NHL Shopping Season Begins Soon

June 25, 2008 – 2:56 pm

July 1st. Most people are usually thinking about their upcoming holiday picnics/get togethers. For the National Hockey League, each July 1st is the beginning of it’s shopping season, and it’s always a frenzy of activity that causes teams usually to overwhelm free agent players with huge contracts. This year doesn’t look to be much different, with lots of interesting names out there. Let’s take a look at what I perceive to be the top 10 free agents come July 1st:

10. Brian Rolston, 35, LW, Minnesota Wild: Rolston is a great two-way forward, who is his only downfall is the fact he isn’t 25 anymore. Coming off a solid 2007-08 season, where he scored 59 points in 81 games, Rolston is subject to the fact that any multi-year contract he signs will automatically be counted against the salary cap, even if Rolston does not play (injury exception aside, which would give the signing team relief). 2007-08 salary: $2.432 million Prediction: Resigns with Minnesota to one-year incentive laden deal

9. Kristian Huselius, 30, LW, Calgary Flames: Hueslius will most likely be gone from Calgary, as the salary cap is squeezing things pretty tightly for GM Duane Sutter and his Flames. Signing Dion Phaneuf and Jarome Iginla long-term have limited the capacity they have to sign the likes of Huselius and Daymond Langkow, meaning likely at least one will be gone. My bet is on Huselius heading east, and his second-line ability will help someone a lot. 2007-08 salary: $1.4 million Prediction: Signs with Boston Bruins to multi-year deal

8. Cristobal Huet, 32, G, Washington Capitals: Huet has been a late bloomer, and had a great run to end the season after being acquired by the Capitals for a second round pick. Huet put up a remarkable 1.63 GAA, while posting an 11-2 record, including two shutouts. I can’t imagine that the Capitals brought in Huet, had the success they did with him, and wouldn’t give him what it will take to have him locked up for the next few years. This seems like one of the more obvious predictions to make, but I guess you never know until they sign on the dotted line. 2007-08 salary: $2.75 million Prediction: Signs multi-year contract to remain with Washington Capitals

7. Ryan Malone, 28, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins: No one stood out more in the Stanley Cup Finals from a physical standpoint, then Malone, who had a significantly broken nose to deal with after taking a slap shot to the face. It didn’t hurt matters that Malone had a solid post-season, netting 6 goals and 10 assists in 20 playoff tilts, following a solid regular season of 27 goals and 24 assists in 77 games, along with 103 penalty minutes. Buyer beware to an extent, as he won’t have the likes of Evegeni Malkin or Sydney Crosby to feed him the puck if he leaves Pittsburgh, but Malone will bring a power game wherever he ends up. 2007-08 salary: $1.45 million Prediction: Signs a multi-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets

6. Wade Redden, 31, D, Ottawa Senators: Redden has been a bit of an enigma as a professional, seemingly always coming up short of great expectations. This isn’t to say Redden isn’t a quality defenseman, but as the #2 overall pick in the 1995 draft, Redden has come up short of those expectations, even while having a solid career. It seems he performs better however as a secondary defenseman, instead of necessarily being on the #1 pairing, and maybe not necessarily in the limelight, which to me, thinks he would avoid a hockey hotbed like Toronto or the big city like New York. As a result, I have no idea where that leaves Redden in the end. 2007-08 Season: $6.5 million Prediction: Signs multi-year deal with Atlanta Thrashers

5. Daymond Langkow, 31, C, Calgary Flames: Rumor has it this one is all but signed, sealed & delivered, and that Langkow will be re-signing with the Calgary Flames to a multi-year deal. Langkow has been a solid two-way center, and would be a perfect fit for a team like the New Jersey Devils, should he actually hit the free agent market. Langkow is coming off eight straight 50-plus point seasons, and wou 2007-08 salary: $2.442 million Prediction: Re-signs with the Calgary Flames to a multi-year deal

4. Jaromir Jagr, 36, RW, New York Rangers: Jagr certainly would’ve been atop this list a few years ago, but he has strated to show signs of age, and his desire at times leaves a bit to be desired. However, when he’s motivated, Jagr is as tough a player to stop on the ice as anyone. Jagr has hinted at retiring and playing in Russia, but in the end, I see him probably returning to the glitz and glamor of playing in New York. Don’t rule out the possibility of a return to Pittsburgh. 2007-08 salary: $8.36 million Prediction: Signs a 1-year incentive laden deal to re-sign with the New York Rangers

3. Mats Sundin, 37, C, Toronto Maple Leafs: The Montreal Canadiens have already made a big effort and received permission from the Maple Leafs to talk contract with Sundin, the aging superstar, who at this point isn’t even sure if he wants to return to the NHL next season. However, you can be certain Montreal GM Bob Gainey is going to do all he can to add Sundin’s veteran leadership to the mix next year, and give the Canadiens the boost it might need to return to the Stanley Cup. Sundin has 555 career goals, including 32 last season, and has averaged just over a point a game in his illustrious 1305 games played. Sundin would be a great addition to any team in a multitude of ways. 2007-08 salary: $5.5 million Prediction: Signs a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, but don’t discount the possibility of it being the Detroit Red Wings, post July 1.

2. Marian Hossa, 29, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins: It was kind of suprising to see the Penguins bring in Hossa at the trading deadline, but it paid immediate dividends, as Hossa was a vital piece of the puzzle in bringing the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. It’s rumored he still has Pittsburgh on top of his list of places to play, but I find that hard to believe at this point, especially with teams with more cap space out there lining up to bring him in. Hossa would be a great fit in either an offensive system, or a more defensive system, his game is that well rounded. 2007-08 season: $7 million Prediction: Crazy one here, there are about ten teams he could end up with, but I’m going to say the New Jersey Devils to a multi-year deal, I know GM Lou Lamoriello went hard after Hossa at the deadline, so now that he’s a free agent, I can’t imagine Lamoriello won’t go hard after him again.

1. Brian Campbell, 29, D, San Jose Sharks: In today’s NHL, a fast moving defenseman with the ability to make the first pass out of the neutral zone is a big deal, and Campbell hitting free agency will be a big prize for whichever team takes him in. I expect him to get well compensated, but the question is, what team will have the cap space and desire to shell out the money it will take bring him in? His 33 power play points and 62 points in 83 total games with Buffalo/San Jose last year gives an indication of what he is capable of. Bottom line is, the team that brings Campbell will have an immediate upgrade to their power play and their defense overall with just the ink being placed on the dotted line. 2007-08 season: $1.75 million Prediction: A significant raise, and a multi-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning (I will admit, this is a total shot in the dark here, there are many places he could end up potentially).

Now, there are my top ten free agents, and an educated guess as to where they may end up. Let’s take a quick look at some other free agents, and take a stab at where they may end up as well:

Forwards - Sean Avery, NY Rangers (old), Re-sign with New York Rangers… don’t believe they hype of him leaving, I think it’s all posturing at this point, and there are only a couple of teams that would take him on.

Pavol Demitra, Minnesota Wild (old), St. Louis Blues - I predict a return to his roots, and Demitra will add some scoring punch to a team that greatly needs it.

Sergei Fedorov, Washington Capitals (old), Washington Capitals: I can’t see the Caps letting Fedorov go, if Fedorov wants to play next year, I am assuming it will be with Alexander the Great and in Washington.

Bobby Holik, Atlanta Thrashers (old), New York Islanders - I think Holik would be a nice complement to former teammate Bill Guerin on the Island, bringing some size and grit to add to the youngsters they currently have.

Markus Naslund, Vancouver Canucks (old), Pittsburgh Penguins - A more offensive game for Naslund is something he seeks, and the Penguins may be able to afford him if they lose Hossa.

Jay Pandolfo, New Jersey Devils (old), Re-sign with New Jersey - I can’t see Pandolfo in another team’s sweater, but I could be surprised in the long run. If he does leave, I imagine Boston and Tampa Bay to be the most likely destinations for him.

Vaclav Prospal, Tampa Bay Lightning (rights acquired from Philly), Re-sign with Tampa Bay: Now with John Tortorolla gone as coach, I expect Prospal to return with his friend Vinny Lecavalier.

Michael Ryder, Montreal Canadiens (old), Ottawa Senators - I think adding Ryder would give the Senators some additional scoring to add to the mix, and give them some good depth.

Joe Sakic - Colorado Avalanche (old), Colorado Avalanche - Sakic would be in the top 10 if I thought there was any prayer he would move on to a new team. It’s either retire or stay with Colorado as I see it.

Radim Vrbata, Phoenix Coyotes (old), Colorado Avalanche - Perhaps a return to where he started as well, Vrbata had a big breakout season for Phoenix, netting 27 goals.

Defensemen:
Rob Blake, Los Angeles Kings & Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings: I can’t see either guy leaving their current team, expect them both to re-sign.

Ron Hainsey, Columbus Blue Jackets (old), Toronto Maple Leafs: I can see the Maple Leafs overpaying and helping to bring in Hainsey, who will help fill one of the many needs they have in Toronto.

John-Michael Liles, Colorado Avalanche (old), New Jersey Devils: Lamoriello loves signing the Americans, and will add another one here, who will fill a great need on the New Jersey backline.

Brooks Orpik, Pittsburgh Penguins (old), Pittsburgh Penguins: After the losses of Malone and Hossa, I think Pittsburgh will find the money to keep Orpik, a solid guy on the backline.

Michal Rozsival, New York Rangers (old), New York Rangers: I can’t see the Rangers let Rozisval go, considering how big of a role he plays, even if he will likely give up more and more responsibility to Marc Staal on an annual basis.

Marc Striet, Montreal Canadiens (old), San Jose Sharks: I exepct Streit to help on the point in replacing Campbell on the Sharks power play, and adding some punch to their backline.

Brad Stuart, Detroit Red Wings (old), Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres are often overlooked, but will bring in Stuart to help ease the loss of losing Campbell via a trade at last year’s trading deadline.

Goalies:

Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals (old), Ottawa Senators: After 300+ wins in Washington, I expect Kolzig to provide a nice insurance policy to the Ottawa Senators, where he can sit back and only if needed, step in and add instant credibility between the pipes.

Jose Theodore, Colorado Avalanche (old), Colorado Avalanche: The former Hart Trophy winner is not what he used to be, but I can’t see the Avalanche letting Theodore go.

There you have my stab at free agency, be sure to let me know your predictions, and what you think of mine, but remember, be ready for the wave of hockey news that will spring up come July 1st. To hockey free agents, it’s better then Christmas morning…..