This is from ESPN:

That's about where most teams were before the strike.
Of course the Wings lead the way at about $55M.
Let's see Hasek and Jiggy go at it again.

No more Schneider...
For the third straight offseason, the Anaheim Ducks have apparently locked up a big defenseman. According to a report from TSN of Canada, the defending Stanley Cup champions have signed unrestricted free agent Mathieu Schneider to a two-year deal worth $11.25 million.
Schneider, 38, spent the past four seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and had 11 goals and 41 assists and averaged 23:35 in ice time over 68 goals in 2006-07.
link: ESPN - Schneider reportedly signs two-year deal with Ducks - NHL

Reason:
From Schneider's point of view, this is an ideal situation. He is now near his off-season home in Southern California, and he no longer has to deal with coach Mike Babcock, with whom he didn't exactly see eye-to-eye. And money.

Replacement:
Free agency began at noon today, and Schneider is the first "big-name" signing. The Wings have known for a while he was going to test the market, and so had backup plans ready for today. They looked at free agent Brian Rafalski, but he's apparently seeking Kimmo Timonen-like money — in the $6-million plus range — and the Wings can't really swing that. They've already got their one high-prized defenseman, and that's Nicklas Lidstrom.

Other alternatives include Sheldon Souray, though he's a defensive liability and probably also too expensive; Andy Sutton, Brad Stuart and Tom Preissing.
link: Helene St. James' blog: Schneider signs with Ducks

And the Red Wings make a move:
Free agent defenceman Brian Rafalski has agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings. Rafalski is regarded as one of the top defencemen on this year's free agent market.
For the second year in a row, Rafalski played in all 82 games and posted eight goals and 47 assists for a career-high 55 points. The three-time All-Star has played his entire seven-year career with the New Jersey Devils, recording 44 goals and 311 points.
link:Detroit Red Wings sign veteran blue-liner Brian Rafalski - Yahoo! News

Rafalski interview from TSN.

If he played for the Devils his Defense is impeccable.

I didn't see this posted. Maybe I missed it.

Good riddance.

Ducks sign Bertuzzi - NHL - Yahoo! Sports

Ducks seem to like BIG players..........Wonder if they tried to sign Tank Johnson yet..

Wings weren't going to give Bertuzzi $8mil over 2 years. I believe Lang got the same from Blackhawks.

Rafalski is a solid D-man and IMO is an upgrade over Schneider at this point in his career.

Souray is a joke. Sure he'll give you PPG's, but he'll also give up more goals than he contributes. Defensive liability is an understatement.

I'm glad that the Habs won't be resigning him. They offered him a 4yr, $22 million contract which him and his -28 plus/minus from last season promptly refused. So the Habs offered the exact same deal to Roman Hamrlik and his +22 who promptly accepted. Although they overpaid for Hamrlik, the Habs also gained an actual defenseman in the deal (a swing of 50 in the +/- category). I'll take that any day. Give me a defenseman who can defend and let the forwards worry about scoring. A D man that can add some O is a great bonus, but not at the expense of his defensive responsibilities.

If teams didn't have a defensive zone to worry about, Souray would be one of the best in the game. Unfortunately for the team that signs him, he's a defenseless defenseman.

__________________