By JIMMY D / Free agency fireworks on Canada Day | Jimmy's archive

THAT WAS AN expensive fireworks display on Canada Day!

Of course, we are talking about NHL free agency and not the oohing and aahing celebration of Canada’s birthday.

Since you were likely enjoying a long holiday weekend, Jimmy will recap the activity for you.

Anaheim — Signed Mathieu Schneider as an expensive insurance policy against the pending retirement of Scott Niedermayer. He did not announce his plans Monday as expected, but clearly the Ducks figure he is done. Signed Todd Bertuzzi as insurance for pending retirement of Teemu Selanne.

Atlanta — After losing Keith Tkachuk back to the free agency pool and expecting the departure of Slava Kozlov, the Thrashers signed Todd White. They also signed centre Eric Perrin, which may have bigger implications than you suspect come October.

Boston — Manny Fernandez is locked up for a few years and should provide the no-nonsense netminding the struggling Bruins need. It also speaks volumes about management’s opinion of Hannu Toivonen and the readiness (or lack thereof) of fellow Finn prospect Tuukka Rask. Beware to keeper poolies who own them.

Buffalo — Took a beating on Sunday with Chris Drury and Daniel Briere both fleeing and Dainius Zubrus still entertaining offers. Drury is actually a bigger loss and the Sabres have their work cut out to remain among the East’s elite.

Calgary — Include the hiring of Mike Keenan as a free agent move that could boom or bust. Keenan’s stops the past decade have usually been the latter. Also signed Cory Sarich to nearly $20 million for five years. Yikes! Were set to re-up with Jarome Iginla on long-term deal.

Carolina — We’ll assume there is more to come after the signing of Jeff Hamilton.

Chicago — Followed up a solid draft with signing of Yanic Perreault, who will be great for the Hawks, but not for your pool (unless it includes a faceoffs percentage category).

Columbus — zzzzzzz

Colorado — Big splash with Ryan Smyth signing, but are there players here that suit his crash-the-corners-then-crash-the-net style? At least Captain Canada gets $31.25 million to wipe away his tears. San Jose blue-liner Scott Hannan also moved Sunday.

Dallas — Re-signed Sergei Zubov, who will be productive again despite his advancing age.

Detroit — Countered the loss of Schneider with a whopping payday for Devil Brian Rafalski, a Michigan native who was expected to re-sign in New Jersey. They want to re-sign Dom Hasek, but nothing on that front yet.

Edmonton — Peddled hard-rock blue-liner Jason Smith and disappointing Joffrey Lupul to the Flyers for Joni Pitkanen and speedy vet Geoff Sanderson. This one could bite them if Pitkanen stagnates and if they gave up too early on Lupul (who had been the centerpiece of the Pronger trade last year with Anaheim).

Florida — Let Alex Auld walk, signed Radek Dvorak and Richard Zednik. All three are bad moves. Re-signed Jozef Stumpel, which was good move because of his chemistry with Olli Jokinen. Tomas Vokoun, acquired from Nashville, will be a rock again in net in Miami.

Los Angeles — Lots of work to do, none completed on first two days. But on Day 3, they did not rest, bringing in Kyle Calder from Detroit, Tom Preissing from Ottawa, Michal Handzus from Chicago and Ladislav Nagy from Dallas.

Minnesota — Freed up cap room and the net for Nicklas Backstrom by sending Fernandez to Boston. They didn’t get much back in Petr Kalus and a draft pick.

Montreal — Who is gonna overpay for Sheldon Souray? Everyone knows he was minus 28 last year, right? He is a handsome devil, though.

Nashville — The gutting of the Predators continued with the loss of Paul Kariya, after the trade of Tomas Vokoun to Florida and Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell to Philly. Expect Peter Forsberg to walk as well, as they cut payroll to make themselves more attractive to a buyer.

New Jersey — Loss of Rafalski and Scott Gomez to the Rangers will test Lou Lamoriello’s prospect depth. They still have Marty Brodeur, which means they still have a chance every night. Reacted on Day 3 with Dainius Zubrus and Karel Rachunek signings.

New York Islanders — Lost Ryan Smyth, which stings bad, and lost Jason Blake to Toronto, which might sting worse. Lost d-man Tom Poti as well. They should have offered Smyth a 15-year deal. They did sign New Glasgow’s Jon Sim (who got a sweet $3-million deal), but he ain’t gonna replace that scoring.

New York Rangers — Return to spendthrift ways with big money to Chris Drury and Scott Gomez (each gets more than $7 million a year in long-term pacts). If they add some meat to the blue-line, they should contend in the East with all those forwards.

Ottawa — Fretting a rumoured offer sheet to Ray Emery and sitting tight until they know the situation. Their lineup is primarily set anyway.

Philadelphia — Aggressive before free agency with the Timonen-Hartnell trade-and-sign, aggressive at the draft, aggressive in landing Daniel Briere ($52.5 million) and aggressive in trading for Smith and Lupul from Edmonton. Clearly, Philly ran out of patience with Pitkanen. They either see something in slumping Lupul or are doing the Oilers a favour. They have enough money left to sign Forsberg if he decides his wonky foot can hack it.

Phoenix — Lots to do, nothing done so far. Gretzky should move this team to Hamilton. Or back to Winnipeg where people give a hoot.

Pittsburgh — Re-signed vets Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts weeks ago to retain experience and puff up the team’s average age. Signed vet Darryl Sydor for two seasons, which is important for blue-line stability, but not for your fantasy plans. They also lock up stud Ryan Whitney for six years as they embark on a long run of youth-driven prosperity.

San Jose — Extended Joe Thornton for three years, which is great move. Sharks also peddled Vesa Toskala to Leafs on draft day, handing the goalie duties exclusively to injury-prone Evgeni Nabokov. A September sleeper pick should be the Sharks’ backup.

St. Louis — Re-signed Tkachuk after reacquiring him, then swiped Paul Kariya from Nashville on Sunday. Lots of good things happening here in the Gateway City.

Tampa Bay — Critical goalie need and no movement so far.

Toronto — Toskala trade was risky with Raycroft in the system and peddling draft picks was a dumb-dumb move. Getting Blake from the Islanders was a good stroke, but can he continue his gaudy stats of last season? Got him affordably at $4 million a pop.

Vancouver — zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Washington — Overpaid for Poti, but he had a great season. Viktor Kozlov came cheap and could mesh nicely with Ovechkin and Co.

Stay busy, stay lucky.

Jimmy D