2008 NHL FA-Offseason Talk

[jimotis4heisman]

i will dedicate this thread to the quest for lord stanleys cup, offseason moves, fa, ufas offer sheets and general talk/rumors and other discussion of stuff that goes on this summer. feel free to use team threads also but with some decent sized fish to be caught in the ufa market and some nice rfas out there a few good trades it should be a nice thread.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

2008 UFA and RFA Lists
ufas/rfas
for every team

2008 All Free Agent Team
2008 all free agent team

Forwards (12)

MARIAN HOSSA
2007-08 Team: Thrashers/Penguins
2007-08 Salary: $7 million
The Stats: 72 GP, 29 G, 66 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: After shaking his reputation as a bad playoff performer and helping lead the Penguins to the Cup final, Hossa will be commanding a huge pay raise.
MATS SUNDIN
2007-08 Team: Maple Leafs
2007-08 Salary: $5.5 million
The Stats: 74 GP, 32 G, 78 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Sundin's future depends on where the Maple Leafs are headed and whether they'll bump up his salary from the $5.5 million he earned last season.
JAROMIR JAGR
2007-08 Team: Rangers
2007-08 Salary: $8.36 million
The Stats: 82 GP, 25 G, 71 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Jagr has hinted at everything from retirement to playing in Russia, but a return to the NHL for another year will likely be with the Rangers.

KRISTIAN HUSELIUS
2007-08 Team: Flames
2007-08 Salary: $1.4 million
The Stats: 81 GP, 41 A, 66 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: With a lot of free agents to sign and limited cap space, Huselius could be the odd man out in Calgary. Teams would love him for secondary scoring.
DAYMOND LANGKOW
2007-08 Team: Flames
2007-08 Salary: $2.442 million
The Stats: 80 GP, 30 G, 65 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Langkow has been a model of consistency and solid two-way play for the last two seasons. That being said, he's the top offseason priority in Calgary.
SEAN AVERY
2007-08 Team: Rangers
2007-08 Salary: $1.9 million</B>
The Stats: 57 GP, 33 PTS, 154 PIM
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Not only is the league's premier agitator, but he's also a great skater and a solid clutch scorer. He's a one-of-a-kind player in this year's market.

RYAN MALONE
2007-08 Team: Penguins
2007-08 Salary: $1.45 million
The Stats: 77 GP, 27 G, 6 GWG
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: A subject of trade rumours for a few seasons now, the ever-improving power forward elevated his stock significantly with Pittsburgh's Cup run.
VACLAV PROSPAL
2007-08 Team: Lightning/Flyers
2007-08 Salary: $1.9 million
The Stats: 80 GP, 33 G, 71 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Prospal was one of the few bright spots with the Lightning this past season, and his consistency played a big part in Philly's playoff success.
MARKUS NASLUND
2007-08 Team: Canucks
2007-08 Salary: $6 million
The Stats: 82 GP, 30 A, 55 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Naslund is clearly in the back-end of his career, but can still provide some offensive boost for less than the $6 million he earned this past season.

BRIAN ROLSTON
2007-08 Team: Wild
2007-08 Salary: $2.432 million
The Stats: 81 GP, 59 PTS, 8 GWG
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Rolston has been the heart-and-soul of the Wild for three seasons, and the team is working hard to try to re-sign their on-ice leader.
PAVOL DEMITRA
2007-08 Team: Wild
2007-08 Salary: $4.5 million
The Stats: 68 GP, 39 A, 54 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: The sturggling Demitra was initially brought in to St. Paul as support for Marian Gaborik. If he goes, will Gaborik follow a year from now via free agency?
RADIM VRBATA
2007-08 Team: Coyotes
2007-08 Salary: $1.225 million
The Stats: 76 GP, 27 G, 56 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: After a career year in Phoenix, Vrbata can stay and grow with a young and exciting team, or go for a big pay day and play somewhere else.

Defence (6)

BRIAN CAMPBELL
2007-08 Team: Sabres/Sharks
2007-08 Salary: $1.75 million
The Stats: 83 GP, 62 PTS, 33 PPP
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Campbell's fluid skating, smart defensive game and power play expertise make him the top commodity on the blueline this summer.
WADE REDDEN
2007-08 Team: Senators
2007-08 Salary: $6.5 million
The Stats: 80 GP, 38 PTS, +11
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: The chances of Redden returning at an affordable price are slim - especially with the Big Three locked up and Meszaros and Vermette left to sign.

MARK STREIT
2007-08 Team: Canadiens
2007-08 Salary: $600,000
The Stats: 81 GP, 62 PTS, 34 PPP
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: He was a big reason why the Habs didn't miss Sheldon Souray on the power play, with lots of minutes logged on defence and at forward.
JOHN-MICHAEL LILES
2007-08 Team: Avalanche
2007-08 Salary: $1.4 million
The Stats: 81 GP, 32 PTS, 20 PPP
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Liles hasn't put up very big numbers, but has great value for his solid puck movement and playing 'Top 4' minutes in every game.

MICHAL ROZSIVAL
2007-08 Team: Rangers
2007-08 Salary: $2.3 million
The Stats: 80 GP, 38 PTS, 2 SHG
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: With 18 power play points, Rozsival was the best of a Broadway defence corps that didn't provide a whole lot of offence from the point.
RON HAINSEY
2007-08 Team: Blue Jackets
2007-08 Salary: $900,000
The Stats: 78 GP, 32 PTS, 23 PPP
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: A former Montreal cast-off, Hainsey was a top defenceman who played more than 22 minutes a game for an underachieving Blue Jackets lineup.

Goaltenders (2)

CRISTOBAL HUET
2007-08 Team: Canadiens/Capitals
2007-08 Salary: $2.75 million
The Stats: 52 GP, 32 W, .920 SV%
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: After arriving from the Habs, the French netminder shone brightly for the Caps going 11-2 with a 1.63 GAA and .936 save percentage.
JOSE THEODORE
2007-08 Team: Avalanche
2007-08 Salary: $6 million
The Stats: 53 GP, 28 W, 2.44 GAA
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Theodore showed shades of his glory days with Montreal, but it won't translate into anything close to the $16 million deal he got three years ago.

Spares (3)

MICHAEL RYDER
2007-08 Team: Canadiens
2007-08 Salary: $2.95 million
The Stats: 70 GP, 14 G, 31 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Teams lining up for the Newfoundland native are betting he'll return to his 30-goal form from two seasons ago. The Habs won't likely be one of them.
BRAD STUART
2007-08 Team: Red Wings
2007-08 Salary: $3.5 million
The Stats: 72 GP, 23 PTS, -10
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: The Wings can't afford Stuart at $3.5 million for next season, but he has certainly made a case for staying with his impressive playoff outing.
DAN ELLIS
2007-08 Team: Predators
2007-08 Salary: $500,000
The Stats: 44 GP, 23 W, .924 SV%
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Chris Mason won Nashville's No. 1 job from Tomas Vokoun last year, and it was Ellis' turn this past season with a 2.34 GAA in just 44 games.

08 NHL Off-Season Game Plans
tsn offseason game plans

Islanders sign Jackman to 1-year contract
tim jackman signs 1 year deal iwth isles
Lightning re-sign Picard, lock up Quick
alex picard and kevin quick sign with the bolts
(not the cbj pic, the dman one)
Sabres ink goaltender Enroth to three-year contract
enroth signed 3 year deal with sabres
Flames sign 2006 draft pick Carpentier
hugo carpenter signs entry deal
Senators ink Regin to entry-level contract
regin entry deal

Fletcher makes offer; Wilson headed for Toronto
ron wilson to leafs to coach

 

[Brutus1]

Alot of decent players on that list.

Will Sundin wake up and get the hell out of Purgatory?

What the heck happened to Redden? I think he'll be a nice addition for the team that signs him, as long as it's reasonable.

Almost everyone will want Campbell.

Malone will get a nice raise, but not as much if he decides to stay in town.

Will Streit stay with the Habs?

Will Hossa be the highest paid of the group?

 

[jimotis4heisman]

The Hockey News: Rumor Roundup: Rumor Roundup: Cup finalists will have busy off-seasons
article on the wings and pens off season work to do

 

[Brutus1]

Nice article. I guess Shero is going to earn his salary the next 2 offseasons.

When can GM's negotiate to extend contracts? With Malkin and Staal UFA's after the 08/09 season, can he try to get them extended after the current season?

I noticed in the message board at the bottom of the article alot of the people are down on Malkin's Casper act in the finals and are suggesting they sign Hossa and let Malkin walk after next year and take the 4 first rounders. That would be hard to swallow, losing a great player at that age, regardlesss of the compensation. I think I'd prefer to sign him, then, in the future if it became to costly, trade him for proven players or good prospects. The 4 first rounders could be in the 20's and that would suck.

It's nice to see that they're willing to spend everything to get into the new barn with the core intact.

Personally, I think Malone is gone. Someone will offer him 4M per and he's just not worth it. Good player, great guy, but the line has to be drawn somewhere and they'll have to lose some players.

 

[Brutus1]

Ok boys, let the fun begin. Curses to the team that signs Brooks Orpik!!!!!(unless he re-signs)

15 days until the draft. We should see alot of action in those days.

 

[daveeb]

First of all, Penguins need to re-sign Malkin, Staal, and Fleury. That is and always has been the most important part. Those three will continue to improve. And, that is a great young core to build a team around. Staal shouldn't be asking for too much (Probably $3 mil), and Fleury should ask for around $5 million. The fact that Malkin could potentially ask for more than what Crosby is making worries me.

Malone - Walk, if he asks for too much money. A lot of his success was attributed to playing with Malkin.
Hossa - I would love to see him back, but let's face facts: Despite the fact that he was offered the maximum in Atlanta multiple times, he is still goingt o ask for a ton of money. I'd rather re-sign Malkin than sign Hossa.
Orpik - Depends on how much he asks for. Can't keep everyone.
Laraque - Gonna ask for too much money. Gone.
Ruutu - He probably won't ask for more than what he has received the last 2 years (About 1.2 million). That shouldn't be too hard to fit under the cap.
Roberts - Probably going to retire. If he wants to return, I'm cool with it, but not at a steep price. He has a cult following in Pittsburgh.
Hall - Shouldn't be hard to re-sign.
Dupuis - Re-sign him. Plays hard and full of energy. Won't cost a lot. Can play on the Top 2 or 3 lines.

There are a few players in the Pens minor league system who should come up soon to fill some forward spots. Ryan Stone, Jonathan Filewich, and Tim Brent come to mind immediately.

From the defensive end of the minor league system, there is Alex Goligoski. He should fit in nicely with the Pens system. He was a success in his first few games in Pittsburgh.

After that, sign a few cost-efficient wingers and D-men. I'd prefer to just keep Malone, instead of signing a new guy. He works well with Malkin and Sykora. But, the never ending problem of Crosby needing a top winger is always going to be around. That is what the Penguins need to get, especially since it is almost certain that Hossa is going to leave town.

 

[3074326]

I'm not sure how certain it is that Hossa is leaving. I think odds are definitely in-favor of him leaving, but he fit perfectly with the Pens. He wants to win. He's on one of the youngest, most talented teams in the NHL, and that team also has a fantastic fanbase. He's going to command money, but I would not be surprised at all if he took less to stay in Pittsburgh and try to make another run.

I hope he stays. He's my favorite Pen on the current roster, and he's always been one of my favorites. Even when he played with Ottawa. So fun to watch him play.

I'm curious to see what Hainsey gets.

 

[Brutus1]

How the heck can a guy that's only been on the roster 3 months be your favorite player?

Laraque and Ruutu both said they'd take less to stay here and win a Cup. While he's useless in the latter roundof the playoffs, BGL is a very important member of the Pens. Crosby loves him, the town loves him and he's very, very gracious with his time for kids and charities. Everyone outside of Pittsburgh hates Rutuu, that's why he re-signs.

They'll trade Sydor and save 2.5M. I think Roberts will re-sign but will have to take the vets minimum. If Chelly still plays, then Roberts can certainly stick it out another year.

 

[3074326]

he's always been one of my favorites. Even when he played with Ottawa. So fun to watch him play.

(And I mentioned his days with Ottawa because I really, really don't like Ottawa)

 

[Brutus1]

How about favorite player for the last 3 months.

Who was you favorite before he arrived, Erik Christensen?:)

 

[3074326]

Before he got there, it was Crosby. Duh! I'll never get tired of the media's love affair with him.

It's tough choosing one over the other. I almost said Malkin. The more I thought about it, I really like Staal and the potential that he has. Then there's Fleury and Whitney. And you have to love/respect what Gary Roberts does. Same with Talbot.

The whole team is my favorite player!

I hope the Jackets get Marleau. How likely is it that Hainsey is gone? /on topic

 

[Mike80]

Look for Stuart to be re-signed. Lilja and Downey will likely walk and one of the kids from Grand Rapids will be asked to step into his place.

I'd like to see Fillipula locked up long-term. I don't think they'll keep any of the UFA forwards except for maybe McCarty. If he could give them a physical presence for 40-50 games next year along with a playoff run, that would be great.

 

[daveeb]

I'd love to see Columbus get some good players in free agency that they can build a team around. To be blunt, the city of Columbus has always supported the hockey team as much as they could be expected to, given the fact that the squad is definitely one with a track record of losing.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

I'm curious to see what Hainsey gets.

he feels he can get 4.5-5.5m on the open market...

First of all, Penguins need to re-sign Malkin, Staal, and Fleury. That is and always has been the most important part. Those three will continue to improve. And, that is a great young core to build a team around. Staal shouldn't be asking for too much (Probably $3 mil), and Fleury should ask for around $5 million. The fact that Malkin could potentially ask for more than what Crosby is making worries me.

Malone - Walk, if he asks for too much money. A lot of his success was attributed to playing with Malkin.
Hossa - I would love to see him back, but let's face facts: Despite the fact that he was offered the maximum in Atlanta multiple times, he is still goingt o ask for a ton of money. I'd rather re-sign Malkin than sign Hossa.
Orpik - Depends on how much he asks for. Can't keep everyone.
Laraque - Gonna ask for too much money. Gone.
Ruutu - He probably won't ask for more than what he has received the last 2 years (About 1.2 million). That shouldn't be too hard to fit under the cap.
Roberts - Probably going to retire. If he wants to return, I'm cool with it, but not at a steep price. He has a cult following in Pittsburgh.
Hall - Shouldn't be hard to re-sign.
Dupuis - Re-sign him. Plays hard and full of energy. Won't cost a lot. Can play on the Top 2 or 3 lines.

There are a few players in the Pens minor league system who should come up soon to fill some forward spots. Ryan Stone, Jonathan Filewich, and Tim Brent come to mind immediately.

From the defensive end of the minor league system, there is Alex Goligoski. He should fit in nicely with the Pens system. He was a success in his first few games in Pittsburgh.

After that, sign a few cost-efficient wingers and D-men. I'd prefer to just keep Malone, instead of signing a new guy. He works well with Malkin and Sykora. But, the never ending problem of Crosby needing a top winger is always going to be around. That is what the Penguins need to get, especially since it is almost certain that Hossa is going to leave town.

maf played himself into a big payday this year and even more so with his playoff run
staal would be a steal locked up long term at 3m
ive heard lots of talk of people loving orpiks physical style long term upside
hall showed great grind down the stretch of the series.

should be a good summer