As the free spending has died down a bit in the NHL, there are still a few quality names left for teams who have been quiet thus far. The top tier free agents may be gone, but there is no doubt there are players left who will impact some teams' playoff runs next season. These are the 10 best will give some teams a reason to be optimistic in 2007-2008.
1. Brendan Shanahan - Despite his age, 38, Shanahan still has some tread left on his tires and he proved last season that he is still an elite scorer. He notches 29 goals and 67 total points, a stat line that could benefit a team like Buffalo or Ottawa greatly. Odds are he resigns with the blueshirts, but with all the spending Sather has done, the right price could entice him to move on. The results of Sean Avery's and Henrik Lundqvist's arbitration hearings could also impact Shanny's destination.
2. Sheldon Souray - The best offensive defenseman in the game, Souray will improve some team's power play by leaps and bounds next season. His -28 plus/minus on defense may be the snag in his contract negotiations, but his 26 goals and 38 helpers say otherwise. Montreal's mediocre team didn't help Souray's cause, but nevertheless, some team will be getting a phenomenal offensive force in the coming days. The New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, and New York Islanders are all possible destinations for Souray.
3. Peter Forsberg - Maybe a Roger Clemens type situation, word has it Forsberg may not return until December, but he will definitely help some team's offense next season. Injury concerns will no doubt affect his price and teams' hesitancy to commit to him, but a team such as Detroit, Ottawa, Philadelphia, or Colorado could use his veteran leadership and puck handling come April.
4. Michael Peca - No longer a huge offensive force, but a good two-way player who will bring leadership to whatever team brings him aboard. Toronto and Montreal are two likely destinations for the 33 year old center.
5. Alexei Yashin - No player has endured the pressure that Yashin has had to deal with while in New York and given the right situation, he could really thrive. He tabulated 50 points in 58 games, not too shabby, yet if you listened to the NY media, the assumption would be he was a bum. If picked up by a team like the Maple Leafs or Canadiens, Yashin could experience a resurgence out of the lime light and the monster contract.
6. Danny Markov - This tough 30 year old defenseman will most likely wind up with either the Islanders or Sabres. A second line defenseman, Markov is still relatively young and will help whichever team loses out on the Souray sweepstakes.
7. Teemu Selanne - Possibly headed for retirement, Selanne is still under 40 and has some miles left. 48 goals and 46 assists say he could end up a steal if the right offer is presented to him. Rumors have Philadelphia a possible target. A return to Anaheim is also not out of the question.
8. Brian Berard - The fast skating defenseman could help some teams power play unit with his shot from the point. He will step in on the second unit with some team once the signings of more of the second tier UFAs begin. The Islanders could be a possible landing spot if they miss out on Souray and Markov after the loss of Poti. Dallas and Atlanta are also possibilities.
9. Aaron Miller - Another defenseman who will prove a consolation prize for the teams who lose out on Souray and Markov and who missed out on Rafalski and Schneider. The 36 year old defenseman is not a long term solution, but he possesses good size and will help out either Buffalo or San Jose.
10. David Aebischer - Not a player that will step in and start for a contending team but Aebischer could get a starting gig in Phoenix and make a significant impact next season for the Coyotes.
So there you have it, 10 players who are still available that should keep hockey fans fingers on the mouse ready to click refresh on TSN.ca.
After watching the Atlantic Division improve by leaps and bounds, his own team being pillaged in the process, New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello must now surrender to UFA defenseman Sheldon Souray's demands.
It is believed Souray is seeking in excess of $6 million per season, which is well within the realm of what a player of his caliber should expect. After seeing aging and declining players at his respective position receive lucrative contracts, the soon-to-be 31 year old free agent who notched 26 goals at the point last season should get what he earned: a hefty contract. After Brian Rafalski, 33, signed for $30 million over a five year span and Mathieu Schneider, 38, ink eda 2 year deal worth $11.25 million, Souray should see a raise from his $2.43 million contract last season with the Montreal Canadiens.
It was believed Lamoriello had re-acquired Souray, the former Devils' defenseman who was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens for Vladimir Malakhov in March of 2000. Rumors swirling throughout the NHL had Souray ready to sign a 5 year contract to an undisclosed amount, but the deal hit a snag and now the San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders have emerged as serious players for the sharp-shooting defenseman's services.
This stalemate that Devils GM Lou Lamoriello finds himself in is entirely of his own doing. With just over $30 million in salary committed to next season's roster, Lamoriello has close to $20 million to fine-tune his group of warriors in any way he sees fit. With Scott Gomez bolting across the river to the rival Rangers and Brian Rafalski leaving to play for his hometown Red Wings, the Devils find themselves in a much deeper hole than the one they finished last season in, a five game exit in the second round at the hands of the Ottawa Senators. With $13 million and change leaving town, the ball is now in Lamoriello's court to restock this once feared eastern power.
With the Rangers adding Gomez and Buffalo's Chris Drury, the Flyers Daniel Briere, Joffrey Lupul, and Jason Smith, and The Islanders Mike Comrie and former Devil Bill Guerin, New Jersey is now forced to simply break even in an attempt to compete in the now fierce Atlantic Division. While Dainus Zubris, Karel Rachunek, and Kevin Weekes have all been shrewd signings, there will be no way to replace the offense the team lost earlier this week if Souray puts on a sweater with any colors other than red and black. The Devils will move into a new home next season in Newark, NJ, but will anyone come to see them in the Prudential Center if every other night provides a ####-hum 2-1 decision? The Devils saw Continental Airlines Arena fill up just once all of last season (including the playoffs) despite boasting a second seed in the eastern conference and another Atlantic Division championship. The Devils next season starts now, and so far Lamoriello's "fiscal responsibility" could hamper it before it even begins. The respected Devils' GM does not want to repeat history by overpaying for aging stars like he did when the lockout ended (Malakhov, McGillis, and Mogilny), but at this point, one star is better than no star. Brian Rafalski was deemed too expensive at $6 million per season, but Souray is a considerable upgrade over the smooth-skating Rafalski. He would also be a considerable upgrade over any offensive or defensive option the Devils could fathom after Souray poured in 26 goals and dished out 38 helpers last season with the Habs.
The New York Yankees could end up paying Roger Clemens millions for eight or nine wins this season in the AL east, but for the Devils, the difference between 10-15 wins may only be a few hundred thousand dollars away. Should Souray escape the Devils for a second time, the answer to New Jersey's offseason quandary next year will not lie behind the bench or in the roster, but quite possibly in the GM's seat.
