As of 10 am on July 1st creeps closer, lets get you set for the big day with looking at who will be potentially available to the highest bidder. It’s a class with a lot of value and the potential for some very good bargains. But it also has a lot of high end talent available, hence we rank the top 25 July 1st free agents. Not on this list are Joe Sakic and Scott Niedermayer, as both are expected to re-sign with their parent clubs. This has been revised, as I had to take Johnny Oduya off the list.
1. Jay Bouwmeester - While the Calgary Flames have the leg up on any negs, you’ve gotta believe Jay is going to excercise his right to explore unrestricted free agency. He signed a 1 year contract for that express purpose. So while the Flames do have the upper hand, I believe Bouwmeester is going to have lots of options come Wednesday.
2. Marian Hossa - Scott Burnside at ESPN.com said today the chances Detroit will re-sign Hossa are slim. It certainly is a departure from 3 or 4 weeks ago when SI’s Michael Farber reported a long term deal was all but done with the Red Wings. You have to believe his value is going to be very high, and it’s a good bet someone will offer him a raise on the 7.45 million he made last year. Now it’s whether Hossa values the best chance to win, or the best chance to cash in.
3. Mike Cammalleri - After a career best 39 goals and 82 points, Cammalleri couldn’t be entering unrestricted free agency at a better time. The Flames move to acquire the rights to Jay Bouwmeester might indicate the priority level on re-signing Cammy…not very high. He stands to see an increase on his 3.6 million dollar salary from last year, and it wouldn’t be beyond belief to think he could get a 6 year, $35 million deal…or more.
4. Daniel and Henrik Sedin - A TSN report has Canucks GM Mike Gillis flying to Sweden to try and get something done with the prized twins. That’s no guarantee that they will return to Van, even though both parties have a vested interest in keeping them there. IF Gillis and the Canucks are unsuccessful in locking the dynamic duo up, there will be teams willing to sacrifice a lower cap hit for a chance at the Sedins. Will any team other than Vancouver give them 12 years? Probably not. But teams just might throw some hefty money at them on, say, a 5 or 6 year contract.
5. Daniel and Henrik Sedin - See above.
6. Nikolai Khabibulin - He’s easily the best goaltender available via free agency this year, and as such, he’ll probably get quite a few looks. After a great postseason where he helped the Blackhawks reach the Western Conference Finals, Khabibulin will get some offers. The one thing that might temper some outlandish numbers will be his age. Khabibulin is 36 and clearly has lots ahead of him, but he might be looking at a bunch of 2 year contracts.
7. Mike Komisarek - After Bouwmeester, Komisarek might be the most sought after blueliner come Wednesday, for good reason. After making 1.9 million last year, he’s due for a big raise, as he’s got a lot going for him. He’s young (27), he’s respected (many counted him as the defacto leader in the Habs dressing room), and he’s menacing on the ice. At 6′4, 237 pounds he’s got the size and toughness plus the longevity; his 66 games last year was the lowest he’s played in 4 NHL seasons. If Wade Redden could get 6 a season and Mike Commodore could get 4.25 a season, Komisarek should be in line for a pretty impressive pay day.
8. Francois Beauchemin - He’s right up there with Komisarek in terms of valued defencemen beyond Bouwmeester. Again, he was affordable last year at 1.65 million, and he’s turned into one of the most reliable guys in the NHL. He will chip in with respectable offensive numbers, but it’s the job he does in his own end that draws raves. He’s very sound positionally and is extremely calm under pressure. A team like Montreal, desperate for blueliners, might throw more than a good chunk of money at Beauchemin.
9. Martin Havlat - Apparently, the Blackhawks and Havlat are close to signing something new prior to July 1st. However, the hitch seems to be about contract length. I think it’s a fair statement to say Havlat isn’t going to get a raise on his 6 million dollar salary from last year. However, the deal Chicago has on the table was apparently a 1 year deal; Havlat was hoping for something more long term. If someone else comes along and offers the 28 year old Havlat a 4 or 5 year deal, he might be breezing out of the Windy City.
10. Mattias Ohlund - I overlooked him to begin with, but he’s got to be on this list. I don’t quite put him at the level of Komisarek and Beauchemin, but at 32 years of age, he’s still extremely valuable. Taking away the 07-08 season, Ohlund plays 75+ games a year and can log a ton of minutes. He made 3.5 last year and will probably get somewhere between that and 5 a season.
11. Marian Gaborik - He has reportedly been offered numerous contracts over the past year by Minnesota. One of those contracts was rumoured at around 78 million over 10 years. Safe to say after playing just 17 games last season (not dispelling his “injury prone moniker), Gaborik won’t be getting anything close to that. Yes, he’s injury prone; 2 of the last 4 seasons he’s played under 50 games. But he also produces. Gaborik is above a point per game in his last 4 NHL seasons. There will be interest, and I think he’ll end up getting something pretty hefty…but maybe not for 10 years.
12. Brian Gionta - He made 4 mil last season, and will probably be in that range once again. He hasn’t come close to doubling his 89 point season from 2005-2006, but he’s proven to be reliable and feisty playing a 2 way game. He had 20 goals and 60 points last year and is only 30 years old; I think a team might be primed for a bargain with Gionta.
13. Alex Tanguay - Lets start the run of Canadiens, who have close to six thousand free agents. Tanguay didn’t produce the way many had hoped, putting up 41 points in 50 games last year. He’s only 2 seasons removed from a career best 81 points, so he’ll garner some interest.
14. Robert Lang - The one worry on the 38 year old Lang is that injury he suffered that gross leg injury late last season. But on a 1 year contract, he proved he can be very valuable last year. His 39 points in 50 games wasn’t mind blowing, but he was reliable and can probably be had for less than his 4 million from last year.
15. Alex Kovalev - He’d probably be higher if you didn’t take into account all that bizarre stuff surrounding him last season. Rumours have him potentially staying in Montreal (and being named captain). If that doesn’t happen, he’ll get a few offers after a 65 point season.
16. Mathieu Schneider - In the right situation, the 40 year old Schneider can still be effective. In just 23 games with the Habs last season, he put up 17 points; a good indicator of a good situation. As opposed to his 44 games with Atlanta last season where he put up 15 points. Put him in a spot where he can get solid PP minutes and the freedom to lug the puck up ice, and he can still thrive. Once again, he’s a 1 year deal kind of guy.
17. Saku Koivu - Many Habs fans were not happy when the report surfaced Montreal was going to focus on re-signing Kovalev and giving HIM the C, as opposed to trying and bring back Koivu, their long time captain. Is a top producer? No, but he’s consistent and adds a nice voice in the room. Don’t rule out joining his brother in Minnesota.
18. Sergei Zubov - Zubov is much like Schneider, but more injury prone. Plus, we have no idea what he’s thinking when it comes to the future. The 38 year old blueliner has played just 56 games the past 2 seasons, which will scare some teams away. But when healthy, he still has the ability to be one of the most effective powerplay guys in the NHL.
19. Samuel Pahlsson - Pahlsson was a huge reason Chicago got past Vancouver in the 2nd round of the playoffs, and was a big help in their 1st round win over Calgary. He made 1.4 last year and is one of the best 2 way forwards in the NHL. The 1 question might be durability; Pahlsson played 65 games last year and 56 the year before.
20. Mike Knuble - All the guy does is score 20 goals every season. He made 2.8 last year and should be in line for the same price range. The 36 year old Knuble hasn’t scored less than 24 goals his last 6 NHL seasons. He’s a veteran who can produce: he could be a real steal.
21. Mikael Samuelsson - Some value the 32 year old Red Wing more than others. I think he has some value, putting up 40 points the past 2 seasons on a stacked Detroit team. He’s a skilled stick handler and has nice vision around the net. I think he could do some nice things given a bigger role.
22. Ian Laperriere - Colorado would love to re-sign the feisty forward, but if they don’t, there will be a ton of teams knocking on his door. He brings grit, tenacity, and agitation on the ice and a really good nature inside the room. For between 1 or 2 mil, he’s worth it.
23. Kurtis Foster - Some may really disagree with this high ranking, but I think Foster is primed for a real good season. He’s 27 years old and was showing a real ability to take a bigger role on the powerplay with the Wild. Then his gruesome broken leg derailed things and it’s been a long road back. He’s got a shot, he can skate and is still young…I’d like to see someone take a chance.
24. Dwayne Roloson - He’s turning 40 and is reportedly looking for a 2 year deal, but after his run last season, he deserves a contract. Maybe not 2 years, but for a reasonable price, Roloson can still be very effective. He went 28-24-9 last year with an impressive .915 save percentage. He can still play.
25. Erik Cole - I know his stint in Edmonton wasn’t as successful as the Oilers had hoped (he put up 27 points in 63 games), but Cole played 80 games last year split between Edmonton and Carolina and contributes more than just points. While he’s still good for 50 points or so, he also has a tenacious forecheck, a physical edge and a great demeanor inside the locker room.
Not on this list are notable names like Steve Sullivan, Mats Sundin, Todd Bertuzzi, Mike Peca and more. This was a bit of a task, and lots will disagree, but it shows a fairly strong free agent class primed to cash in come Wednesday morning.
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Hey Pat,
Not a bad list…there are also a lot of depth guys out there (too many to make a quick list), and it would not surprise me to see one or two courted by the Flames. As I write this we still have just 24 hours to see if Darryl can sign J-Bo. I wonder if this fails if we won’t see Sutter up the ante on the apparent offer he was tabling to Cammellerri prior to the draft. I can’t help but think that if Cammy agreed to a revised offer (Slim chances they may be) we would still have enough room to see about a Gionta or Foster in a Flames uniform. I also make a prediction based on a couple of “what if’s”.
“IF” Bouwmeester decides on Free Agency and signs elsewhere and “IF” Aucoin is still on the Market by Day 5 or 6, I think we see Adrian back in a Flames Jersey at around a 2 to 2.5m cap hit. But I’ve been wrong before.
PS: I really think you make a good point on the Aucoin thing Bob. I believe Aucoin will be on the market for a bit, and if things with Bouwmeester fall through, I think the Flames will make a go at Adrian. By all acounts, he wants to come back, so there’s nothing wrong with signing a player who wants to be here. As for Cammalleri, I think the Flames have made their direction known…they want a commitment to team defence, and it doesn’t look like Cammalleri will fit there.
- Bob in the AbbeyLaperriere would look really nice in a Flames’ jersey. As well, if Darryl isn’t able to sign up J-Bo perhaps Komisarek would be a decent pickup?
PS: I agree Dave, I think Komisarek would be a GREAT pickup if Bouwmeester falls through. Again, the prevailing thought is that Jay WILL sign here, but stuff happens right? Komisarek is a stud, I think he’d fit perfect here. As for Laperriere, he’d really fit the style a lot of people believe the Flames will play…and he’s a great quote!
- DaveTo echo Dave - if the Bouwmeester deal falls through, it’ll be interesting to see if Sutter goes after someone like a Komisarek or Beauchemin
Never thouhgt i’d still be impatient for info on June 30~
PS: Rob, there’s no question Daryl and the Flames have a commitment to defence, and that showed with the move for Jay’s rights. If this falls through, I wonder if the first thing the Flames do is try and get Aucoin back at a cheaper price and then go after a forward or something. I’ll tell you this much…there isn’t a bigger Komisarek fan on the planet than me. He’s big, tough, gritty, has some offensive skill, and is a leader…I can’t think of any reasons why Sutter wouldn’t go after him if the conditions were right.
- RobWell done Mr. Steinberg. I think you composed a great list, and I agree that Foster may still have a great chance at having a good year provided he’s fully recovered from the leg injury.
I really hope the Flames can sign J-Bo, but if not, I wouldn’t mind seeing Aucoin back (for a heck of a lot less than 4.2M), and I would absolutely love to see them make a push for Laperriere, Komisarek, Foster, Knuble or Beauchemin.
I have also heard a lot of trade rumblings about Ryane Clowe, and I would be beside myself if we were able to somehow get him.
PS: Oh man, I’m one of the biggest Clowe fans out there, I would love to see him come here! The general consensus seems to be that Bouwmeester is going to sign here. Me being cautious, I’m not prepared to be that sure yet…I think there will be some serious money thrown at him tomorrow morning. I think Lappy would be good in any jersey, he fits with any team playing any style, and he’d fit well with the Flames.
- Andycome on JayBo get it done and come to Cowtown
PS: If it happens, I still believe it’ll happen after 10 am on Wednesday…I really think he wants to test the free agent waters, even if it’s only for a little bit.
- billGood list.
As for the Flames, if they can’t get a deal done for Bouwmeester, perhaps Ohlund,Beauchemin, Lang, and Gionta are viable options.
I don’t think Komisarek is an option purely because he’ll have a lot of big money thrown at him right away, and I can only see Sutter going after him if Bouwmeester signed elsewhere. So interested teams will have a huge head start on the Flames. Probably insurmountable.
PS: I agree with you Eric, Komisarek is a guy that is going to either want a lot of money to begin with or have a lot of money thrown at him once free agency begins. All that being said…selfishly, it would be awesome to see him in a Flames jersey. Ohlund is going to want a lot as well…Beauchemin’s salary will be very interesting.
- EricYou can take Bouwmeester off that list.
Biggest off season signing.
Jay Bouwmeester to the Calgary Flames
- Rob CooperBouwmeester - Signed Sealed and Delivered?
I wonder if Sarich is traded now to loosen up cap space? Reggy, Phaneuf and J-Bo will get so much playing time anyway, who needs a top 4 guy like Sarich? I say ship him to a team that was seeking a smooth skating, sturdy man for their back end, and get a good return like a forward and prospect.
- Mack