HOCKEYCENTRAL Free Agency 09 Has The Annual Free Agent Feeding Frenzy Covered on Rogers SportsNet Sports Programming / Sportsnets Posted by RAD on Jun 29, 2009 - 03:56 PM No matter where viewers are on Canada Day, Hockeycentral Free Agency 09 is the destination for all the latest NHL free agent signings on Wednesday, July 1 at 9 p.m. (ET)/6 p.m. (PT) on Rogers Sportsnet. As the opening bell for NHL unrestricted free agency is rung on July 1st, Hockeycentral analysts Nick Kypreos, Doug MacLean and Mike Brophy along with hosts Daren Millard and RJ Broadhead breakdown all the action from the day’s signings. With many GMs expected to open their wallets for big-ticket free agents, Kypreos, MacLean and Brophy offer their opinions on what could happen. “Front-line free agents such as Jay Bouwmeester, Marian Gaborik and Marian Hossa will sign huge deals for big money,” says Kypreos. “I think what people have to keep in mind is teams will not be afraid to over-spend to get the guy they want. I think the biggest players on July 1st will be the teams who regularly contribute most of the league’s revenues: the Canadian teams. After missing the playoffs, teams like Edmonton and Toronto will be especially aggressive to get better by signing free agents.” MacLean wonders if long-term contracts will continue. “People will still pay for the top guys,” says MacLean. “But the bigger question is, how long will these contracts be signed for? Will it be for 10-12 years like Alex Ovechkin and Henrik Zetterberg? Term is the biggest issue for general managers because they don’t want to be locked into long-term deals. Teams to watch include Montreal and Los Angeles who could be conducting major changes to their line-up. Brian Burke will want to put his mark on the Leafs and let everyone in the league know that Toronto means business.” “I have a sense the top dollar for the best free agents could take a dip this year,” says Brophy. “With the uncertainty of the economy, teams may want to safe guard against a decrease in the cap following the 2009-10 season. So who will be shopping? There are whispers Brian Burke would like to acquire the Sedins for his Maple Leafs. It wouldn’t be the first time he made a major splash with the twins. The Montreal Canadiens have a slew of UFAs, many of whom are likely to depart, and will have to sign some top-end talent to replace them.” All Connected reporters will be on hand across the six Canadian NHL cities to report any signings. Fans can log on to sportsnet.ca throughout the day for up-to-the minute news on all the breaking signings. This article is from CHANNEL CANADA   http://irc.channelcanada.com/ The URL for this story is:   http://irc.channelcanada.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=3110