Free Agents

[runthemover 40]

Here's a few notable (in my mind) free agents either by current or former status. Some are top tier. Some are second tier. Some are probably somewhat low but used to be high. Others might retire.Feel free to add to this list / remind me who I'm forgetting about (I used TSN's team by team list as a basis).Teemu Selanne, Bobby Holik, Curtis Joseph, Daymond Langkow, Yanic Perreault, John-Michael Liles, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Dominik Hasek, Brad Stuart, Rob Blake, Pavol Demitra, Miroslav Satan, Sean Avery, Brendan Shanahan, Martin Straka, Wade Redden, Marian Hossa, Ryan Malone, Brooks Orpik, Brian Campbell, Mats Sundin, Markus Naslund, Sergei Fedorov, Cristobal Huet, Olaf KolzigObviously Hossa is the top guy. Will he stick around in Pittsburgh? If not, who's going to make a serious run at him?Mats isn't too far behind Hossa but you'd think after refusing to be traded, he'd stick around.As far as the Sharks go, I suppose signing Campbell is a good idea but obviously his playoff performance left something to be desired. I'd like to see if they go after Redden, but he's probably staying in O-town. They probably need their coach first and need to decide if they want to keep Marleau (I think they should) who has a no-trade clause going into effect at the end of this month.One thing about this list is that I don't see many guys that I really say, "WOW. I want that guy for my favourite team."

[strategy 4]

As far as the Sharks go, I suppose signing Campbell is a good idea but obviously his playoff performance left something to be desired.

if they have the cap room, they'd be pretty dumb not to re-up him.the blues pretty much have to re-sign ryan johnson for being your standard invaluable playoff contributor guy. I don't know the payroll situation, but the rest of the UFAs seem pretty marginal. all of the RFAs will be re-signed.

[Zach6668 513]

The word I'm hearing is that Hossa is really happy in Pittsburgh, and wants to stay. However, no one knows how serious this desire is when the subject of money comes up, because the Pens will have a VERY hard time paying him what he wants and what he's worth, while keeping the rest of the roster as deep as it is now.It'll be next to impossible for the Pens to sign Hossa and Malone, especially if either of them are still FAs by the 1st, because teams will make runs for them with big money.I'm 50/50 on Orpik. He played well in the playoffs, and is really our most physical defensemen, so it'd hurt to lose him, unless we found a suitable replacement (and there aren't many in the FA list).

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

Hossa could make 10 mill easy this season. The only players anywhere near his level are old and unlikely to sign anywhere but their current team (Selanne, Sakic, Sundin).

[Fenxis 99]

I'd like to see if they go after Redden, but he's probably staying in O-town.

Doubtful.. he's looking in the area of 6.5 mill and Ottawa offered 3.5 mill (lowball offer, I agree, but a bit of payback for is current performance).edit: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/06/06/redden_sens_over/Other notable UFAs from Ottawa who might not be resigned due to differences in salary expectations:Cory StillmanChris KellyMike CommodoreI think Murray wants Stillman and Commodore to stay but they won't be handing out discounts until the locker room is cleaned up / coach is hired. Kelly is just pricing himself out of his role (and is fairly replaceable with farm players).

[Fenxis 99]

The word I'm hearing is that Hossa is really happy in Pittsburgh, and wants to stay. However, no one knows how serious this desire is when the subject of money comes up, because the Pens will have a VERY hard time paying him what he wants and what he's worth, while keeping the rest of the roster as deep as it is now.

Hossa has already made millions from the game (and wants to win the cup). And let's be honest -- I doubt there is any competitive team (ie one that could compete for the cup) out there that could afford to pay him $10 mill (maybe ~$7-8 mill) without destroying their salary structure. It's very possible that Hossa stays in Pittsburgh for 6-7m.

[SBriand 4]

The Wings need to sign Brad Stuart. He fit in very well and both him and Kronwall agree that they were very comfortable with each other and enjoy being line mates. It was nice to have a physical D line to compliment the Lidstrom/Rafalski line.

[serge 904]

Hossa has already made millions from the game (and wants to win the cup). And let's be honest -- I doubt there is any competitive team (ie one that could compete for the cup) out there that could afford to pay him $10 mill (maybe ~$7-8 mill) without destroying their salary structure. It's very possible that Hossa stays in Pittsburgh for 6-7m.

I am in the camp that there is no way in hell that Hossa is in Pittsburgh...Unless Malkin isnt signed, which I dont see happening..Hossa will not sign any contract that isnt at least 3 years..So here is how 2009-2010 look...So next year you have Crosby $8.7 million you will have Malkin $8 mill plus Hossa $7 mill plus Gonchar $5.5 Fleury $4 mill plus Whitney $3.5 millThen you have guys like Staal,Talbot,Kennedy,Malone,Letang..Who are all RFA and will demand a raise.. Thats almost $38 million on 6 players..How are you going to sign another 20 players for $12 million??Not happening...

[strategy 4]

The Wings need to sign Brad Stuart. He fit in very well and both him and Kronwall agree that they were very comfortable with each other and enjoy being line mates. It was nice to have a physical D line to compliment the Lidstrom/Rafalski line.

pls tell me lidstrom is retiring

[serge 904]

Leafs make a huge signing:Tim Stapleton C...Last played in the Finnish League

[SBriand 4]

pls tell me lidstrom is retiring

Oh I am so sorry but he signed an extension in the middle of the season

[Whiter Sr 0]

Hossa has already made millions from the game (and wants to win the cup). And let's be honest -- I doubt there is any competitive team (ie one that could compete for the cup) out there that could afford to pay him $10 mill (maybe ~$7-8 mill) without destroying their salary structure. It's very possible that Hossa stays in Pittsburgh for 6-7m.

I don't know him personally but I can't imagine winning the cup is high on most europeans list. I think he will be about the $$. Even if they could get him for 6-7 Mil why would you sign him unless you are willing to lose Fleury or Malkin. As Pitt will not be able to sign all 3 of them.

[serge 904]

I don't know him personally but I can't imagine winning the cup is high on most europeans list. I think he will be about the $$. Even if they could get him for 6-7 Mil why would you sign him unless you are willing to lose Fleury or Malkin. As Pitt will not be able to sign all 3 of them.

Of course...Europeans in general dont really care..If you offered Malkin and Hossa $10 million to go play in Russia, they drop the Penguins in a heartbeat..Its the truth.

[Fenxis 99]

I don't know him personally but I can't imagine winning the cup is high on most europeans list. I think he will be about the $$. Even if they could get him for 6-7 Mil why would you sign him unless you are willing to lose Fleury or Malkin. As Pitt will not be able to sign all 3 of them.

If Hossa was about the money he would have resigned in Atlanta. And I think Detroit winning the cup kind of debunks that whole "euros don't want to win the cup" stereotype.

[strategy 4]

Oh I am so sorry but he signed an extension in the middle of the season

this is a pretty big disappointment. the guy shouldn't be allowed to play hockey anymore.

[runthemover 40]

Of course...Europeans in general dont really care..

If the NHL were based in Russia, the same thing would be said about Canadians and Americans so I don't take much stock in this. They're playing away from home so why wouldn't they consider going back?But, I think most players if offered the same or comparable money would play in the NHL because of the competition, the chance for the cup, and because of the next contract.Furthermore, I don't think Hossa and Malkin would be the only ones to take $10 million from a Russian team. We'd see plenty of top Canadian and American players take that.

[Zach6668 513]

Of course...Europeans in general dont really care..If you offered Malkin and Hossa $10 million to go play in Russia, they drop the Penguins in a heartbeat..Its the truth.

You're completely incorrect.Don't you remember what Malkin went through just to get to the NHL to make 3-4 million? He could have EASILY gotten much much more money in Russia, but instead he flees the country in the middle of the night? Yeah, he's got no heart, no desire. Just going after the money, IMO.Hossa, as well, has said on numerous occasions that he wants to win. I still wouldn't expect him to take a huge paycut to stay in Pittsburgh, but I don't think it's a super long shot. The Pens CAN fit him, and everyone else under the cap in 2009-2010. I've done the math before, in the Pens thread. If it came down to it, the Pens sign Malkin and Hossa, and lose Whitney's $4M of awful defense and anemic offense. Someone will be happy to take him off our hands because he has a good reputation throughout the league for some reason, and he's still young. He just makes too much for his play.Gonchar will be in the last year of his deal, the season after next, as well, and can be moved at the deadline or whatever, if we need to stay under the cap, or something like that.Staal will probably get a 3 or 4 year deal at 3 M per. Malone, if we can resign him should get 3-4 M per year. Fleury's a bit of a question mark in my mind, as he proved his value in the playoffs, so he's going to cost a lot. Malkin will get 8-8.5 MThe rest of our roster will be filled with cheaper players from WBS, and role guys that just come cheap.I've done the math before, and it CAN work, but it won't be easy, and will require Hossa to make some sacrifices, so that's up to him.The Pens have stated numerous times that they will spend up to the cap level. It's estimated to be $56M next year, and I'm sure it'll go up the year after, which is only great for the Pens if we get everyone locked up right now under the 56M cap.

[digitalmonkey 929]

MontrealUFAMark Streit - I wasn't particularly impressed with his performance during the playoffs. Perhaps this will allow us to sign him for a little less. His versatility and offensive ability almost makes him a must sign (depending on the cost of course). Michael Ryder - I'd love to see the Habs sign him cheaply and get 30 goals out of him but I'm sure he'll end up somewhere like Tampa or Toronto.Bryan Smolinski - I doubt he'll be offered a contract. The Habs will look for Lapierre or Chipchura to fill his role.Patrice Brisebois - It took guts for him to come back but it's time to say goodbye for good.RFAAndrei Kostitsyn - He'll get Ryder's money.Mikhail Grabovski - I think the Habs will look to sign him for only a year or two (or trade him) so they can see if he's got what it takes to stick in this league.Maxim Lapierre - I think he'll get around $900K - $1M per for 3 years.Corey Locke - Another season another $500KJosh Gorges - I don't really know where Gorges fits in. I get the feeling he's a filler until the young(er) d-men graduate.Ryan O'Byrne - I predict $600K to $750K for each of the next 3 years.Jaroslav Halak - I hope Gainey can sign him for at least 3 years at a maximum of $750K per. That's a hefty raise from last season.

[gruven 530]

Of course...Europeans in general dont really care..If you offered Malkin and Hossa $10 million to go play in Russia, they drop the Penguins in a heartbeat..Its the truth.

That's why Mats 'I just want to stay in Toronto' Sundin will be leaving the leafs in the next few weeks for the highest bidder.

[serge 904]

MontrealUFAMark Streit - I wasn't particularly impressed with his performance during the playoffs. Perhaps this will allow us to sign him for a little less. His versatility and offensive ability almost makes him a must sign (depending on the cost of course). Michael Ryder - I'd love to see the Habs sign him cheaply and get 30 goals out of him but I'm sure he'll end up somewhere like Tampa or Toronto.Bryan Smolinski - I doubt he'll be offered a contract. The Habs will look for Lapierre or Chipchura to fill his role.Patrice Brisebois - It took guts for him to come back but it's time to say goodbye for good.RFAAndrei Kostitsyn - He'll get Ryder's money.Mikhail Grabovski - I think the Habs will look to sign him for only a year or two (or trade him) so they can see if he's got what it takes to stick in this league.Maxim Lapierre - I think he'll get around $900K - $1M per for 3 years.Corey Locke - Another season another $500KJosh Gorges - I don't really know where Gorges fits in. I get the feeling he's a filler until the young(er) d-men graduate.Ryan O'Byrne - I predict $600K to $750K for each of the next 3 years.Jaroslav Halak - I hope Gainey can sign him for at least 3 years at a maximum of $750K per. That's a hefty raise from last season.

Good analysis I think..Do you think they will extend Kovalev during the year or let him play it out and decide at the end of the year?

[digitalmonkey 929]

Good analysis I think..Do you think they will extend Kovalev during the year or let him play it out and decide at the end of the year?

I think they'll watch Kovalev closely and see if he puts forth the same effort as he did this season.

[serge 904]

The top 12 RFA's according to TSN..with writeups...I hope we see some movement with these players this year..http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=10453&am...=topRelated_nhl

[GeneralGeeWhiz 0]

Hossa and Campbell. One time Sharks!Obv Hossa won't sign with us, but hopefully we can resign Campbell

[digitalmonkey 929]

MontrealUFAMark Streit - I wasn't particularly impressed with his performance during the playoffs. Perhaps this will allow us to sign him for a little less. His versatility and offensive ability almost makes him a must sign (depending on the cost of course). Michael Ryder - I'd love to see the Habs sign him cheaply and get 30 goals out of him but I'm sure he'll end up somewhere like Tampa or Toronto.Bryan Smolinski - I doubt he'll be offered a contract. The Habs will look for Lapierre or Chipchura to fill his role.Patrice Brisebois - It took guts for him to come back but it's time to say goodbye for good.RFAAndrei Kostitsyn - He'll get Ryder's money.Mikhail Grabovski - I think the Habs will look to sign him for only a year or two (or trade him) so they can see if he's got what it takes to stick in this league.Maxim Lapierre - I think he'll get around $900K - $1M per for 3 years.Corey Locke - Another season another $500KJosh Gorges - I don't really know where Gorges fits in. I get the feeling he's a filler until the young(er) d-men graduate.Ryan O'Byrne - I predict $600K to $750K for each of the next 3 years.Jaroslav Halak - I hope Gainey can sign him for at least 3 years at a maximum of $750K per. That's a hefty raise from last season.

Lapierre signed a two-year deal. He'll make $575,000 the first year and $800,000 the second. Excellent job Mr. Gainey!

[serge 904]

The Mustangs are glad...Gainey probably overpaid slightly