So Who's Left? Plenty Of Help Remains Available.
Free Agents are continuing to sign on the dotted line as we speak, but there certainly is some talent remaining in the pool of available players.
The frenzy is over but there are teams with some cap space and needs and players looking for work. Whether they will get the kind of money the players who signed July 1st got remains to be seen. But certainly help is available. It just depends on the price.
Centres
Mats Sundin – Back to Toronto? Retirement? Seems to be the only two options unless there is another team he is willing to play for. That appears unlikely.
Joe Sakic – A return to the Avs or retirement is almost certain. But could he, for just one year play at home in Vancouver….where the Olympics are being held and get one last chance at something big before retirement?
Saku Koivu – There should be plenty of interest in the former Habs captain including his old team in Montreal. The Ducks, with Selanne for a year is an attractive option as would playing with his brother Mikko in Minnesota.
Mike Comrie – Comrie will have to take a deep salary cut but he is young enough that he has some miles left on him to contribute in a strictly offensive role.
Robert Lang – Is he healed? Thats the big question. He’d probably like to play one more year to perhaps earn a berth in the Olympics. A likely option is to return to Europe.
Alexandre Giroux – Who is this guy? Well he had over 60 goals in the AHL last season. He has been a career minor leaguer, but may be a cheap option and could surprise.
Todd Marchant – Old but still quick. Can help with leadership and kill some penalties. A return to Edmonton would be great. Or maybe back to his hometown of Buffalo.
Mike Sillinger – His career may be over due to injury. But he would be someone willing to take the minimum to stay in the NHL. Lots of miles on this well travelled veteran.
Michael Peca – Another veteran long in the tooth. May want to latch onto a contender like say San Jose or Philly if he is willing to go cheap.
Manny Malholtra – Big checking centre, still young, can add a bit of offence. Has good size to play a defensive role. At his age, probably in some demand. Toronto would be a good fit. He would help the Habs too with his size. His skating ability would be a nice fit in Edmonton too.
Dominic Moore – Foolishly turned down a fair deal from the Leafs and now will be lucky to recoup those numbers now from anyone. Typecast as a journeyman checking depth centre. Leafs may want him back but only at their price. Nice fit on a young team like the Isles or Florida.
Scott Nichol – Grinding 4th line centre. likely looking for something similar to Steve Begin.
Chris Gratton – Great size and good on faceoffs but speed of the game may be too much for Gratton. Career may be over.
Blair Betts – Quietly he could fit in on several teams. Little skill but can win draws, kill penalties, works hard and knows his role. Has decent size. Would be a fine pickup for the Oilers. The Avs could use the sandpaper. Jersey is a possibility as a replacement for Madden.
Stephane Yelle – Grizzled vet will probably latch onto a contender like Peca.
Joel Lundqvist – Unlike the Sedins who are near equals, Joel is nowhere near the star his twin Hendrik is. He may join his brother in NY or one of the two team Swedens (Van or Det).
Brendan Morrison – Another long in the tooth centre who’s best days are well behind him. Time may be up for this veteran.
Jason Williams – Skilled forward would add depth but one of those guys who is good in the AHL but may not be good enough consistently in the NHL. Someone will grab him. Ottawa had interest once.
Radek Bonk – Former top 3 pick, Bonk has size and can win draws. But he can no longer provide any offence. But, Bonk could help a few teams. Atlanta needs help on draws. Tampa maybe to add depth to the bottom 6 forwards.
Jeremy Roenick – Time for JR to begin his career as an Analyst.
Wing
Alex Tanguay – Arguably the best free agent left. Can score a point a game pace, is in his prime and has plenty of experience including a cup ring. Whomever lost out of Gaborik, Cammellari, Havlat will be calling for Tanguay. He could return to Colorado. Maybe Dallas will take a run. The Kings need scoring help. Wouldnt he be a nice fit for that young team.
Alex Kovalev – Magic hands is still available and here a team would get a terrific one on one player. He will be costly. likely over 4 mil per. He would be a great fit on the young Oilers but they are waiting on Heatley. Only a paycut would bring him back to Montreal. He could join Ovechkin in Wash with a paycut as well. He could go to NY…..to the Isles and play with Tavares.
Miro Satan: His NHL career is likely finished but he may go back to Europe and train to be part of Slovakia’s entry at the Olympics.
Max Afinogenov – Another great one on one player. He seems poised to take big money in the KHL. He could however take a big discounted 1 year deal in the NHL and try and rejuvenate his career. He could, like Kovalev, do so beside Tavares in NY. He could also flank Lecavalier in TB as they need scoring depth.
Kyle Calder – A player poised to being a casualty like Anson Carter was a couple of years ago. If he doesnt take whatever contract he is offered, he will be playing in the KHL or not at all.
Ales Kotalik – A really underrated player. has good size and a great shot but isnt exactly a finisher. A very useful support scorer for any team. If they can clear cap space, the Flames would be a nice fit as they need depth on the wings behind Iginla. If the Wings clear up space too, he would be an excellent fit as well.
Petr Sykora – Can still score 20 plus goals. Maybe he’ll join his former teammate Jason Arnott in Nashville if they cant lure Radulov back.
Rob Niedermayer – Big grinding checking winger will likely find himself back in Anaheim with brother Scott. If not, He is what the Oilers could use. leadership, grit, size. But teams out east would like him too, but it is likely he stays West. He would be a nice vet for a young team like the Blues or Hawks.
Todd Bertuzzi – Still a presence with his size and has good hands but is a bit slow, is poor defensively and can be undiciplined. Another discounted contract could bring him back to Calgary. Could he play for Burke…again?
PJ Axelsson – A super smart defensive player. Has had success with Alfie in Ottawa playing internationally. Yet another who could join the team sweden contingent in Van or Det. Would be a nice checker and leader down in Tampa. There will be interest. Maybe Jersey?
Mike Grier – Big grinding winger, a return to Edmonton may be what both parties need. Buffalo is an option as well.
Taylor Pyatt – A big bodied winger, someone a team like Montreal could use. Anyone really over 6 feet would be a presence with the Habs. After the death of his finacee, maybe time off though is what Pyatt will take before resuming his career.
Dan Hinote – Grinding 4th liner. Could see him going back to Colorado
Travis Moen – Another former Burke player. Could see him join the Leafs. Would help the PK dept.
Tom Kostopoulos – ticketed to the minors or Europe
Dean McAmmond – Retirement. especially after all those concussions.
Stephane Veilleux – A good sized winger, would be a nice fit in Montreal.
Brendan Shanahan – Shanny may return to Jersey. Or why not the Isles for his experience?
Brian McGrattan – recovering in rehab but may resume his career and his role as policeman.
Brad May – Likely headed for retirement but could get one more crack due to his willingness to play it tough.
Andrew Peters – Another tough guy, May be needed in Washington to protect their stars.
Goal
Manny Fernandez – A possible option to backup Price in Montreal but they need a home for
Halak first. He is a very solid veteran and proved he can play 25 games or so and be really efficient. Maybe the Hawks if he comes cheap?
Martin Biron – Starting jobs are few and far between now. LA is an option. They’re the only team really looking for a starter.
Manny Legace – retirement.
Martin Gerber – Would be a good backup. Would fit in nice back in Anaheim if they could moe Giguere.
Antero Nittymaki – Finland and maybe there can earn a spot at the Olympics
Brent Johnson – Another experienced backup will likely find a job somewhere. Maybe Dallas behind Turco? SJ needs a backup. Jersey?
Andrew Raycroft – Likely to be the next Marc Denis. Minor league goalie.
Kevin Weekes – A very solid veteran backup. Montreal should look at him as he fits that role behind Price better than Halak.
Defence
Sergei Zubov – Old, but may be the biggest impact blueliner left. His skill and saavy will help many teams. The Blues are looking for a PP QB. A return to the Stars though seems the likeliest scenario.
Derek Morris – Morris would be a fine fit for the Sabres. They need a replacement for Spacek who played a ton. Morris isnt as prolific offensively but can really skate and adds grit.
Paul Mara – A big body who can mix it up, add some skill and lots of size. A 3rd pair blueliner, could help a few teams like Nashville, Colorado and Atlanta.
Nick Boynton – A team like Jersey, looking for defence depth could use a guy like Boynton who can play 20 minutes, move the puck ok and play with some edge. All depends on the price. The Ducks may be interested in his grit with Pronger gone.
Francois Beauchemin – A minute muncher. Is arguably the most attractive defenceman available. Still in his prime, can contribute some offence, but adds some grit and 25-30 minutes a night of solid play. Obviously the Burke connection is there. The French connection in Montreal but he sure would look good in Pittsburgh as a missing link on D provided they clear some cap space. Washington too with a couple of salary dumps would welcome him as well.
Phillip Boucher – won his cup, could retire. Looks too slow for today’s NHL
Greg Devries – Gritty veteran may be a cheap option to replace Scuderi/Gill.
Darryl Sydor – might be time to hang them up for the classy veteran.
Kyle Maclaren – Spent last year in minors due to cap reasons but could be back in teh NHL next year. Is big and tough. Certainly an option for the champs who lost Gill. The Rangers need some toughness. Habs certainly need to get tougher. The Thrashers with Exelby gone may take a look.
Denis Gauthier – Would be a nice fit in MTL to add a big physical element sorely missing in their lineup.
Dimitri Kalinin – May be destined for the KHL
Francis Bouillon – depth blueliner, will likely be a camp invitee.
Mathieu Dandenault – Experienced swing man would make a fine 21st roster player. Could find himself back with the Wings if he came cheap.
Martin Skoula – Europe. Again, training for the Olympics perhaps.
Andrew Alberts – A team like the Ducks, who lost Pronger, will be interested in his size.
Dennis Seidenberg – Showed shot blocking prowess and may be brought in to play on the 3rd defence pair. Maybe Vancouver as they seek players to makeup the lost minutes with Ohlund gone. The Champs are in need of defence depth. The Rangers too are looking for help in their own end. As are others like the Habs.
Marc Andre Bergeron – This guy can score. Has a great point shot. He is small and not the best defensively but would be a solid PP specialist. The Jackets should make a call. That is exactly what they need. The Avs as well could use a shooter. The Canucks as well, but they may want a more well rounded Dman.
Teppo Numminen – Retirement but he may want to play in the Olympics.
Kurtis Foster – Still young, but coming off serious injury. Will likely have to walk on and earn a job somewhere or get conditioning in the minors.
Ossi Vaananen – going to Europe is the likeliest scenario.
Shane Hnidy – Gritty depth defenceman will probably earn a job somewhere in camp.
Chris Chelios – Wants to play another year but it wont be in Detroit. A return to Chicago would be very interesting. Or another original 6 team like Boston. Out of respect, he should find work somewhere.
There could be plenty of players here squeezed out of the league but while the best of the best available have been signed already, there are still a few gems available through free agency.
Penguins may target Jam McKee, who was bought out this week. He was to make $4 million, but the Pens could probably get him for $2 now that he's been bought out.
Hey remember this:
What about Francios Beauchemin to Vancouver? Vancouver still has lots of money available, and Beauchemin for about 4 million a year over a 4 or 5 year deal would seem fair.
That would really put Vancouver right up there with the best teams in the league. They have very good depth upfront, would have an excellent defense, and a franchise goalie.
This team is close. Truly is.
Beauchemin and Samuelsson were the 2 players I thought Vancouver should target. They already have done it once, why not again.
First off,if I'm not mistaken Marc-André Bergeron re-signed with the wild and Manny Malholtra with Columbus.As a sens fan,its obvious that Heatley will not be back,we apparently have around 4 mil to spare on free agency.We will need to find a way to replace Heatley's scoring so here's a thought:trade Jason Smith for a pick(free's 2.5 mil) and sign Alex Tanguay to a 4-5 year deal worth 4-5 mil a year.That way,Heatley can sit out and we wont miss his scoring that much and that way it gives Murray time to wait and make the right deal.Maybe also give a shot at Alexandre Giroux who played for the Hull olympiques and loves the region.
Bring Grier to the Habs..he would want to play with his ole buddy the Rock.
Malhotra is the option for a big center they need – wins a lot of faceoffs too.
I want to say my disapointment with that hack Komisarek – what a trater.
The Leafs are interested in Beauchemin and Malhotra. Interest in Kaberle has cooled for the time being.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toronto
Bru, where you been? Congrats to your Penguins on their Stanley Cup title.
Last year I said that Malkin and Crosby will eventually lead to a championship. There you go.
Sundin should have taken 2 years 20 million while he had the chance.
Thanks! So ecstatic! Was choked after terrible, terrible bounces in Games 1 and 2 and brutal momentum swinging penalties in Game 5, but Games 6 and 7 were fantastic. It's seriously one of the all-time greatest wins I think, given all the stats against going down 2-0, and 3-2, and playing Game 7 on the road, etc… and when Sid went down…. epic win. Talbot, what a guy.
Scuderi, love him. Do you remember me saying how I prefer him to Mike Komisarek? Hey Habs fans… If you're reading this, I really don't have to say anything, because the proof to my claims is swimming in Mario's pool.
I've had some fun reading a few of my old articles on Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Fleury, the Penguins, the East vs West, etc. Funny stuff. I used to always say 2010 would be the year (this was in Malkin's rookie season), but they made the Finals a year sooner than expected and the will of Crosby is just indomitable.
I really did think they'd win one in 2010, but now they might do it as repeat champs! So sweet. Also love that Detroit's on the LOSING end for once (again).
For Pens, Great signings of Guerin and Fedotenko. If only Eaton/Dupuis's contracts were better (or they were traded), we'd be in great shape to pick up a Beauchemin or McKee. Now we may settle for a DeVries or something now that Scuderi's gone. That's right I remember now, I used to say Scuderi was one of the most underrated (if not THE most underrated) defensive defensemen in the entire NHL. His jump from 750K to $3.4 mil and a Cup ring playing against the top in the NHL should go some ways to justifying that. But I think Kings slightly overpaid for him (Pens were only offering $2 mil, maybe would've gone as high as $2.35), as did the Leafs for Komisarek methinks.
If you get a chance, re-read my article which I have linked below. Interesting how much of what I said was accurate, and how much changed and couldn't be predicted, ie. Hossa and Malone not re-signing, though Orpik does, Feds and Satan signing, and trade of Whitney (which was foreseeable) for Kunitz and picking up of Guerin. I love seeing how I often use those beautiful conditionals (if no Malone, then yes Oprik, then yada yada) which now are proved true. Love my faith in Scuderi and Letang, and even Gill as of last year. Remember all that? You were one of the first defending him. Damn cheap signing for Montreal all things considered. Crosby will embarass him, watch.
Love what the Leafs are doing. Look at the roster difference from 2-3 years ago. Don't like the Komisarek signing at that price. If only you could trade Blake and Finger somehow over the next 2 seasons… trade deadline acquisition for Blake could be pulled off.
You guys also have a few UFAs next year in Stajan, Poni and Stempniak… interesting rebuiling times ahead for Leafs… in serious need of elite talent ala Hawks, Kings, Lightning, Islanders…. you know what I mean? Hawks are the new Pens (as I predicted). Lightning are back on their way up, probably not this season, but in 2, so long as their goaltending is good and their D strengthens up a bit (Hedman and Ohlund? is it enough?). But point is they have their Stamkos and Hedmans, Kings have their elite D core they're building, Islanders have a plethora of forwards on the rise. These teams, with good management, could become Cup contenders (and in Hawks case already are) in the next 5 years (Islanders maybe a bit longer). Neither the Leafs nor my loveable enemy (though by no means a rival as they are nowhere near the same class) Canucks have such eliteness forthcoming. Somehow, Burke has to pull some magic, but the winds seem to be changing favourably.
Anyways, as for the Penguins, did you know they have $21.4 million locked up for 3 centers, and $14 million for the remaining 10 forwards? (Kunitz, Fedotenko, Cooke, Dupuis, Guerin, Talbot, Kennedy, Adams, Rupp, Godard). That's pretty interesting, isn't it? As long as they keep winning and being successful, players will continue coming and taking pay cuts (Recchi, Sykora, Satan, Fedotenko, NTC waived: Roberts, Laraque, Guerin) to play with those three young, yet expensive, centers, and the Pens will have a chance to build a true dynasty.
I don't want my wings to go out an over pay for anyone, nor do I think they'll get a real big difference maker but I would love to see them sign Malhotra to a deal. He's young, and a very good PK which was an OBVIOUS problem this year in the playoffs, especailly against PIT. Not to mention Maltby and Drapper are getting pretty old an a replacement wouldn't hurt. Malhotra also is very good at faceoffs an redwings love puck possession so he should be a valuable asset just for that alone.
I know they have Helm but god, for how much he hits, an how hard he skates he is only like 5'10 180 or something. An produces most his offense through his hustle an hard work rather than actual skills.
Rangers need Sundin, Sundin needs the Rangers. With Gomez no longer on the payroll the Rangers can now afford to pay his salary. Also with the plethera of young talent they have developing in the minors, Sundin's one year contract works out perfectly for everyone. Do you agree?
Nice I wouldn't mind signing both. According to that article, Nonis said the Leafs are eyeing 12 free agents who haven't been signed yet.
welcome back BruMagnus,it's been too long! great to hear from you again! congratulations to to you and your penguins! now stick around for awhile!
Naw, I'll just come and spout off some predictions, then let them brew like a fine wine, until ripe. Then I return for the glory.