http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Steven-Hind...r-0910/98/21616
Here is a list I have compiled of various Restricted and Unrestricted Free Agents that will become available as of July 1st if they do not resign with their current team.
Forwards:
UFA’s:
- Hossa
- Gaborik
- Havlat
- Sedin, H.
- Sedin, D.
- Cammaleri
- Sakic
- Sundin
- Tanguay
- Koivu
- Kovalev
- Guerin
- Cole
- Gionta
- Lang
- Lehtinen
RFA’s:
- Kessel
- Ruutu
- Higgins
- Plekanec
- Hudler
- Zherdev
- Clowe
- Upshall
- Stafford
- Callahan
- Versteeg
- Armstrong
- Brule
- Jokinen
- Leino
- Pouliot
- Booth
- Zajac
- Bolland
- Bernier
Defense:
UFA’s:
- Niedermayer
- Komisarek
- Bouwmeester
- Ohlund
- Schneider
- Zubov
- Blake
- Aucoin
- Boynton
- De Vries
- Zanon
- Koistinen
RFA’s:
- Barker
- Johnson
- Morrisonn
- Grebeshkov
- Babchuk
- Jurcina
- Yandle
- Lashoff
- Krajicek
- O’Brien
Goaltenders
UFA’s:
- Khabibulin
- Biron
- Clemmensen
- Legace
- Johnson
- Fernandez
- Roloson
- Conklin
- Nittymaki
- Gerber
- Raycroft
RFA’s:
- Lehtonen
- Niemi
- Schwarz
- Elliot
- Harding
- Budaj
- Crawford
- Ramo
- Machesney
Here is a current list of all NHL Teams’ Cap Space for ‘09/10 as well as the amount of players signed (From Least Available $$$ to Most Available $$$).
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
PHI 19 $3.5
Note: Signing Emery may turn out to be a genius move, but if the Flyers expect to bring on a high profile player, they will need to make a major swap. Unless they are offering up Simon Gagne or Jeff Carter, I doubt Holmgren will be able to do too much.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
DET 16 $3.7
Note: They are always scary when it comes to filling out their roster. Signing Hossa doesn’t seem to be a sure bet. In order to fill out their lineup, the Wings will likely retain their cheaper UFA’s and RFA’s while being able to sign someone for an unprecedented discount price(Hi Mats.).
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
OTT 21 $3.9
Note: They were in trouble before Dany asked for a trade. Now? Well, let’s just say that, although doubtful, if someone doesn’t pony up huge for Heater, the Sens will have to get very creative. Despite the possibility that teams try to swindle Bryan Murray, I am sure Heatley will bring a return that will stabilize the Senators lineup. This “worst case†scenario of Heatley demanding out may very well bring a better spread of talent to their team.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
PIT 15 $6.5
Note: The current Stanley Cup champions have a few decisions to make, especially in regards to Gonchar and Guerin, but outside of that, this team should manage to have a very similar team come October.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
BOS 15 $6.6
Note: With Kessel asking to eat up the rest of the B’s cap space, it is very unlikely he will remain in Black and Gold. Not unless Chiarelli decides that it’s time to bid adieu to game breakers like Marc Savard or Patrice Bergeron. With the outside chance that Sturm(NTC) or Ryder being moved, the Bruins might lose out on retaining a possible 50 goal scorer.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
CGY 16 $7.5
Note: With the need to hire a coach, the Flames have a few issues to address. Losing Cammeleri and Bertuzzi seem natural at this point, yet don’t expect Darryl Sutter to sit around while good players are being signed up. Phaneuf’s status is unclear, and with an eye towards a player like Bouwmeester, the Flames could be one of those teams that really attempt to shake things up this summer.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
SJS 13 $8.6
Note: Disappointment surrounds the Western Conference’s best regular season team, but with a few quiet moves, the Sharks should be able to ice a very similar team to the one that cruised to the most points in the NHL. Thornton or Marleau? The safe money is on both of them staying, but with thoughts surrounding the teams leadership and ability to advance in the playoffs, making a big statement to move one of them could very well be on the radar.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
BUF 15 $8.7
Note: Cap Issues and the need for their young guns to fully mature are what matters most for the Sabres for this upcoming season. Buffalo likely won’t get to make a big move on the UFA market, but getting creative via trades is a very likely possibility. Buffalo could use some more strength up front, expect them to be in touch with teams from the West.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
EDM 18 $9.0
Note: The Oilers are still in search for a big star player. Will this be the year they get it? With a need to address goaltending first, it is very doubtful that Edmonton can afford to get into a bidding war for any of the available superstars, but, like Buffalo, they are expected to be very active on the trade market in order to get what they need.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
WAS 14 $10.7
Note: With the loss of Viktor Kozlov and expected departures of Donald Brashear and Sergei Fedorov as well, the Caps will be looking to the open market for players interested in replacing them. Rumours swirl that Michael Nylander may very well be trying to work out a deal to play in the KHL(perhaps reuniting with Jagr?) could open up a lot of cap space for Washington, something that would truly allow them to dip into the free agent pool or even make a major trade. I will have much more on the Caps in the next few days, for now let’s just say that the kettle is slowly boiling over.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
COL 13 $11.2
Note: There is trouble in the Rockies and despite having the 3rd overall pick in the upcoming draft, the Avs have some serious issues to address. Will Sakic return? Very uncertain at this point. Do they have a goaltender? Not just yet. Colorado is one of the teams that is desperate to right the ship. Unfortunately for Avalanche fans, the way things are progressing, it may take another season or two before things start to look up. That said, never count someone like Lacroix, he likes to turn heads. One thing is certain, the Avs GM is entertaining every possibility, including moving the 3rd overall pick.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
MIN 17 $12.1
Note: New system, new team? That is the hope being placed on Todd Richards shoulders. The new Wild bench boss will have an interesting first summer as the team will either retain or wave goodbye to Marian Gaborik. Depending on his status, the Wild will or will not be players in the market. Trades are unlikely as they will turn towards their youthful defense and players such as Mikko Koivu and PM Bouchard on offense. A Home for Saku Koivu? Time will tell, but I would put my money on NO.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
CAR 15 $12.5
Note: It will be tough to retain some of the key pieces that helped the Hurricanes the Semi Finals, but with a familiar face in Paul Maurice back for another 3 seasons, the Canes will likely find a way to make it happen. Don’t expect them to be major players in the market after trying to resign the players they already have. Trades? Maybe, but not likely until during next campaign.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
STL 19 $12.9
Note: This team of the future has plenty of players signed. With 19 under contract, the Blues can afford to shop around a little or, given their plethora of youthful talent, dip their hands into the trade circuit. With a President like John Davidson gung-ho to bring back quality hockey to St.Louis expect the Blues to make moves everyone and anywhere. Next year will be fun for Blues fans.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
DAL 17 $14.2
Note: With the co-GM nightmare now in the past, all the Stars can hope for is that their team stays healthy. There is some money available and it is very likely that new GM Joe Nieuwendyk will want to put his mark on this team. Trades are possible, but expect Joe to get involved in some of the bidding wars as well. A home for Heatley? Possibly, yet the Stars may not have enough to offer up to Ottawa.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
NJD 14 $14.5
Note: Sutter got stressed out, so now Lou is back hunting for a new coach. Not really that much of a surprise for Devils fans. The team is strong and well mixed with veterans and young studs, the key for Jersey will be a healthy Marty Brodeur and perhaps a well known veteran blueliner(the return of Scotty Neids?).
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
TOR 16 $15.0
Note: The Leafs may return to the playoffs next year, but that is only likely to happen if Brian Burke gets nasty. The Leafs are young and dead-set on building up a young, strong, talented core, seeing as that may forgo pursuing too many big name free agents, the Leafs may have to wait another year to return to the post-season. That said, Burke won’t shy away from anything and has a penchant for working out some pretty incredible deals. The Sedins are likely to be targets, but then if you listened to everything you would have to believe that Toronto will be going after every player on the market. Burke may not get his hands on any of the top picks, but pursuing players such as Rick Nash or Joe Thornton is not out of the picture.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
LAK 20 $15.1
Note: Cash to spend, prospects and youth abound. So what do the Kings have to do to finally get their team into the playoffs? Landing some veteran help in every category would definitely help. Players on the trade market and in free agency, Lombardi has everything at his disposal to give the Kings a very good shot at being a legitimate playoff team in ’09/10.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
CBJ 18 $15.3
Note: With their first taste of the playoffs and regular season success, the Jackets are set for next season, with the money to pursue some more help for Rick Nash. Nash has to like what he sees in Steve Mason and with the return of early rookie of the year favourite, Derrick Brassard, if they Jackets get their hands on some more quality help on the blue line and the power play, they will be stronger than last year.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
NYR 10 $16.1
Note: With the least amount of players signed in the NHL and only 16 mil to spend, Glen Sather is going to have to work his contacts in order to give the Rangers a chance to ice a lineup not solely based around an amazing goaltender and a group of overpaid underachievers. The Rangers, as usual, are players in everything. Expect the unexpected, yet don’t be shocked if New York does not do much. It appears that a remake of the Rangers in order, but no one in their front office will tell you that.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
ANA 14 $18.1
Note: The Ducks upset the Sharks and looked very dangerous this post-season, yet, once again, are at the mercy of Scott Neidermayer. It is up to Scott to decide if he wishes to return for another season, and for that matter, if he wants to return to Anaheim. It is said that if Neidermayer returns, then Pronger is available. If he does not return, than Chris is not on the market. That sounds like the Ducks are trying to drive up the asking price for Pronger regardless of Neidermayer’s return. Scotty will play another season, where is the real question. The Ducks have cash and have their core. Parting with Beauchemin will be difficult, but with Whitney now on the back-end, they can afford to do it. If the Ducks can get an insane offer for Pronger, they will take. As far as how they will spend their money, it will go first to Neidermayer or someone to replace him, than(hopefully for Duck fans) some secondary scoring support for Getzlaf and Perry.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
TBL 14 $19.4
Note: Things will be different this time around in Tampa. It is all but certain that Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier will be dealt. Where? No one is sure yet, but with the draft taking place in Vinny’s hometown, it’s not a far stretch to see a deal get worked out between the Lightning and Canadiens. All the pieces are there for the deal to go down and with the Bolts choosing 2nd overall, they have an extremely large opportunity to rebuild the team in one fell swoop. Whether it is with Stamkos/Hedman or Stamkos/Tavares, Tampa has more than enough reason to clear out their current captains $7.7 annual cap hit, redistributing to available free agents which would give the team stability. Tampa is in the mix and are likely to make big splashes in free agency and via trades.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
FLA 13 $20.6
Note: Their youth is starting to come into their own and now that they have completely moved on from the Luongo/Jokinen days of mediocrity, the Panthers can look forward to an opportunity to get back into the playoffs next season. The Cats have to address a few issues, but with over $20 mil to spend(not that they will even come close to the cap), Florida will make every move to possible to replace Bouwmeester and to strengthen the teams offense. Veteran help on offense is needed, yet with Peter DeBoer at the helm, these Panthers have looked good and will only continue to look better.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
VAN 13 $21.2
Note: Money to burn, but will it go back to Sweden? Mats, Henrik and Daniel are all unrestricted free agents. The Sedins are looking for approximately $126 million(combined) over the next 12 years and Mats appears to have his sights set elsewhere. So what do the Nucks do? Well, when you have the best goaltender not playing in the NHL as well as a strong candidate for the best goaltender in the league already playing for you, you are faced with a dilemma. Move Luongo and turn to Schneider(ala Habs turning to Price) or decide to move Schneider to acquire a plethora of assets? There are lots of decisions to be made on the West Coast and with only 12 days remaining until open season, Vancouver is going to have to get going!
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
NAS 13 $22.0
Note: The news has been relatively quiet out of Nashville, but it appears that the Predators management is once again considering making some big moves in order to change the makeup of their team. With the teams lining up in case Nashville wants to part with Suter or Weber, there are decisions to be made. Radulov is not coming back(again) so the Preds will surely have address that void this season, right? Don’t be so sure. Nashville will look to make the big move, if it’s the right move. Depth and a better offense are on the radar so look for the Predators to try and land a big name(not so sure Heatley would like Nashville, but it is certain that Ottawa would like what Nashville could offer up).
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
CHI 11 $22.5
Note: The breakthrough team of the year, these young Blackhawks have quite a bit of restructuring to do, primarily through their restricted free agents. There is the big question of whether or not the Hawks retain Khabibulin, the better of their two goaltenders from last season, but with the need to resign both Corey Crawford and Antii Niemi, the Hawks are likely saying goodbye to Khabi. After resigning their plethora of RFA’s don’t be surprised if the Hawks get into the trading sweeps, but not until all those young guns get locked up. They better hurry too, with 12 days to resign all those players, it is all but certain that a few teams will send offer sheets in an attempt to land one or two of those promising young Hawks.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
NYI 17 $23.9
Note: The rebuild will go into full swing once the Isles land either Tavares or Hedman. Although there is a lot of money to spend on Long Island, expect the Isles to keep their budgets low as they wait to have their arena situation settled. With a healthy Rick Dipietro back next year, the Isles will be better. Once they decide on either the forward or defenseman at the draft, the Islanders will have a clearer picture of which direction to go in their off-season moves.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
ATL 12 $26.6
Note: The Summer of helping Ilya. It is Don Waddell’s last chance to show Thrashers superstar, Ilya Kovalchuk, that he is capable of bringing a talented of group of players together for him to play with. Resigning Kari Lehtonen will be the first priority, but with other goaltenders available and Kari’s injury riddled past, don’t put it past Atlanta to seek out some serious depth in nets(Biron, Khabibulin). Although that is certainly a pressing issue, addressing the teams stability and lineup depth will be crucial. If Waddell cannot set things in motion, expect Kovalchuk to quietly begin seeking employment with a team that has a better shot.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
PHX 14 $27.4
Note: The Coyotes may very well be the only team left out of everything. With the bankruptcy/ownership issues front and center in the NHL’s front office, the Coyotes may very well have to wait until it is too late to make any moves at all. I feel bad for the Yotes. They have a good group of young forwards, yet have not been allowed to put together a team strong enough to win. Although Don Maloney has the freedom to go ahead and sign his UFA’s and RFA’s, don’t expect to hear too much else in the way of moves or rumours when it comes to Coyotes players. Until there is more clarity in regards to the Coyotes future next season, everything else will seemingly have to wait.
Team # of Players Signed Availble Cap Space(in $ Millions)
MTL 11 $33.0
Note: The Canadiens are the biggest players this summer. They have the most money to spend. The have to resign the largest group of important players. They have a stocked cupboard when it comes to prospects. They will likely have new owners(my money is on Molson). The draft is in Montreal. So many x-factors surround the Canadiens and what they will or will not do that is nearly impossible to call. One thing is for certain, Bob Gainey and the Montreal Canadiens will have no choice but to make a bunch of noise as they spend most of their available $30+ million. Don’t rule out anything in Montreal. From now, through the draft and into the free agency period, the Montreal Canadiens will be involved in every conversation surrounding nearly every player. At least until the cap space runs out.
Every team has their own fair share of issues and questions to address, yet it is very clear who will be big players this summer and who will not. Having placed themselves so close to the cap, certain teams will find themselves handcuffed when it comes to pursuing the best talent available, whereas those with the more money to spend will certainly have the best chance to lure those elite players seeking big pay days and a hopeful shot at the Cup in the near future.
