According to TSN, the Avs signed both guys:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242041&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl
Liles, 4 years, $16M. Foote, 2 years, $6M.
You know, I don't like Liles' defense, but the Avs absolutely *had* to
have a puck mover signed this offseason, and while I would have liked
a couple of guys more than Liles, this really isn't a horrid signing.
They've got a relatively young puck mover. Unfortunately, it's the
only one they have, aside from Leopold - who never plays. I really
thought Liles would demand more on the FA market than $4M per.
I also don't mind the Foote signing, as it's only for 2 years, and $3M
per isn't a cap killer. He's clearly not the player he once was, but
at least they didn't go out and spend a fortune on him. You knew that
FG was going to resign him to account for the #1 he foolishly traded
for him, so that was a given. And this Avs team could sure as hell
use his fire/passion on a team sorely lacking.
The problem the Avs have though, is that they have the following guys
signed:
Hannan - $4.5M
Liles - $4M
Foote - $3M
Clark - $3.5M
Salei - $3M
....and not a true 1st pairing guy amongst the lot. That's basically 5
2nd pairing guys (giving Clark a big goddamn benefit of the doubt),
rather than 2-2-1 (1st pairing, 2nd, 3rd...). I guess their strategy
is to throw bodies at it...
The other problem the Avs have, is that they didn't improve their
defense from last season. Though if they trade Clark, that'll improve
it on the spot. :-)
Chris
|
