Four sticks (OK, many more)

Good God it never ends.

Day four of the free agency period brings more big money, and even more questionable signings. And though it’s only day four, it truly feels like day 7,938.

First, re-signings. Anaheim locked up Brad May for two more years (no terms), and Edmonton will have Raffi Torres for three more years at a cool $6.75 million. I’m a big fan of Torres, but I’d be hard-pressed to say I think he’s a $2.25 million a year player. He brings a lot of fire, but not so many goals. He was huge for Hamilton back in 2003, so there’s always a place for him in my heart, just maybe not at that price.

Also huge for Hamilton back in 2003: Mathieu Garon, who the Oilers signed to a two-year deal (no terms) Wednesday. Garon played in 32 games for the Kings last season, missing time because of injury and Dan Cloutier. He posted a 13-10-6 record with a decent 2.66 goals-against average and tidy .907 save percentage. He will back up Dwayne Roloson in Edmonton, and with his reputation for being streaky, may even challenge the incumbent 37-year old for playing time. It is a long-held belief that Garon is a solid goalie with the potential to start, and the Oilers could have a solid duo between the pipes this upcoming season.

Vancouver signed a motley crew of players Wednesday including forwards Byron Ritchie and Brad Isbister (no terms) for reasons no one outside of Peter Griffin (Dave Nonis)’s office can fathom; goalie Curtis Sanford (one year, $600,000) to back up Roberto Luongo; and some minor league players. Ritchie and Isbister don’t bring a whole lot to the table. Ricthie recorded a career-high 14 points last season, while Isbister, a former 20-goal scorer, recorded a career low five (in just 19 games). Sanford; however, is a very dependable back-up, who actually saw action in 31 games for the Blues last season. He will go a long way to helping the Canucks understand the following: just because you have Roberto Luongo, doesn’t mean he has to play all 82 games.

New Jersey went almost completely off the deep end, inking Dainius Zubrus to a six-year, $20.4 million deal. Maybe $3.4 million a year isn’t too much money for a guy that’s only once played more than 75 games in a season, and maybe $3.4 million a year isn’t too much money for a guy that’s only once registered 60 points in a season, but six years is absolutely too long a contract for a player with said criteria. It should also be noted Zubrus’ highest point totals came in two seasons riding shotgun with Alex Ovechkin. Before being traded to Buffalo toward the end of last season, Zubrus had 109 points in 131 games alongside Vouching (compared to 107 in 200 games with the Caps pre-Ovechkin), and just eight points in 19 games in Buffalo, while seeing similar ice time.

Another former Sabre, Jiri Novotny (traded to Washington for Zubrus) has another new home. Novotny signed a two-year deal (no terms) with Columbus. Novotny has some scoring ability, and could realistically play on any of the Blue Jackets lines. Specifically, he may be able to find strong chemistry with Sergei Fedorov.

Eric Belanger signed in Minnesota for a much more reasonable $5.25 million over three years. Belanger split last season between Carolina and Atlanta, and will be well-served by a move back to the Western Conference. Though Belanger has never amassed more than 37 points in a season, he has registered at least 33 in each of the last four. Belanger has some defensive weaknesses, but he‘s fleet of foot, and the Wild may find him to their liking.

Tampa Bay will bring Brad Lukowich back for another tour of duty. Lukowich signed a three-year deal (no terms) to return to Tampa Bay, where he enjoyed his best statistical season in 2004 (five goals, 19 points, plus-29, rock-solid playoffs en route to the Stanley Cup). Lukowich’s best days are behind him, but he’ll be comfortable in Tampa Bay, and still has plenty left in the tank.

The Los Angeles Kings went for another dive into the free agent pool, signing goaltender Jason LaBarbera to a two-year deal (no terms) and defenseman Brad Stuart to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. LaBarbera spent last season in the American league (despite a solid 29-game stint with the Kings in 2006), and like Garon, is widely regarded as a potential starting goalie. It’s not like this has ever happened before, but if Dan Cloutier misses any time next season, LaBarbera is an excellent failsafe. And again with not questioning Kings’ GM Dean Lombardi, he drafted Stuart back in 1998, and Stuart became an excellent defenseman. He struggled in Boston under the shadow of being “the guy we (the Bruins) got for Thornton,” but should flourish in Los Angeles, where he’ll likely play on the top pairing with Lubomir Visnovsky. Meanwhile, The Kings’ blue line corps then follows with Jaroslav Modry, Rob Blake, Tom Preissing and Jack Johnson. Barring a trade, I think it’s safe to say the Kings like their defense, and won’t be pursuing Sheldon Souray.