Devil Fan Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=160531&hubname=nhl Canadian Press 3/29/2006 5:46:52 PM The NHL playoffs may feel like the calm before the storm this year as likely the biggest crop ever of unrestricted free agents hits the market in July. GMs and agents will be running up phone bills like never before. Liberalized free agency in the new CBA saw the age drop from 31 to 29 for unrestricted free agents this summer. It drops even lower to 28 in July 2007 and finally 27, where it will stay, in July 2008. ''I think with this CBA, we're all going to work hard at keeping our core, but there's going to be a lot of movement,'' Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland said Wednesday. Related Info Huet to decide on future after the season Holland points to the NFL, another salary cap league, where it's in the off-season that teams reshape their rosters. ''One of the best things you can have in this system is flexibility,'' added Holland. ''If things don't work out for you in one year, you'd like to be able to have contracts expire and be ready to make some changes.'' The exact number of free agents won't be known until July 1 depending on how many players don't have their option years picked up or how many more re-sign instead of testing the waters. But as of right now, it's an impressive group, led up front by the likes of Joe Sakic, Doug Weight, Patrik Elias, Jason Arnott, Brendan Shanahan, Teemu Selanne, Sergei Samsonov, Mark Parrish, Anson Carter, Michael Peca, Peter Bondra, Marc Savard, Viktor Kozlov, Eric Lindros, Jason Allison, Jeff Halpern, Alyn McCauley and the Rangers' Czech trio of Martin Straka, Petr Sykora and Martin Rucinsky. And that's just the tip of the iceberg among the forwards. An all-star group of blue-liners is slated for unrestricted free agency as of now, led by Nicklas Lidstrom, Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Rob Blake, Ed Jovanovski, Marek Zidlicky and Bryan McCabe, followed by a solid group behind them of Jay McKee, Willie Mitchell, Pavel Kubina, Ruslan Salei, Teppo Numminen, Frantisek Kaberle, Jaroslav Spacek, Hal Gill, Joe Corvo, Filip Kuba, Francis Bouillon, Danny Markov, Brian Pothier, Kim Johnsson, Brendan Witt and Nolan Baumgartner. Need a goalie? Look no further than Martin Gerber, Cristobal Huet, Dominik Hasek (if he doesn't retire), Dwayne Roloson, John Grahame, Manny Legace, Curtis Joseph and Chris Osgood. The question is how many of these players will reach July 1 without re-signing? ''If I've seen a trend, teams have been much more pro-active to try to negotiate so that it doesn't become an issue in July - more than I've seen in the past,'' said veteran agent Don Meehan, whose firm Newport Sports represents more than 100 NHLers. Meehan has already removed some of his big names from the potential market. San Jose goalie Evgeni Nabokov and Los Angeles star defenceman Mattias Norstrom re-signed big deals earlier this season instead of choosing free agency this summer. They weren't the only ones. Martin Brodeur, Marty Turco, Olaf Kolzig, Saku Koivu, P.J. Axelsson, Shawn Bates, Olli Jokinen, Phillipe Boucher, Chris Gratton, Manny Fernandez, Denis Gauthier, Derek Morris, Vesa Toskala, Mikael Samuelsson and Tomas Kaberle are among those who also re-signed this season and avoided unrestricted free agency. Meehan and Holland have already met concerning Lidstrom, the three-time Norris Trophy winner en route to a fourth thanks to a sensational season. ''Don and I talked briefly, we have not exchanged numbers, and I'm not sure if we'll address it now before the playoffs or wait until the conclusion of the playoffs,'' said Holland. ''Nick's been here since 1991 and I'd like to think that he wants to be back here. We've had a great relationship and I don't think we've had any real issues in getting contracts done in the past. ''In my mind Nick is the best defenceman in the game and I think he should win the Norris Trophy this year. So we want to keep him.'' Both of Holland's goalies, Legace and Osgood, will be unrestricted as well. ''Both have played well for us,'' said Holland. ''Right now my feeling is that I'll make a pitch to try and re-sign them. I'm not going to bother them going into the playoffs, but at the conclusion of the playoffs, we'll sit down and talk.'' Look for Redden to re-sign with the Senators before July 1, as well as Sakic with the Avalanche and Huet with the Canadiens. And there will be others as well. June may be a busy month for that reason, as clubs try to re-sign potential unrestricted free agents before they hit the market. Holland has a dozen or so in total. ''Obviously we had a really good year and a lot of them we want back,'' he said. ''But at the same time I don't know if we'll be able to afford everybody because there may be a better market place out there for some of them.'' And that's the exciting part for players, who for years had to wait until they were 31 to try it out the market. ''It's one of the favourable parts of the CBA for the players,'' said Meehan. ''It will generate more movement and generate more options.'' There are also names on the free-agent list that maybe people have forgotten. Defenceman Kenny Jonsson played in Sweden this season while his rights were owned by the Islanders but he'll be unrestricted July 1. Talented forward Alexander Morozov played in his native Russia and he, too, will be unrestricted this summer after deciding not to play for Pittsburgh this year. Note: Players of any age with eight accrued seasons under their belt can also qualify for unrestricted free agency this summer. That means anyone who was 18 when they started their NHL career and whose contract runs out this summer is an unrestricted free agent at 26 years old. Accrued seasons, generally, mean seasons of 40 or more games. The lockout season counts as an accrued season. In 2007 and beyond the criteria drops to seven accrued seasons meaning players as young as 25 will be eligible for unrestricted status if they started at 18. The top names who remain slated for unrestricted free agency as of Wednesday: FORWARDS First star: Joe Sakic, Colorado Doug Weight, Carolina Patrik Elias, New Jersey Jason Arnott, Dallas Sergei Samsonov, Edmonton Brendan Shananan, Detroit Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Second star: Anson Carter, Vancouver Petr Sykora, N.Y. Rangers Martin Rucinsky, N.Y. Rangers Martin Straka, N.Y. Rangers Mark Parrish, Los Angeles Viktor Kozlov, New Jersey Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey Eric Lindros, Toronto Jason Allison, Toronto Alyn McCauley, San Jose Matt Cullen, Carolina Peter Bondra, Atlanta Alexei Morozov, Pittsburgh Third star: Jeremy Roenick, Los Angeles Michael Peca, Edmonton Jeff Friesen, Anaheim Steve Rucchin, N.Y. Rangers Radek Dvorak, Edmonton Stephane Yelle, Calgary Mike Grier, Buffalo Jeff Halpern, Washington Dallas Drake, St. Louis Jan Hrdina, Columbus Mike Sillinger, Nashville Luc Robitaille, Los Angeles Greg Johnson, Nashville Dean McAmmond, St. Louis Scott Mellanby, Atlanta Scott Young, St. Louis Marc Chouinard, Minnesota Yanic Perreault, Nashville Geoff Sanderson, Phoenix David Vyborny, Columbus Chad Kilger, Toronto Mike Leclerc, Calgary Eric Daze, Chicago Fernando Pisani, Edmonton Jan Bulis, Montreal Oleg Kvasha, N.Y. Islanders Petr Cajanek, St. Louis Fourth-liners: Donald Brashear, Philadelphia Vaclav Varada, Ottawa Brad Isbister, Boston Georges Laraques, Edmonton Marty Reasoner, Boston Dan Hinote, Colorado Shean Donovan, Calgary Jarkko Ruutu, Vancouver Niklas Sundstrom, Montreal Eric Boulton, Atlanta Ronald Petrovicky, Atlanta Richard Park, Vancouver Manny Malhora, Columbus DEFENCE First star: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Rob Blake, Colorado Zdeno Chara, Ottawa Wade Redden, Ottawa Marek Zidlicky, Nashville Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver Bryan McCabe, Toronto Second star: Willie Mitchell, Dallas Pavel Kubina, Tampa Bay Jaroslav Spacek, Edmonton Joe Corvo, Los Angeles Danny Markov, Nashville Brian Pothier, Ottawa Kim Johnsson, Philadelphia Nolan Baumgartner, Vancouver Brendan Witt, Nashville Hal Gill, Boston Jay McKee, Buffalo Kenny Jonsson, N.Y. Islanders Third star: Brian Leetch, Boston Keith Carney, Vancouver Ruslan Salei, Anaheim Teppo Numminen, Buffalo Frantisek Kaberle, Carolina Glen Wesley, Carolina arlis Skrastins, Colorado Filip Kuba, Minnesota Francis Bouillon, Montreal Eric Desjardins, Philadelphia Niclas Havelid, Atlanta Andreas Lilja, Detroit Ken Klee, New Jersey Tom Poti, N.Y. Rangers Aki Berg, Toronto Alexander Khavanov, Toronto Seventh defencemen: Jiri Slegr, Boston Cale Hulse, Calgary Chris Chelios, Detroit Jason Woolley, Detroit Dick Tarnstrom, Pittsburgh Daniel Tjarnqvist, Minnesota Andrei Zyuzin, Minnesota Todd Simpson, Montreal Joel Bouchard, N.Y. Islanders Luke Richardson, Toronto Sean Brown, Vancouver Eric Weinrich, Vancouver GOAL Dominik Hasek, Ottawa Curtis Joseph, Phoenix Martin Gerber, Carolina Cristobal Huet, Montreal Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton John Grahame, Tampa Bay Manny Legace, Detroit Brian Boucher, Calgary Chris Osgood, Detroit Brent Johnson, Washington Patrick Lalime, St. Louis Martin Prusek, Columbus Wade Flaherty, Vancouver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devils26 Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 I know its very unlikely, but as your sig says above, let's reunite the A line. They are all UFA. Just a crazy thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fan Posted March 30, 2006 Author Share Posted March 30, 2006 I know its very unlikely, but as your sig says above, let's reunite the A line. They are all UFA.Just a crazy thought. Imagine this: A-line gomez-Gionta-Mogilny Two dangerous scoring lines with speed and skills. Arnott can be a lethal power-play point man as the Devils struggle in this area. As for the defense, I hope Mitchell will return and hopefully, one of the two, Lidstrom or Chara, would wear a Devil uniform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge18 Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 A guy like Parrish could be huge for this team. A natural goal scorer who lives around the net and plays the RW. Defensively responsable, good skater, and knows how to play in the eastern confrence. Yes he is streaky, but we are in desperate need of guys that can put the puck in the net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insanity_gallops Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 (edited) Devils won't be adding a big-name defenseman, so that fantasy can be put to bed. If anything, they'll pick up someone like Lilja or Corvo. White-Martin is our shutdown pairing now (and is it just me, or does Martin look noticeably bigger than before?), Lukowich-Rafalski should hold up fine, and then you've got Hale-_______ (sayanora, Klee). As for forwards, it obviously all hinges on Elias - and whether NJ has to foot the bill for Malakhov & Mogilny. Should there be cap room to spare, I would be ecstatic about signing Parrish (as some may have picked up on from the trade deadline threads) and Chouinard. Edited March 30, 2006 by insanity_gallops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brodeurfanatic Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 I like the idea of reuiniting the A-line. Lou may sort out a cheap deal to sign those 3 players together. Like a deal similar to Kariya-Selanne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insanity_gallops Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 Lou's not reuniting the A-Line. Have we forgotten what Lou said about the A-Line in the 2003 Cup DVD? They were becoming bigger than the team itself, and that's not how the Devils work -- so bye-bye Arnott, bye-bye Sykora. And let's not open up this can of worms again. Maybe I should just bump an old thread about this debate and spare us the trouble, heh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fan Posted March 30, 2006 Author Share Posted March 30, 2006 Lou's not reuniting the A-Line. Have we forgotten what Lou said about the A-Line in the 2003 Cup DVD? They were becoming bigger than the team itself, and that's not how the Devils work -- so bye-bye Arnott, bye-bye Sykora.And let's not open up this can of worms again. Maybe I should just bump an old thread about this debate and spare us the trouble, heh. The same reason why he let Niedermayer goes??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 The same reason why he let Niedermayer goes??? LET?!?! An absolutely ****INSANE**** max contract is LETTING someone go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voros19 Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 (edited) I don't see how people think we would have the money to re-unite the A-Line. Arnott can feasibly run $3-$4 Million, while Sykora will assuredly be making over $2 Million. That's $6 Million while not really addressing any other needs or concerns. Not happening. This team will have in the area of $3 Million to spend depending on what happens to players like Langenbrunner and Brylin. No real major signings will come, unless something drastic happens within the team. Edited March 30, 2006 by Voros19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fan Posted March 30, 2006 Author Share Posted March 30, 2006 I don't see how people think we would have the money to re-unite the A-Line. Arnott can feasibly run $3-$4 Million, while Sykora will assuredly be making over $2 Million. This team will have in the area of $3 Million to spend depending on what happens to players like Langenbrunner and Brylin. No real major signings will come, unless something drastic happens within the team. Kozlov is an UFA as well. Without him, the team can free up 2+ million. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsRule Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 Imagine this:A-line gomez-Gionta-Mogilny Mogilny sucks now. I would love for the A-Line to be reunited on the devils but it wont happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fan Posted March 30, 2006 Author Share Posted March 30, 2006 Mogilny sucks now. I would love for the A-Line to be reunited on the devils but it wont happen. He sucks compare to his prime, but I think he can contribute some offense. I personally think he is a better player than Kozlov. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge18 Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 The same reason why he let Niedermayer goes??? I dont see offering a UFA the max contract letting him go, but to each his own. The situation with the A line was quite different in how Sykora and Arnott especially pouted about the line breaking up instead of trying to make the best of their new lines and still working hard. It was obvious back early in that season that the line didnt ahve its magic again, yet they refused to try something new. It first resulted it Arnotts trade to dallas. Then Sykora's questionable performance in the playoffs year got him shipped off as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsRule Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 He sucks compare to his prime, but I think he can contribute some offense Where were you the first half of the season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voros19 Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 Kozlov is an UFA as well. Without him, the team can free up 2+ million. I've already factored that in. Here's a rough estimation of what the team will face in the offseason: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fan Posted March 30, 2006 Author Share Posted March 30, 2006 I dont see offering a UFA the max contract letting him go, but to each his own.The situation with the A line was quite different in how Sykora and Arnott especially pouted about the line breaking up instead of trying to make the best of their new lines and still working hard. It was obvious back early in that season that the line didnt ahve its magic again, yet they refused to try something new. It first resulted it Arnotts trade to dallas. Then Sykora's questionable performance in the playoffs year got him shipped off as well. I don't like both trades involving Arnott and Sykora because the main ingredients (Friesen, Nieuwendyk and Tverdovsky) in this deal are gone. so, we just gave up something without anything in return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 I don't like both trades involving Arnott and Sykora because the main ingredients (Friesen, Nieuwendyk and Tverdovsky) in this deal are gone. so, we just gave up something without anything in return. We have a rather large banner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voros19 Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 A Cup isn't a good enough return? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fan Posted March 30, 2006 Author Share Posted March 30, 2006 A Cup isn't a good enough return? Yup. But however, keep losing players is with nothing in return (we even gave up a first rounder in the Arnott deal) hurts the team and also misses a chance to bring in some promising young guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 We got a 3rd rounder for Friesen, btw. And I think Anaheim got a 3rd and a prospect for Sykora. Putting the A line back together would be unlikely, and I'm not sure it would work as planned (cough Mogilny, Malakhorrible). It would be cool to have the A line and the AA line though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOULAM1 Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 A guy like Parrish could be huge for this team. A natural goal scorer who lives around the net and plays the RW. Defensively responsable, good skater, and knows how to play in the eastern confrence. Yes he is streaky, but we are in desperate need of guys that can put the puck in the net. "A natural goal scorer who lives around the net ..." Amen brother! Who was the last Devs "natural" goal scorer who played the PP and delivered in FRONT of the net 5 on 5 as well? I think it was Arnott. He freed up so much space for everybody around him on the PP while other great players like Gio don't command as much when it comes to the physical aspect of clearing space in front of the net. You can also say Nieuwendyk, but Jason was the last, great player who took it to the net. Give me Parrish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsRule Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 Putting the A line back together would be unlikely, and I'm not sure it would work as planned (cough Mogilny, Malakhorrible). It would be cool to have the A line and the AA line though Sykora and Arnott are not dinosaurs yet though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gomer23 Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 Sykora takes less to come back, IMO, he has man-love for Elias. (2.1ish/yr) Redden is my dream. (5.5/yr) but, Kubina(4.2/yr), is more likely. I expect Langs to get resigned at about 1.8-1.9. Elias 5.2, for 4yrs. Gomer at 3.25 for 3yrs. Gio at about 2-2.5yr. And I don't think the raises are as much across the board as Voros19 does, but Kudos to him for making the spreadsheet, very helpfull. I would like Lou to extend Raffy for 3yrs. at 3.4ish, that drops his number next year by about 800k. Marshall, Weimer, Klee, and Assmuffin go away. Far away. I like Marsh, but the team has waaaay too many fourth liners on it that can be filled with inexpensive talent from the A at minimum wage. Parise-Gomer-Gio Elias-Sarge-Sykora PanMaddenBrunner Janssen-Ryznar-Tallackson/Vrana Redden-Martin Whitey-Raffy Luk-Matvi Hale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnderDogX Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 (edited) Sykora takes less to come back, IMO, he has man-love for Elias. (2.1ish/yr)Redden is my dream. (5.5/yr) but, Kubina(4.2/yr), is more likely. I expect Langs to get resigned at about 1.8-1.9. Elias 5.2, for 4yrs. Gomer at 3.25 for 3yrs. Gio at about 2-2.5yr. And I don't think the raises are as much across the board as Voros19 does, but Kudos to him for making the spreadsheet, very helpfull. I would like Lou to extend Raffy for 3yrs. at 3.4ish, that drops his number next year by about 800k. Marshall, Weimer, Klee, and Assmuffin go away. Far away. I like Marsh, but the team has waaaay too many fourth liners on it that can be filled with inexpensive talent from the A at minimum wage. Parise-Gomer-Gio Elias-Sarge-Sykora PanMaddenBrunner Janssen-Ryznar-Tallackson/Vrana Redden-Martin Whitey-Raffy Luk-Matvi Hale I like this and it's well thought out but Brylin can't be a second line center...we need one..physical, skillfull, something...hardworking just doesn't work with aging talent that Brylin is...he, if he fits in this equation should be fourth line...or third line with Madden and Pando...I like this though...but there is probably little to no chance Lou would have Sykie come back... Edited March 30, 2006 by UnderDogX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.