Paul Bissonnette could not sit idly while NHL free agents were raking in some serious cash.
General managers spent $544,829,124 total dollars in the first two hours of the signing period, leaving the former NHL forward to question his place in the hockey world.
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First, he made a personal decision.
Just fired my agent.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
Next, he began reaching out to Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan.
I still have the same number and email @brendanshanahan. Haven't changed it from 12 years. Unless you didn't back up with iCloud.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
Then, things got very personal.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
Bissonnette also thought he had an incoming offer from the Pittsburgh Penguins, but turns out it wasn't actually Jim Rutherford on the phone.
Called em back. Wasn't Jim. Telemarketer. Had a great conversation about what I could bring to the table. Always keep your options open.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
He did, however, make contact with Evgeni Malkin.
Thought Pittsburgh was out but talks have resurfaced. pic.twitter.com/VoDDA17IB4
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) July 1, 2016
Bissonnette last appeared in an NHL regular-season game with the Arizona Coyotes in 2013-14. Time will tell if he does indeed fit into Toronto's "Shanaplan" or if he merely gets blocked on Twitter.
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The Colorado Avalanche shored up their blue line on the first day of free agency Friday, signing defenseman Patrick Wiercioch to a one-year contract, the club announced. The deal is worth $800,000, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Wiercioch fell victim to a crowded Ottawa Senators back end, and wasn't extended a qualifying offer heading into free agency.
The 25-year-old only notched five points in 52 games with the Senators last season, but it could prove to be a low-risk, high-reward deal for the Avalanche, as he can slot in nearly anywhere.
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The Tampa Bay Lightning have locked up another of their pending free agents, signing goaltender Andre Vasilevskiy to a three-year contract worth $10.5 million, the team announced.
More to come.
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The Colorado Avalanche have signed free-agent forward Joe Colborne to a two-year, $5-million contract, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.
A former first-round pick, 16th overall in 2008, Colborne exploded in a big way last season, scoring 19 goals and adding 25 assists in 73 games for the Calgary Flames. He hit the market after he wasn't tendered a qualifying offer.
A center, Colborne will turn 27 in January. His previous career highs in goals and points were 10 and 28.
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The Washington Capitals have added even more depth to their forward crop, signing Brett Connolly to a one-year contract worth $850,000, according to TSN's Gord Miller.
The former first-round draft pick will join the Capitals after a disappointing first full season with the Boston Bruins.
Connolly contributed just nine goals and 25 points in a career-high 71 games.
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The Montreal Canadiens have come to terms with Zach Redmond, signing the defenseman to a two-year contract worth $1.225 million, the club announced.
The 27-year-old spent last season split between the Colorado Avalanche and their AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. He collected six points in 37 games with Colorado.
Redmond will likely slot in as a depth defenseman with the Canadiens and could prove to be valuable as a right-handed shot.
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The Los Angeles Kings have signed forward Michael Latta to a one-year contract, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Latta's AAV is $600K. One-way contract, via team source.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) July 1, 2016
Latta is coming off his third season with the Washington Capitals, joining the club back in 2013 from the Nashville Predators - along with Martin Erat - in exchange for Filip Forsberg.
The 25-year-old played in just 43 games this past season where he had three goals and four assists.
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Cross off another team from Lee Stempniak's list.
The Carolina Hurricanes added the forward on a two-year, $5-million contract Friday, the club announced.
The Canes are Stempniak's 10th NHL team. He had a strong 2015-16 season, scoring 19 goals and adding 32 assists for the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins.
Stempniak will be 34 in February, and provides leadership for a young Carolina team.
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The New York Rangers have signed veteran forwards Michael Grabner and Nathan Gerbe, as well as defenseman Adam Clendening.
Grabner's deal is reportedly worth $3.2 million over two years, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, while Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting a one-year, $600,000 contract for Gerbe.
Grabner, 28, has scored 104 goals in 397 career games, including a single-season high of 34 back in 2010-11. He spent this past season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, with whom he recorded nine goals and nine assists.
Gerbe spent the past two seasons in Carolina, but the majority of his career with Buffalo. The 28-year-old has recorded 58 goals and 80 assists in his 394-game career.
Clendening brings 50 games of experience to the table, with two goals and nine assists to his credit.
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