| There are still a few remaining UFA players available, and here's where I think they could end up, and what type of money they will receive.
Peter Bondra, RW
Bondra will probably be back for another season, and will most likely sign with a lower-level team to help boost their scoring and provide a veteran presence. He'll probably come cheap, in the 1-1.5million range. There's reports he'd like to return to Washington, and they could definitely use the scoring. Atlanta needs the scoring, and he could return there, but it doesn't seem GM Waddell is interested. He could come as a quick-fix for the Canucks' second line, fitting in with Henrik and Daniel, although I'd prefer they give a younger player like King or Schultz the chance.
Mike Dunham and Brian Boucher, G's
Dunham's days as a #1 goalie appear to be over, but he's still young enough to bounce back, and is still a solid back up goalie. He will probably come at under a million, and although there aren't many teams still looking for a backup, New Jersey (the team that drafted him), could be a good fit, although he may not like getting only 10-12 games a year. Now that Garth Snow is the Isles GM, they are in need of a backup. They may go with AHLer Wade Dubielewicz, but Dunham is a more solid option. If Detroit decides to go with Osgood as their #1, Dunham could fit in there. Boucher is in the same situation as Dunham. He's no longer considered a #1, and is a backup at best. Had a horrid season with Calgary last year. There aren't many spots available, and he may start out in the AHL, but he should be back in the NHL by the end of this coming season.
Brad Isbister, LW
Isbister is no longer "the next Todd Bertuzzi", but he is still a solid third line player, with the ability to play on the second line if needed. He should go for around $1.5 a year or less. A lower level team, such as Chicago or Minnesota could use the size he brings.
Brian Leetch, D
Leetch is no longer the superstar he once was, but is still a solid 2nd pairing defenseman. There's talk he may retire, but he likely would have by now if that was in his plans. The Rangers have interest, since losing "offensive" defenseman Tom Poti. He'll probably end up in New York to finish off his career, for something in the range of $2 million.
Eric Daze, LW
Daze's only 30, but unfortunetly it appears his career may be coming to an end. If he gets a clean bill of health, he may be a sleeper pickup by a team this year. He will probably return to Chicago, as they need the offense, and they also know his injury status the best. I don't see any other team taking a chance on him, unless it's for the league minimum.
Manny Legace, G
You've gotta feel bad for Manny. His whole career, he's never been given a chance. Ever since his amazing performance in the World juniors, his size is all anyone cares about. No matter how well he does, he still doesn't get any respect. Manny finishes 5th in Vezina trophy voting last year, but somehow is unable to secure a contract. He was hoping to get Martin Gerber money ($3mil a season), but obviously no one has come calling. There's no many places left for him to go, and he definitely won't get the guaranteed starter position he's looking for. He'll have to settle for a 1A, 1B situation, and it looks like St. Louis is the best option. He'll have to lower his salary demands, probably down to around $1.5mil a year.
Radek Dvorak, RW
Dvorak is a solid forward, and can put up a goal here and there, but he hasn't found much interest in the Free Agent market this season. Edmonton apparantly still has interest, but Dvorak will likely have to settle for around $750k wherever he ends up.
Dick Tarnstrom, D
A few seasons ago, Tarnstrom led the Penguins in scoring. Not that that's saying a whole lot, but it's something. He's not quite the offensive defenseman he was once advertised as, but he's still a solid 2nd PP unit man. He'll likely return to the Oilers if his salary demands aren't outrageous.
Viktor Kozlov, LW
A big guy, at 6'6'', it's too bad he's never become the player he was once touted as. He has all the skill, but can never put it all together. The reason for many coaches receding hairline, he'll still end up somewhere, and as long as the team knows what they're getting, he'll be a good addition. He's still young enough (at 31), to be able to produce a few more decent seasons.
Greg Johnson and Yanic Perreault, C's
The two Nashville centers, basically cast aside at the end of the season, are both still looking for teams to play on. Ottawa and Detroit apparantly have interest in Johnson, and I can see him ending up on the Sens third line. They will both come cheap, even though they had pretty decent seasons. Perreault is one of, if not the, best face-off man in the league... so anyone lacking in that area should take a hard look at him.
Petr Sykora, RW
As one of the better UFA's available, Sykora should end up somewhere any day now. There's been rumors that Edmonton is interested, but I can't see why. They have an abundant of offensive forwards on the team as it is. Washington could be a good fit, as he'd get to play alongside Ovechkin, and may be able to return to his form from a few years ago. He's in the market to get around $1 million per.
Dominik Hasek, G
Hasek will only play for a contender, and will only be a #1 goalie. The only team that fits that bill is Detroit, and it doesn't seem they are interested. It's likely he'll retire.
Jason Allison, C
Allison is still a good number 2 center. Before he suffered through his concussion problems, he was near the top scorers in the NHL. It's likely he'll re-sign with Toronto, if he's willing to take around $1-1.5 mil a season.
Anson Carter, RW
Carter won't be going anywhere until his salary demands decrease. He wants lots, and he wants it long-term. There aren't many teams with the cap space left to pay him. There also aren't many teams with interest in him. The only teams to show interest were the Canucks, Toronto and Los Angeles. Toronto is now out of the bidding, The Canucks can't afford him unless he cuts his asking price in half, and LA may still be interested, but obviously nothing is done yet. Detroit may also be interested, as they need to replace Shanahan, but again... there's that money issue. I'm still unsure where Carter will end up. Someone will probably give him $2mil a year, but he'd be smarter to accept th Canucks' 2 year, 1.8mil contract, as he'd get to be reunited with the Sedins.
Other notable UFA's:
Travis Green, Mike Leclerc, Jan Hrdina, Jim Dowd, Cory Cross, Todd Harvey, Tom Fitzgerald, Valeri Bure, Erik Rasmussen, Martin Rucinsky, Vaclav Varada, Eric Desjardins, Brian Savage, Boyd Devereux, Oleg Kvasha, Konstantin Koltsov, Dean McAmmond, Scott Young, Steve Poapst, Tie Domi, and Richard Park.
-Matt Gunn |
