Free Agents - Who's Left?

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With little more than two months remaining until the 2009/10 NHL season gets underway, and some big-name free agents still left unsigned, there is certainly room for change. Topping the list of unknowns is the ever-enigmatic Mats Sundin. Sundin spent most of last season deciding whether or not he wanted to return, and finally signed a pro-rated $8.6 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks, to score only 28 points in 41 games. Sundin’s play improved in the playoffs, where he managed 8 points in 8 games, but the Canucks were nevertheless eliminated [...]

Now Sundin is again undecided as to whether or not he will return. If a team picks him up, Sundin could be either a huge difference maker or a huge distraction during negotiations. This is a hard call, but if Sundin does return, I’m guessing he’ll only play half a season… not to mention he will most likely need to take a pay cut.

Next on the list are former Habs Alex Tanguay and Mathieu Schneider. Both had OK seasons with the Canadiens last year, but after bringing in many new players, neither looks to be a part of GM Bob Gainey’s current plans. Schneider is a capable offensive denfenceman who could change the dynamic of teams lacking on the blueline, while Tanguay, though he hasn’t reached the plateau yet, has the calibre of a 30-goal, 80-point scorer.

Players that may need to take a pay cut in order to get a deal done are Keith Tkachuk, Mike Comrie, Robert Lang, Maxim Afinogenov, and Miroslav Satan. All made in excess of $3 million last season. Few, if any, of them earned it. Among the more affordable free agents remaining are Petr Sykora, Jason Williams, and Todd Bertuzzi. Of his 13 NHL seasons, Sykora has scored 20+ goals eight times, and reached 30+ twice. Though aging, Sykora is still a dependable winger who could bring an immediate jump to any team’s depth chart. Jason Williams spent last season in Columbus, but rumours have him either going back to the team who drafted him, the Detroit Red Wings, or possibly signing in the KHL. The possibility of him staying in Columbus isn't excluded either, but looks unlikely. Todd Bertuzzi is a story in himself. A promising scorer in his rookie season, Bertuzzi struggled with injuries and inconsistency until playing some of his best hockey in Vancouver with Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund. After an incident which saw Bertuzzi sucker punch Colorado centre Steve Moore in the back of the head, Bertuzzi never played another game as a Canuck. After playing with the Panthers, Red Wings, Ducks, and Flames, Bertuzzi is starting to regain his form and could be a good addition for a team in need of grit and secondary scoring.

As far as free-agent goaltenders are concerned, one name stands out in particular – Manny Fernandez. In 325 games, Fernandez has 143 wins, 15 of which were shutouts, a .912 save percentage, and goals against average of only 2.50. With Tim Thomas and youngster Tuukka Rask in Boston, Fernandez was not offered a new contract. The market for goalies isn’t strong at the moment, but look for a team like Atlanta, or even Detroit to pick him up.

In other free agent signings, the Boston Bruins bolstered their defence by adding Derek Morris (NYR), while Colby Armstrong (ATL), Denis Grebeshkov (EDM), Tomas Plekanec (MTL), Travis Zajac (NJ), and Tuomo Ruutu (CAR) all signed with their respective 2008/09 teams.

- Josh Lind

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Trades, signings, and Heatley

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At times like these, it can be hard to believe that there's not any NHL hockey being played right now. Despite the offseason, the hockey world is indeed awake and abuzz with big-name player movement, a frenzied free-agent market, and enough rumours and speculation to drive anyone crazy [...]

Friday night, the Colorado Avalanche traded "Captain Canada" Ryan Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings. In return, the Avalanche got defencemen Tom Preissing and Kyle Quincey, as well as a fifth-round draft pick next year. The deal works out well for both teams, but the Kings get the better of it. While the Avalanche do need defence, what they're really missing are responsible, positional d-men, and a first or second power play quarterback to supplement John-Michael Liles - neither of which Preissing or Quincey have proven to be. Ryan Smyth, though prone to injury because of it, plays hard every shift. He has an intense drive to the net, and should be a great fit with Anze Kopitar in LA.

My hometown team, the Ottawa Senators, made quite a splash recently by signing sniper Alexei Kovalev from the rival Montreal Canadiens. Many Habs fans are upset with GM Bob Gainey for his free agent signings, and for letting players "walk" to rival teams. A few days before Kovalev was signed by the Sens, defenceman Mike Komisarek was grabbed by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alas, Habs fans always seem to have something to be upset about...

As for what Kovalev does for the Senators, that remains to be seen. He is an amazing puck-handler with tremendous skill, but there have been issues raised about both his attitude and his consistency. There is also the issue of where, and with whom, he will play. In Montreal, Kovalev was used on the top line most nights, and racked up more ice time per game than any other Canadiens forward. In Ottawa, he could possibly be used on the second line, or else play with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson, who would relieve some pressure off of Kovalev and maybe even inspire him to play more responsibly defensively. But much of this is dependant on the outcome of a situation I have declined to write about, until now. Dany Heatley.

About a month ago, media reports surfaced about Dany Heatley requesting a trade out of Ottawa. For all of the speculation that has occurred since, there is still not a clear picture of exactly why Heatley wants out. The consensus seems to be that it has much to do with coach Cory Clouston, and his technique of taking ice time away from players he feels aren't giving 100%. Heatley was apparently upset about spending what he felt was too much time on the second line under Clouston.
When Heatley requested the trade, he provided a list of teams he wanted to go to: the Kings, Rangers, Sharks, Red Wings, Blackhawks, Canucks, and Bruins. When the trade request and list of potential teams were mysteriously leaked, the story blew up. So close to draft day and free agency, many felt that Heatley was "handcuffing" Senators GM Bryan Murray, especially since the list was out. Heatley was publicly blasted by Leafs GM Brian Burke, and Kings assistant GM Ron Hextall.
But then, on the eve of July 1st, there was a deal. Only, the deal didn't work out. The proposed trade would have sent Heatley to the Edmonton Oilers for a return of Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner, and Ladislav Smid. Heatley, however, declined to waive the no-movement clause in his contract...after demanding a trade. Sure Edmonton was never on Heatley's list, but the whole thing was a real blow to the Senators organization, not to mention the three Edmonton players who are now stuck where they are apparently not wanted.

Presently, rumours indicate that the Oilers may still be in the running for Heatley, as it has been speculated that he may waive the NMC after all. The Columbus Blue Jackets, another team that wasn't on Heatley's list, are also rumoured to be trying to land him. Of the teams on the list, only the San Jose Sharks seem to be a possible destination, though I think it unlikely.
Others think Heatley will remain a Senator.

In other NHL news, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke signed another defenceman, Francois Beauchemin. Beauchemin played under Burke for the Anaheim Ducks, helping the team win the Stanley Cup in 2007.

Other notables were Rick Nash agreeing to a long-term deal keeping him in Columbus, and Ryan Clowe signing on in San Jose for another four years.

Check back soon for news about the Free Agent situation in Chicago, and more signings!

- Josh Lind

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Who came out on top?

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While the 2009 NHL entry draft may not have been as explosive as some would have liked, there were definitely a few teams who made a splash. Trade rumours always abound leading up to the draft, but this year we were hearing the names of guys like Tomas Kaberle, Chris Pronger, Jay Bouwmeester, Vincent Lecavalier, Dany Heatley, Phil Kessel, Alexander Frolov, Mike Cammalleri, Martin Havlat, and Jean-Sebastien Giguere. In the end, only Pronger and (the rights to) Jay Bouwmeester were moved [...]

Philadelphia acquired Chris Pronger and Ryan Dingle from Anaheim in exchange for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, Anaheim's first round picks in 2009 and 2010, and a conditional third round pick. This gives Philadelphia one of the most solid defence corps in the league, with Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Matt Carle, and Randy Jones. Also a very offensively gifted team, the Flyers will be one of the clubs pushing for the top spot in the East.
For their part, the Ducks got a disciplined, 20-goal right winger in Lupul. It will be interesting to see whom he plays with, though, as the Ducks now have four solid guys in the RW position with Lupul, Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, and Teemu Selanne.

The Calgary Flames acquired the rights to Jay Bouwmeester from the Florida Panthers for Jordan Leopold and a third round pick. While a contract has yet to be drawn up, Calgary GM Daryl Sutter expressed his belief that Bouwmeester would be signed before free agency opens Wednesday, July 1st. I don't doubt it, and with Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, and Robyn Regehr manning the blue line, the Flames, like the Flyers, will have a defence corps to be rivalled.

But aside from the trades, which teams drafted bet? The New York Islanders did well, picking up not just John Tavares (1st overall) but also stealing Mikko Koskinen with the 31st pick. Koskinen was the first goaltender taken in the draft, and rightly so. He is a towering 6'7'' and weighs in at 192 pounds, and he has virtually taken the Finnish elite league by storm. The Islanders have Rick Dipietro locked up for the next 13 years, but everyone is susceptible to injuries and cold streaks - Koskinen will ensure the Isles have dependable guys between the pipes for years to come.

The Atlanta Thrashers also did great at the draft. They got the explosive Evander Kane (4th overall) who should end up being a great fit with Ilya Kovalchuk and Brain Little. They also stole a hardworking power forward, Carl Klingberg, with the 34th pick, and goaltender Edward Pasquale, with the 117th. Pasquale himself is a huge goaltender 6'2'', 218 pounds, with a great set of skills and a disciplined approach. Kane, Klingberg, and Pasquale should all figure in prominently to the Thrashers' rebuilding plans.

The Colorado Avalanche had the 3rd pick in the draft and selected Matt Duchene from the Brampton Battalion. Duchene has been compared to Steve Yzerman, and many thought he had the chance of superseding both Tavares and Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman for the #1 pick. But the Avalanche also managed to wrestle out a steal, grabbing defenceman Stefan Elliott with the 49th pick in the draft. Elliott plays a complete game as a defenceman, great positionally while still able to provide timely offensive contributions. Selecting both Duchene and Elliott helped get most of the bases covered for the Avalanche. Now if only they could find a reliable goalie...

The Tampa Bay Lightning grabbed hulking d-man Victor Hedman with the 2nd pick, and yet managed to also walk away with a steal. They got a hardworking, versatile forward with the 29th pick when they selected Carter Ashton. The Lightning have some management issues to work out, but they have a great mix of players (Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos, Vaclav Prospal, Ryan Malone, etc.) and now, with Hedman and Ashton, some promising young talent in the fold. They should again become a team to rival soon.

The Islanders, Thrashers, Avalanche, and Lightning all were expected to do well - seeing as they had the first four picks - but they each managed to make a few steals along the way, and surpassed expectations. The team that surprised me the most, though? The Detroit Red Wings. It isn't natural that a team who finished so well, and picking second last, walk away from a draft the way they did. They got both Landon Ferraro (32nd overall) and Tomas Tatar (60th overall). These two are both fast, high scoring forwards and the only reason they were picked so low is because of their size. I like how Detroit takes chances both at the draft, and with smaller players. It has served them very well in the past, and 2009 will be no exception!

- Josh Lind

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