A Look Back at Today's Moves

The 1st day of free agency saw many players signing with new teams, a few guys staying with the same team and few former WBS and Pittsburgh Penguins jumping ship and looking for a fresh start in their careers.

The biggest news of the day came from Pittsburgh, where Jaromir Jagr's offer was withdrawn and he later signed with the Philadelphia Flyers for $3.3 million. Max Talbot also joined the Flyers, signing a 5 year deal worth $9 million.

But the Penguins did make two moves, re-signing Tyler Kennedy for two years at $2 million a season and signing former Nashville Predators forward Steve Sullivan to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.

The Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins didn't add anyone added Colin McDonald to their roster today, and the addition of Sullivan and the re-signing of Kenendy could prevent guys like Nick Johnson, Joe Vitale and even Eric Tangradi from at least beginning the season in the NHL.

Corey Potter won't be returning to the Penguins next season, as he just signed a one year two-way deal with the Edmonton Oilers organization.



The Penguins AHL rival Hershey, however, was very busy today. The Bears signed defenseman Paul Baier, formerly of Rochester, to AHL deal for 2011-2012. Here's what Bears broadcaster John Walton had to say about Baier:

"Baier brings good size (6'4", 225 lbs) to Hershey, and he's also a non-vet. Good key first signing for the club today."

 Bears beat writer Tim Leone also had nice things to say about Baier:

"Baier was named Amerks man of the year last season and also garnered the club's community service award."

But the Bears weren't done there. They added the leading scorer of the AHL's playoffs in Ryan Potulny to a two-year deal with the first year being a two-way deal. They also added former Lake Erie forward Matthew Ford. Adding Potulny and Ford boosts a forward core already stocked with talent.

Here's what TSN's Bob McKenzie says on the details of Potulny's contract:

Washington signs Ryan Potulny to 2 year deal. First year is 2-way, $525K/$105K. Second year is $525K on a one-way deal. Big-time AHL scorer.

Here's what Bears beat writer Tim Leone had to say about Ford:

Ford had career high in goals (26G,16A) for Lake Erie last season. He was Joudrey's teammate at Wisconsin. 

Their NHL affiliate Washington Capitals were just as busy. Only one of their moves directly affects the Bears though. . The Capitals traded Semyon Varlamov to the Colorado Avalanche for their 1st round pick in 2012 and 2nd round pick on either 2012 or 2013. This move probably puts Bears #1 netminder Braden Holtby in the NHL in 2011-12, unless the Capitals add another NHL ready goaltender.

Here's a look at a few former WBS Penguins players who were signed today:

• Remember Michel Ouellet? The Tampa Bay Lightning announce they'll  bring him back on a one-year, two-way deal. Ouellet has spent the last two years playing over in Europe.
• Tim Brent, signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. Here's what Brent had to say on his Twitter feed:
  

  "Very excited to be a new member of the Carolina Hurricanes. Looking forward to being in Raleigh and helping the team continue to get better!"