Free Agency's WINNER & LOSERS Boston Bruins GM Mike O'Connell started with nothing and within a matter of days built a team that has the makings of a Cup contender. Yes, O'Connell got jobbed when Mike Modano went back to Dallas at the last minute, but he still has a lineup that includes new faces Brian Leetch, Dave Scatchard, Alexei Zhamnov, Glen Murray, Shawn McEachern and Brad Isbister. Whether these players can be molded into a true team will be the challenge for sophomore coach Mike Sullivan. And, of course, there's the small matter of his unhappy captain, Joe Thornton.
Colorado Avalanche Give up Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote and replace them with Pierre Turgeon and Patrice Brisebois? Yikes. Yes, there's still Joe Sakic, Rob Blake, Alex Tanguay and Milan Hejduk, but who's going to play net? How the mighty will fall.
New York Rangers The Rangers are trapped between being a big-market power and building from the ground up, which explains the signings of injury-prone Martin Straka, mercurial Ville Nieminen and aging Martin Rucinsky, among other second-tier free agents. Kevin Weekes better get used to a ton of rubber being tossed his way in the Rangers' net.
Philadelphia Flyers Let's see. Best player in the world? Check. Two tough, towering defensemen? Check. Check. GM Bob Clarke outdid himself by signing Peter Forsberg, Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje to complement a well-rounded, talented cast. No other team has adjusted to the new system better or more quickly.
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Craig Patrick can't take credit for the luck of the draw that landed Sidney Crosby in his lap, but he certainly took advantage of that good fortune to woo top free agents Sergei Gonchar and Ziggy Palffy. His signing of Mark Recchi before the lockout was another shrewd move as the Penguins have quickly remade themselves into a playoff-ready team. If, as expected, they add a veteran netminder such as Sean Burke or Curtis Joseph, the sky is the limit.
Washington Capitals You still here? Hello? Hello? Anyone in there?
