The draft just passed and the NHL Free Agency period, which starts on July 1st, is inching closer and closer. This is gearing up to be a VERY busy and active off-season.
GOALTENDERS
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Ryan Miller – There isn’t really any big news to tell on where Ryan Miller might end up. I still keep hearing Anaheim, but I’m not sold on that idea as they seem confident with Andersen and Gibson. Pittsburgh is another name that I have heard, but I still think they will bring in Brodeur to play with Fleury, unless they think they need a clean slate in goal.
Evgeni Nabokov – I have heard that the Caps could be interested in bringing in Nabokov to play with Holtby, but the Flyers might be the team to watch as they are not bringing Ray Emery back. The Wild could also be interested.
Tim Thomas – New Jersey and Pittsburgh could be the teams to watch. Thomas would do well as a back up now and playing behind Schneider in Jersey could be a great fit. Philadelphia is another name I am hearing.
Tomas Vokoun – The Washington Capitals might be interested in bringing back Vokoun to play behind Holtby, and Vokoun might be very intersted to play under Trotz and Mitch Korn, Vokoun’s former goalie coach in Nashville. He, like most of the other aging goalies, is most likely going to be in a back up role, and it seems to be the same teams kicking tires.
Cam Ward – Ward’s days in Carolina are most likely over, and it’s possible that the Capitals (they keep popping up) might take a look. He has a high cap hit, so I doubt that rumor is true, but stranger things have happened. The Caps could trade Grabovski’s contract to Carolina before he hits the market. Canes GM Ron Francis may have to eat some of Ward’s $6.3M salary for two years. The Flames might also be interested as Brian Burke is a big fan of Ward. The Sharks might also be interested.
Jonas Hiller -Vancouver keeps coming as a possible destination for Hiller, and there could even be an exchange for his rights if the Canucks part with Ryan Kesler during the draft. The Wild might still be in interested, and the Caps, although I haven’t heard anything, might kick the tires.
James Reimer – His name has popped up as a trade candidate, and it’s possible that Vancouver’s interested. San Jose may kick tires, too, but look out for Calgary and Brian Burke.
DEFENSEMAN
Courtesy: Fox Sports/MSN
Dan Boyle – The Islanders will not be signing Boyle after trading for his rights. Detroit, New York (Rangers) and Pittsburgh all seem like the best bets for Boyle. The Senators were said to have been interested, but not so much anymore. The Flyers will probably not want to sign another aging veteran.
Dion Phaneuf – Edmonton keeps coming up in Phaneuf rumors, and that makes the most sense. Calgary could also be a destination, but not sure they want to go that route during a re-build. Oddly enough, the Capitals’ name won’t go away in rumors I’ve been hearing. They could make a move for him to play with Mike Green, but Toronto would have to eat some of Phaneuf’s big contract. I cannot see Phaneuf coming to DC, but, again, stranger things have happened and GMBM needs to make an impact move.
Andre Markov – His time is up in Montreal due to Subban’s new contract coming up soon. Markov is 35, but can still make an impact for a team looking for a puck moving defeseman. The Red Wings are the best bet, but look out for Edmonton.
Brooks Orpik – He’s getting older, but he can still make an impact on the back end. The Caps should at least kick the tires. The Avalanche and Red Wings are teams that could be interested. I wonder if Dallas and Edmonton are looking as well.
Matt Niskanen – He’s coming off a good year, but the Penguins don’t want to overpay. A bridge deal could work, but if they don’t sign him before the 1st, someone like Detroit could swoop in and offer him a big deal. Whoever the new coach in Pittsburgh is will impact his decision.
FORWARDS
Courtesy: USA Today
Ryan Kesler – He wants to go to Pittsburgh, but would the Penguins give what Vancouver is asking? There is a rumor that the Maple Leafs offered up Reimer and Kadri, and Toronto could still be a landing place for Kesler. Since the Rangers have decided to buy out Brad Richards, they may still be in the mix. Chicago would be very interesting, but Patrick Sharp would have to be dealt first. The Ducks, Lightning and New Jersey have also been linked.
Brad Richards – He’s been bought out by the Rangers and will be making a lot of money, so that could work in negotiating a deal with cash strapped teams. However, Richards proved to be a great leader for the Rangers, and althought he didn’t have the best season, he still has a ton to offer teams.
Dany Heatley – No word on Heatley, other than he probably won’t be re-signed by the Wild. He could easily take on a small role, and could even break out again and scored 30 goals. I wouldn’t even mind seeing the Caps take a chance. He’s an interesting free agent.
Paul Stastny – Contract negotiations have apparently started with Colorado, but there hasn’t been a break through yet. The Avs want to keep he and O’Reilly, but they can’t break the bank either. St. Louis still remains the most notable landing spot for Stastny. Toronto could even be interested if they don’t re-sign Dave Bolland. Stastny really likes playing in Colorado with Landeskog and MacKinnon.
Ryan O’Reilly – Toronto would love to have ROR, but so would the Flames. The Avs may have to let him go if they want to re-sign Stastny and bring in defensive help. ROR’s rights could be traded at the draft.
Jason Spezza – Tons of speculation out there from Dallas to Nashville, Toronto to Anaheim. The Senators won’t give him up cheap either. A trade could happen before the draft. Watch for the Rangers to possibly sneak in now that Richards is out.
Saku Koivu – The Ducks will not be bringing Koivu back. No word that he’s going to retire or go for another year or two. He’s a great leader with great hockey sense and would be a great fit for a young team who needs direction.
Joe Thornton – He still wants to stay in San Jose, but it’s looking more and more like he’ll be traded. Detroit and Toronto are two places that he’s said he’d love to play in, but do they have the means to get big Joe? Anaheim is also kicking the tires, but not sure San Jose would really like Thornton so close. An Eastern Conference team makes sense.
Tomas Vanek – The Wild are no longer a slam dunk for Vanek, as his playoff performance may have hurt his status. Phoenix is a team to watch here. Possibly Nashville.
Ryan Callahan – He may be sticking around in Tampa as the Lightning have been talking to his agent about re-signing. He’s going to be overpaid, but he does bring a lot to the ice. Buffalo is still willing to go all out to get him if he doesn’t re-sign in Tampa.
Steve Ott – The Flyers are the best bet, but possibly the Caps could kick tires.
Jarome Iginla – The Bruins loved having him around last year, and it was looking like he’d re-sign, but there are indications that he may hit the market. The Capitals are apparently very interested in bringing Iginla to DC. He’s a leader and can help this team in the locker room as well as the ice. The Red Wings are also a team to watch as they are always interested in bringing in aging vets.
LOTS more to come…
