Avalanche Sign Jan Hejda, Chuck Kobasew, J.S. Giguere

The Colorado Avalanche announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed defenseman Jan Hejda to a four-year contract worth $13 million and right wing Chuck Kobasew and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere to two-year contracts worth $2.5 million a piece. Hejda's contract will average out to $3.25 million per year, while Kobasew and Giguere's deals will pay them $1.25 million per season. In 77 games last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Hejda had five goals and 15 assists for 20 points, while Kobasew had nine goals and seven assists for 16 points in 63 games with the Minnesota Wild. In 33 games last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Giguere posted an 11-11-4 record, with a 2.87 GAA, and a .900 save percentage. These are decent signings for the Avalanche, as all three players will add lots of veteran depth to the team at their respective positions. Hejda brings lots of puck-moving ability to the blueline, as well as lots of skill as a shutdown defenseman. Kobasew gives the Avalanche some two-way ability on the forward lines, as well as some speed. Giguere brings a wealth of experience in goal and is a solid contributor who can win games when he is at the top of his game. Look for him to serve as a mentor to the newly acquired Semyon Varlamov.

Maple Leafs Acquire Giguere from Ducks

Within an hour of acquiring all-star defenseman Dion Phaneuf from the Calgary Flames, the Toronto Maple Leafs made another big trade splash by acquiring goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goaltender Vesa Toskala and left wing Jason Blake. The deal reunites Giguere with general manager Brian Burke, whom he played under when Burke was in Anaheim, and former goaltending coach Francois Allaire. Giguere has struggled this season, appearing in just 20 games, posting a 4-8-5 record with a 3.14 GAA and a .900 save percentage. Toskala has also struggled this season with the Maple Leafs, posting a 7-12-3 record in 26 games with a 3.66 GAA and a .874 save percentage. Blake has struggled this season as well, scoring 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points in 56 games.

Again, here is another trade that caught me by surprise. With the Ducks' recent re-signing of goaltender Jonas Hiller to a four-year contract, it appeared that Giguere's time in Anaheim was coming to an end. It was believed that Giguere's salary and struggles would make him nearly impossible to move this season, given that he has one more year on his current contract worth $7 million. However, Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke was able to move the dollars to make the deal work. Giguere brings a wealth of experience in goal for the Maple Leafs and is a solid contributor who can win games when he's at the top of his game. He will also likely serve as a mentor to prospect Jonas Gustavsson. Toskala, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, should serve as a suitable back-up for Hiller for the rest of the season. Blake should provide the Ducks with plenty of offensive depth and goal-scoring skill, provided he can break out of his current slump and return to the 60-point level he was at the past few seasons. However, at 36-years-old, age might be finally catching up with him. Blake is under contract for two more seasons after this one, so if Teemu Selanne decides to opt for retirement this summer, Blake could end up being his replacement.