You really have to respect the Islanders. They were shut out of the top-tier free agents big time, but they didn't fold. They're still working hard. They just landed Bill Guerin and Mike Comrie . Depending on which Guerin shows up (Dallas/San Jose William or Boston/St. Louis/NJ Billy) the Isles could be getting the player of coach Ted Nolan's gritty dreams. Of course, $9 million over two years is a little steep for a player who could just as easily disappear on the ice. Interestingly, Comrie and Guerin seem to working as a package, trying make sure they both end up on a competitive team. I don't think Comrie has ever lived up to his playmaking potential, so like Guerin, he's a risk. But a risk worth taking. Especially when you're dealing with a coach like Ted Nolan, who really can elevate his players. And especially when the player is on a one-year contract, looking to show the NHL he's a top-line NHL center.
The Isles are also said to be trying to pry defenseman Ed Jovanovski and his no-trade clause of Phoenix.
Also, from the no-trades-are-growing file, Slava Kozlov took less money from his hometown Atlanta Thrashers once they threw in a no-trade. Dallas seemed really hot for him, so that's another free agent they'e missed out on.
Also, speaking of taking less money, Michael Nylander took less money from the Caps because his wife didn't want to go to Edmonton. In a scene right out of JERRY MAGUIRE, Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe found himself trying to sign someone who had just signed someplace else. The whole thing seems like it was more horrible communication than malice, but that doesn't really help Edmonton.
Edmonton lost Nylander at hello.

OK. So those Michael Nylander to Vancouver rumors were more than rumors. The Oilers seem pretty mad, too. I love the thought of Nylander getting like 10 or 15 contracts and then just playing in a different city every night. Or just taking the money and going back to Sweden.
I've been really interested in free agency in the post-cap era, since money isn't as big a deal, since teams can only offer so much money. Over on Long Island, Greg Logan and Mark Herrmann are blaming the shoddy conditions at Nassau Coliseum, saying no one really wants to play there. To be honest, I'm not sure if it's the Coliseum so much as the air of despair that surrounds the Islanders. Even with Ted Nolan coaching, I think there's always this feeling, no doubt a holdover from the Mike Milbury era, that the team is about to do something crazy. Maybe it's the fact that the default Islander contract spans two decades. But that dark cloud is enough for free agents to take less money not to play on the Island. It's an interesting effect. I think we're seeing it in New Jersey, too. They just lost Brad Lukowich to Tampa Bay.
It's no longer only about they money. It's also about the environment and the team and the management.
Although, to be fair, Dallas might disagree that money plays no role (login info.).
Happy Fourth of July to everyone in the states. Watch those fingers, kids.

I'm really surprised about all of the no-trades being given out. Chris Drury and Scott Gomez supposedly got one from the Rangers. And Ryan Smyth got one from the Avs. Of course, Todd Marchant had one in Columbus and that didn't really mean anything. It's still interesting, though.
Michael Nylander's not going to Vancouver: he's back with the Caps. I have to say, I was pretty shocked about the Vancouver rumor. Nylander's got a big, young family in Connecticut and part of the feeling that he wouldn't leave the Rangers revolved around his not wanting to uproot his family. DC makes a lot more sense, though. I wonder if he lost money on his game of chicken with the Rangers. AP says Nylander will get a four years/$19.5 million. The New York Post said that the Rangers bailed when the bidding hit four years/over $20 million. So I'm not sure what that all means.
Speaking of Smyth, Isles GM Garth Snow is already starting to get flack for giving up so much to rent Smyth for a few games. Smyth is a funny guy. Didn't he get traded to the Islanders because of a $100,000 negotiating gap with Edmonton? But he left a cool million on the table to play for Colorado. Of course, some people might pay more not to play on the Island.
Todd Bertuzzi got a two-year deal from the Ducks. I don't have details on the contract but I'm a bit shocked he's not year-to-year given we still don't really know how he'll play over a full season. Still, Bertuzzi has tremendous upside and if anyone can get him going, it's ex-Canucks GM/current Ducks GM Brian Burke.
Also, Ranger Pundit Mike has a great post laying out just how pointless the lockout was.

Wow. Crazy night.
The Rangers got both Scott Gomez and Chris Drury, somehow.
Gomez is pretty interesting since his dangling style is a little bit like Michael Nylander's. Interestingly, TSN sees Drury on the top line. Obviously, a big concern in Ranger land is that Gomez represents another east-west player who might not be so interested in getting his nose dirty. Luckily for the Rangers, Drury doesn't have that problem, so maybe it's a wash.
As I write this, Nylander hasn't signed anywhere. There might be some concerns about his ability to produce without Jaromir Jagr on the wing.
Somehow, the Rangers also might be in the hunt for Sheldon Souray. I think the Rangers have like an extra large cap or something.
Gomez has a seven-year deal and Drury has five. That sounds like a lot until you realize Daniel Briere got eight years from the Flyers (login info.). Briere is a great player, but I'm not sure if he's a franchise-changer. It's not like there's a ton of Philadelphia talent for him to play with. I guess you have to start somewhere, though.
Jason Blake showed us how one outstanding season is all it takes to win the Toronto lottery.
Do any Caps fans want to know the book on Viktor Kozlov: he's an insanely talented player who hates, hates, hates to shoot the puck. Enjoy that for the next two years. The Caps might be looking at Alexei Yashin, too. If the price is right, it makes sense to pair the two up. Kozlov was most effective as an Islander when Yashin was injured. If I'm Washington, I sign Yashin and injure him the first week of the season.
Brian Rafalski is a Red Wing, apparently low-balled by GM Lou Lamoriello. Rafalski really wanted to stay a Devil, so it's pretty insane it couldn't get done.
Did Ottawa really fire GM John Muckler because he couldn't land Gary Roberts? Does Gary Roberts have some sort of magical power to make top lines perform?
More later from the XM Studios. I mean, more later.