Historical NHL Free Agent Signings on July 6

July 6th has typically been a busy day over the course of history. With some quality free agents still available, is there any reason to believe that this season will be any different?

If history is any indicator, we might see some of those available free agents signing contracts today!

Historical July 6 NHL Free Agent Signings

July 6, 2004 – Phoenix Coyotes signed free agent defenseman Sean O’Donnell, who had been with the Boston Bruins.

July 6, 2004 – Ottawa Senators signed free agent goaltender Dominik Hasek.

July 6, 2004 – Los Angeles Kings signed free agent Craig Conroy, who had been with the Calgary Flames.

July 6, 2001 – Minnesota Wild signed free agent Andrew Brunette. Brunette went on to lead all 2001 Free Agents – in scoring, with 69 points in 2001-02.

July 6, 2001 – Boston Bruins signed free agent left wing Rob Zamuner.

July 6, 2000 – Philadelphia Flyers signed free agent Michal Sykora.

July 6, 2000 – Los Angeles Kings signed free agent Stu Grimson.

July 6, 1999 – New York Rangers signed free agents Valeri Kamensky and Stephane Quintal.

July 6, 1998 – Nashville Predators signed free agent Tom Fitzgerald, and named him the first Captain in team history.

July 6, 1994 – Philadelphia Flyers signed free agent Craig MacTavish

July 6, 1983 – Detroit signed free agent goaltender Ken Holland, who went on to play 3 games with the Red Wings in 1983-84, finishing with a 4.11 GAA.

*Incidentally, Holland was named the Red Wings General Manager in 1997.

July 6, 1983 – Boston Bruins signed free agent Geoff Courtnall

July 6, 1978 – The Islanders signed John Tonelli as a free agent. Tonelli went on to star with the Islanders’ four Stanley Cup Winners.

Interview With Nashville’s Pekka Rinne

NHL Digest correspondent Neil Bristow recently had a chance to sit down with Nashville Predator goaltender, Pekka Rinne, for a one-on-one interview.

You made your NHL debut Dec.15th 2005. Can you share with us a little of what that was like? What was going through your mind at that time?

Pekka Rinne – It was something that I had always been dreaming of. At that time both Tomas Vokoun and Chris Mason were hurt and I got the call. Everything happened pretty fast and I didn`t have time to stress about the game, we won the game and it was just amazing experience I`ll remember for rest of my life.

You played with Karpat Oulu (FNL) before coming over to North America. Is playing goalie over here different than in Finland? If so, why? And did you have to make adjustments to your game at all?

Pekka Rinne – The game is little different in Finland mostly because of the bigger ice surface..Players have more time to use their skills. In North America game is more north-south style of play. That`s why I had to change my game more aggressive to challenge the shooter and cut down the angles. I really like the North American style of game.

What were some of your goals this year coming in to Camp in Nashville?

Pekka Rinne -  My goal was to have a good summer and strong training camp and make the team. Also prove that I can play in NHL and that I belong.

What is your biggest moment so far in your career and why?

Pekka Rinne -  When I played in Finland we won two championships in a row 2004 and 2005. It was pretty special because I played for my hometown team in front of my family and friends. Other great moment was when we made it to Calder Cup finals with Milwaukee on 2006. We had a great team but unfortunately we came short and Hershey won the Cup.

With players like Jaromir Jagr going over to play in the Kontinental league in Russia for the same money they would make in the NHL, the Russian  league has stated in the past, that they will pay NHL-like salaries for players  in their league.  Do you see this becoming a realistic problem for the NHL, losing great European talent to Russia?

Pekka Rinne – Maybe in the future, but I don`t think it`s a problem right now. NHL is such a respected league around the world that every kid in Europe wants to play in NHL someday.

Who did you look up to growing up, goaltender -wise?

Pekka Rinne -  My cousin used to play goalie growing up and he had a big influence on me. He is the biggest reason why I started to play goalie. In NHL I used watch Patrick Roy and John Vanbiesbrouck play when growing up.

Who is one player that you have faced before, that you wouldn’t want coming in on you in a shootout? And why?

Pekka Rinne – Back in AHL I think Darren Haydar is a player that I don`t like to face too many times.  I played with him in Milwaukee ´06-07 and you would think that I know his moves, but he`s just so smart and skilled player that he reads goalies and forces them to make the first move.

The NHL is once again started the season over in Europe this year with the Lightning and Rangers battling in Prague and the Sens and Pens in Stockholm.  What are your thoughts on NHL teams starting a long season over there with all the travel and scheduling? Are you in favour of that?

Pekka Rinne – As a European and knowing European hockey fans I think it`s great thing that they are able to see and watch their favorite players and teams. Also it`s a good way to showcase the whole NHL and it`s unbelievable players. And also for players I think it`s nice to see some new countries and cities. Obviously the schedule is hard but there`s more gain than harm, teams playing in Europe.

What NHL city, other than Nashville, do you most looking forward to playing in? And why?

Pekka Rinne –  Before the season, beside Nashville, I had not visited too many NHL cities, but I really like all Canadian NHL cities because hockey is just so big in Canada. I have to say it`s a privilege to play for the Nashville organization, we have such a great fans and hockey is getting bigger in South.

The NHL has thrown around the idea of maybe changing the size of the NHL nets or maybe altering goaltender’s equipment.  What are your thoughts and ideas on that topic?

Pekka Rinne –  It`s a topic that everybody has different opinion. I think that if people decide to change the size of the nets, would be a mistake. All the records and games played before would lose their meaning and new era of hockey would begin. But I`m fine with altering goalie gear as long as it`s safe for goalies.

Have you had any embarrassing on- ice moments in your career so far? If so, could you share a story with our readers?

Pekka Rinne – There`s couple moments that I try to forget.. This one happened when playing in Finland. We played against Ilves Tampere and were leading 3-2, there was only 3 seconds left in the game and I started almost celebrating when somebody just threw the puck to net and it went in off my skate and at the same time buzzer went off. We ended up losing the game in overtime.

It was the final game of the regular season and we would have finished first if we would have won that game. I wasn`t happy tell you that much. Luckily we were able to win the Finnish Championship that year so I could laugh about it with the guys afterwards.

If you had the power to make changes in the NHL game, would you change anything? If so what would you change?

Pekka Rinne -  I think NHL have done a great job with some changes in the game last few years. It has made the game faster and more interesting for the fans and also for the players. I don`t have any new suggestions, I just try to work on things that I can control. Thanks!!

I would like to say thank you to Pekka Rinne for giving his time and sharing his thoughts with our readers.

Until next time, I’m Neil Bristow for nhldigest.com