"When you break through, like Chicago did," Lombardi said. "That team belongs to those kids. Their building's filled and it's an attractive place."
Lombardi considered it progress that he could target wingers and didn't need to fill multiple holes, as he did in a Dumpster-diving spree two years ago. But it's no comfort that the Kings are being turned down by a better class of free agent than before.
Although some quality players moved Wednesday, free agency is generally an overheated exercise in overspending. In addition to Hossa's big bucks, the Montreal Canadiens spent lavishly on two small forwards, giving center Michael Cammalleri $30 million over five years and right wing Brian Gionta $25 million over five years. And twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin re-signed with Vancouver before free agency began, each for an average of $6.1 million over five years.
"I thought guys would be a little more cautious, but I guess there's no reason for me to think that's going to happen," said Ducks General Manager Bob Murray, who planned to watch for a while after securing Niedermayer for one season at $6 million plus team-linked bonuses.
"Every year it just seems to continually go and go like this. Why should we expect the players to bring things back in line when every year we go ahead and do the same things?"
Murray made a reasonable deal with Niedermayer, given the smooth-skating defenseman's impact and talents. Niedermayer said once he decided to return next season -- which will be interrupted by the Vancouver Olympics, with him a member of Team Canada -- he was sure he wanted to stay with the Ducks.
"The last few years I've probably enjoyed playing more than I ever have," he said.
He also said he's "very excited and comfortable with our team," even though the Ducks probably won't re-sign defenseman Francois Beauchemin if he draws offers above $4 million per season. Murray also said he made an offer to center Todd Marchant that was rejected and he hasn't begun talks with Niedermayer's brother, Rob, a defense-oriented right wing.
Scott Niedermayer said playing alongside his brother "is not a necessity, but if he is back I'd love it."
Many other bodies were shuffled and some good moves made, as Montreal got defenseman Hal Gill from the champion Penguins for $4.5 million over two years.
The Edmonton Oilers lost goalie Dwayne Roloson to the New York Islanders but recovered by signing Nikolai Khabibulin for $15 million over four years.
Lombardi said he might add a free-agent defenseman, and trades are another avenue for improvement.
"We're poised to strike for the right guy," he said, a refrain that's getting older, staler and less believable by the minute.
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helene.elliott@latimes.com
