Graphical Guide to NHL Free Agency

That’s pretty much all you need to know right there. The freer you are, the more expensive you become. Just ask Ryan Suter or Zach Parise.

And just how expensive is Zach Parise now? Well, it’s gotten to the point where it’s no longer about the money:

 

As in all walks of life, money is only a concern to those that don’t have any. So don’t be crass and question’s Zach’s statement that he’ll be making his decision on factors other than money. He’s being quite sincere.

As a side note, there is a strong possibility that Parise and Suter will wind up on the same team. We’ve uncovered some video evidence of the two of them at luncheon.

Food also played a role in another free agent signing over the weekend. Yes, lost in the Free Agent frenzy* mild hubbub, were the huge implications from Olli Jokinen signing in Winnipeg:

*Sports networks and professional commentators keep using this word. I don’t think it means what they think it means.

I’m sure you all remember that while in the midst of a slump early this year, Jokinen received a call from Wayne Gretzky telling him to just go out and eat a cheeseburger. Well, Olli did one better and went for the Big Mac and lo and behold, scored a hat trick! Well, what you probably didn’t know, is that Winnipeg is one of McDonald’s test markets for new product offerings. They test new McWhatevers in Winnipeg before rolling them out across the rest of its North American restaurants.

So if Jokinen scored a hat trick after a plain old Big Mac, just wait and see what he does after getting his hands on the new McBacon Supremo Grande. I predict a monster year for Jokinen in the ‘peg. You heard it here first. Draft him as early as you can in your hockey pools this year. You will not be disappointed.

Finally, since this is the Canucks Army blog, I would be remiss if I did not mention YOOUUUUR Van-couver CANUCKS! There wasn’t much activity on the part of the Canucks’ front office, at least not announceable activity. And enough has been written about what activity there was.

But that’s not why you’re here. You’re looking for the insight that you won’t find in any of @ThomasDrance‘s 285 posts from the weekend. So here’s my take on Mike Gillis’ performance over the weekend, based solely on Twitter:

 BOOM!