Free Agent Frenzy
James Duthie here with all your TSN insiders, on what is perhaps the most exciting day of the year. Free agent frenzy. Some big names out there, however none are bigger than Brett Seabrook. He's sure to attract many suitors as is Ryan Kesler.
Bob: That's right James, Seabrook and Kesler are the cream of the crop and teams will be calling them. Kevin Bieksa, Brian Campbell and James Reimer will also field plenty of interest.
Darren: I'm told Seabrook wants a 6 year term south of 6M per.
Pierre: There are also a few prospects on the market, Eric Cornel, Brycen Martin, Brendan Lemieux and Alex Peters will fetch interest from teams who are looking to add to their prospect pool.
Gord: I'm told Seabrook will listen to all offers, however he is most curious to hear Winnipeg's proposal.
Darren: Jets will aggressively pursue Seabrook as they look to take the next step.
James: The Seabrook Sweepstakes are underway here, on what promises to be a busy day.
Pierre: Whoever gets this guy is getting a hell of a player and is going to get a lot better. Senators are in the mix and my god would a Karlsson-Seabrook pairing be scary.
Ray: Sens want to get back into the playoff mix and this is a move that would certainly do it.
James: We have a signing to announce.
Gord: Winnipeg Jets sign Barrie Colts F Brendan Lemieux.
Ray: Guys i'm not surprised by this, Dale Hawlerchuck is a close personal advisor to Jets GM Martin Ward, so I'm sure they did their homework. He refused to sign with Buffalo after being cut from the team 2 years running, will be an interesting prospect to watch.
Bob: Kesler Sweepstakes heating up, 5 teams interested. Colorado in the mix. Eric Cornel is getting a ton of interest.
Craig: Another Sabres draft choice that went unsigned, two-way player with good size, could be a 2nd line center down the line.
James: Looks like Gord has got something.
Gord: Flurry of signings, prospects flocking to Winnipeg. Jets have signed Derek Dorsett, Eric Cornel, Brycen Martin, Alex Peters and Landon Bow. Brian Campbell lands in Montreal, Alex Killorn in Colorado and David Jones in New Jersey.
Pierre: Jets are at 50 contracts, they have to make a move in they want to sign Seabrook. They are loaded for the future I would expect a busy summer in Winnipeg.
James: Seriously what are the Jets going to do with all these prospects ?
Darren: Winnipeg has traded Karl Klingberg to Buffalo for 2017 5th, 6th and 7th round picks.
Pierre: That frees up a contract for Seabrook.
Craig: I would expect the Jets will move some of these youngsters out sooner or later, might just be packaging them for more picks. Good cycle.
Gord: Nearing the end of the day here, but we've got big news. Bieksa signs with New Jersey, Kesler with Phoenix, and Seabrook has signed a 6 year deal with the Winnipeg Jets worth 6.5M per year. I would expect that Toby Enstrom's days with the Jets are numbered now.
Pierre: The Jets are serious about winning, they added grit to that 4th line and one of the best defenders in hockey today. They are amongst the cup favorites for the year.
Darren: Jets really wanted to add Seabrook, they felt they were missing a true top 2. You look at the west, every top team has their top 2 pairing, Jets knew they needed another D. Market for Enstrom will be huge.
James: The newest Jet Brent Seabrook is on the line joining us, Brent why the Jets ?
Brent: I played against them all year last year and I felt they were a young team on the rise, wanted to be a part of it. I wanted a new challenge and this is it.
James: Are you sad to be leaving Chicago where you one 2 Stanley Cups ?
Brent: Of course, but I'm 31 and I feel like I've accomplished all that I can there.
James: Well I'll leave you to enjoy this moment, good luck this year, and thanks for doing this.
Brent: Thanks for having me.
James: This concludes our TSN free agent frenzy coverage, thanks for joining us and we'll see you at puck drop.
