Just Another Boring Ol' Tuesday

So July 1 is finally here, and with it, free agency, Canada Day, and my old man's birthday (Happy B-day, Pops).

But whereas past "Free Agent Days" have been welcomed with resigned disappointment (2006, for example) or renewed hope (e.g. 2007), today feels more like some kind of Christmas nightmare in which you wake up and run downstairs to find that your parents have simply taken some of your favorite toys, wrapped them up, and thrown them under the tree, and that a bunch of strangers are in your house trying to steal those very presents. And while they may not be shiny and new, those gifts are yours... those thieving bastards can get their own.

Where was I? Oh yeah. We should know soon enough whether or not the Caps' free agent strategy (of letting the market decide players' values rather than possibly overpaying for the security of locking up players beforehand) was a wise one. To help you out a bit, here's a look at where things stand, roster- and salary-wise (numbers courtesy NHLSCAP.com, which I'm still considering accurate until proven otherwise, despite its new affiliation). I'll keep that updated as needed.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the day. And if you're getting stressed out and need to go to your happy place, I'm sure the Dallas Stars Ice Girls (led by 2007 Ice Princess finalist Phoenix) would let you hitch a ride there on their yacht.

Finally, I'll leave you with a horrible song to have stuck in your head an impassioned plea to Cristobal Huet on behalf of all Caps fans: