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The Blades made seven qualifying offers today, to forwards Preston Callander, Derek Damon, Brad Zancanaro and Brad Herauf, as well as defensemen Steve Czech and Brett Peterson.

Don't expect too many of those guys to be signed, according to new head coach Malcolm Cameron, who said last year's eight re-signings definitely won't be matched in the '08-09 season.

See my story online for the nuts and bolts and quotes from Damon, Zancanaro, veteran Ernie Hartlieb, Peterson and Cameron.

Basically, though, Hartlieb is all but signed -- Cameron said he expects a deal to be made with the '07-08 captain within the next few weeks. The Blades often don't make qualifying offers to veterans, especially ones like Hartlieb who live in SWFL and aren't expected to sign with a different ECHL team.

Cameron also made it sound as if Herauf has already been signed.

"I don't want to tip my hand too much," Cameron said. "But (Herauf) wants to come back here, and we'd like to have him back."

The Blades would also like to get Damon and Callander back. But Damon said it's "highly unlikely" he'll return to Florida next season. He expects to go to Europe if he doesn't get a good AHL deal.

Cameron said he has talked with Callander, but the Blades are going to be "very patient" with him this offseason. Callander's wife, Rachel, just had the couple's first baby last week. So understandably, things are pretty busy with them. But there's a better shot that Callander would be back than Damon, I think.

It gets a little fuzzier with Zancanaro, Czech and Peterson. Cameron said the Blades are pursuing all the guys on the list "to a varying degree." I would guess the degree is a little less when it comes to these three.

From their end, all three would probably like to return to FL IF they stay in the ECHL. Zancanaro said for him it's either returning to FL or going overseas, where he has gotten a few offers. He also said he understands that the Blades won't be able to wait too long for him to make up his mind.

Peterson said he was just 50/50 on even playing hockey at all next season until recently. He said now it's about 75 percent ... but he too is weighing offers from Europe.

As we all know, it's tough for the ECHL to compete with Europe, especially for older guys who have started to give up the NHL dream. The $$ is just better overseas, and lots of times it's fewer games.

I didn't get a chance to talk to Czech, but he talked Peto into coming to FL, an indication that the team's leader on the PK might be back.

Beyond last year's guys, we're still waiting for finalized announcements on deals with '07-08 Texas forwards John McNabb and Kevin Baker, who weren't on Ontario's protected list and who Cameron has hinted at making deals with. Cameron wouldn't say an exact number of how many contracts the Blades have already finalized, but he did say: "We've already made quite a few deals with some players I'm very excited about."

Expect another player signing tomorrow.