Today is the first day of free agency. And Montreal fans must think that Glen Sather is the real life Joker, as he absolutely fleeced Bob Gainey in that Gomez trade. My faith in Sather has temporarily been restored, pending his actions today and throughout the duration of the free agency period.

With tons o money to be spent (roughly $27 million), the first priority is to make sure there is enough room left to resign Zherdev, Higgins, Dubinsky, Callahan and Korpikoski. The five of them should command roughly $16 million (Cally/Dubi about $2.5 million a piece, Korpo about $1.5 million, Higgins/Zherdev about $4 million each, leaving some buffer room). That leaves $11 million to spend, minus Gilroy $1.75 and Anisimov ($880k), you are left with roughly $9 million to spend on a RW and a defenseman. (Disclaimer: Rough estimates, I didn’t spend much time running the numbers, I have work to do)

If Sather really wants to be frugle, then he signs Knuble to a 1 year deal (he’s over 35, no multi year deals please) at roughly $2.5 million, and he gives the kids a chance to play. The cap will be going down next year. Or he can go the Hossa or Tanguay route.

But hey, with my renewed faith, maybe he will be able to pull off a deal for Brad Richards that centers around Wade Redden.

If only…

Update 10:25pm: 95 minutes until the opening bell (12pm EST).

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