine that the role would be very similar in Winnipeg, as it was in Vancouver.