Puck On The 'Net: Free Agent Frenzy

Here's a few slap shots on the 'Net:

• Happy Canada Day! Free agency Day to hockey fans. Twitter will be the place to be to follow the action as far as I'm concerned. Here's who I'm following specifically tomorrow:  @walsha (player agent Allan Walsh promises to keep us all in the loop on all his negotiations), @SpectorsHockey (Lyle Richardson is the best) @RealESPNLeBrun (Pierre Lebrun), @mirtle (James Mirtle), @RealKyper (Nick Kypreos), the CBC boys @FriedmanHNIC (Elliotte Friedman) and @JeffMarek and - if they're not too busy on TV - the TSN Crew: @tsnjamesduthie, @DarrenDreger, and @TSNBobMcKenzie. I'll be at work so I won't tweeting too much, but you can always follow me @HockeyLegends.  
• Late Wednesday there was a significant trade that I really like from both teams vantage points. Chicago traded Kris Versteeg and prospect Bill Sweatt (who they were going to let become UFA) in exchange for Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis. Toronto gets a badly needed top six forward, and a very versatile one at that. Chicago moves another contract for more cap space, but in doing so acquire a real good prospect in Stalberg, who I think down the road will be a nice NHLer. Whether DiDomenico or Paradis ever make it remains to be seen, but Chicago is restocking the prospect pool - that's how they became Stanley Cup champions in the first place.
• The move also allows the Hawks to sign goalie Antti Niemi and defenseman Niklas Hjarmalsson. Rumors have it they may still be trying to trade Andrew Ladd as they fear his arbitration rights will make him too pricey for the cap-crunched Hawks. SportsNet's Nick Kypreos is saying as many as 14 teams are trying to trade for Ladd.
• Rod Brind'Amour has announced his retirement. Aside from the last couple of seasons, I always admired Rod Brind'Amour. I've seen some reporters refer to him as a future Hall of Famer. Really? As much as I liked him, he's just another very, very good player but not a great one. Here's my previously written post - Rod Brind'Amour HHOF Worthy?
• It's not a retirement, but Mike Van Ryn also announced he will not play the upcoming season due to that terrible knee injury he had. That means by the time the 2011-12 season comes around, the once promising defenseman will have played a grand total of 47 games over 4 seasons. 
• Here's my must-read link of the day for hockey history buffs: A memorable taxi cab encounter with a thoughtful former Leaf by Vintage Leaf Memories. Michael Langlois' site is simply fantastic.