Chris’ internet is down once again… here are our free agent frenzy predictions from over at the Red Light District!! Enjoy.
Coverage in U.S.:
Wednesday, 2:00 – 6:00 ET on NHL Network
It’s June 30… AKA Christmas Eve. We are exactly 24 hours from the free agents hitting the open market. Here are my predictions of where all the top guys will sign. Last summer, I went 9/38 on my predictions… let’s hope this will be better!
1. Marian Hossa
Favorites: LA & VAN
Dark horse: NYR
Final Prediction: Vancouver (6 years, $39 million)
Note… I have a feeling Mike Gillis will be busy tomorrow given the Sedins are likely walking away. He’ll start with Hossa…
2. The Sedins
Favorites: MTL & TOR
Dark horse: LA
Final Prediction: Toronto (8 years, $48 million/each)
Note… If the Sedins leave VanCity, I’m convinced Brian Burke will table the highest offer.
3. Jay Bouwmeester
Favorite: CGY
Dark horse: VAN
Final Prediction: Calgary (5 years, $32.5 million)
Note… The Flames acquired Jay-Bo’s rights on Saturday; I’m confident a deal will get done by Noon ET tomorrow.
4. Marian Gaborik
Favorites: LA, NYR & VAN
Dark horse: MIN
Final Prediction: NY Rangers (5 years, $31.5 million)
Note… I have a hunch Rangers’ GM Glen Sather will be in on the big guns again. And he will land another star with another stupid lucrative offer.
5. Martin Havlat
Favorites: CHI, LA & WSH
Dark horse: ANA
Final Prediction: Chicago (5 years, $28 million)
Note… Havlat wants to re-sign, and the ‘Hawks want him back. It may take a couple days, but I still expect to see him in the Windy City this fall.
6. Mike Cammalleri
Favorite: ANA, MIN & NSH
Dark horse: NYI
Final Prediction: Minnesota (6 years, $31.5 million)
Note… ‘Cammer’ will have a wide variety of suitors come tomorrow, and the Wild could want him the most. They need a goal-scoring forward to go with Mikko Koivu.
7. Nikolai Khabibulin
Favorites: COL & EDM
Dark horse: Russia
Final Prediction: Edmonton (2 years, $11.5 million)
Note… This seems like a match for both sides. ‘Bulin still wants big money and the Oilers have to get a #1 goalie to truly compete for the division title.
8. Mike Komisarek
Favorites: MTL, NJ & NYI
Dark horse: WSH
Final Prediction: NY Islanders (4 years, $20 million)
Note… It’s entirely possible he goes somewhere not on the radar; but if he does, I’ll say the Isles land the big defenseman.
9. Brian Gionta
Favorites: BUF & VAN
Dark horse: TOR
Final Prediction: Buffalo (4 years, $16 million)
Note… This was my prediction on 6/21, and it hasn’t changed since. Gionta seems like a fit in Buffalo, and they need more punch up front.
10. Mattias Ohlund
Favorites: MTL & TOR
Dark horse: BUF
Final Prediction: Montreal (4 years, $18 million)
Note… Like I said a week ago, if the Habs can’t bring Komisarek back, Gainey will go after Ohlund in a heartbeat.
11. Alexei Kovalev
Favorites: EDM & MTL
Dark horse: WSH
Final Prediction: Montreal (3 years, $14.25 million)
Note… I have no idea where he’s going, so re-signing with Montreal is the pick. Kovalev could make us a wait a while before he signs.
12. Steve Sullivan
Favorites: NSH & NJ
Dark horse: WSH
Final Prediction: Nashville (2 years, $6 million)
Note… Nothing appears close between Sully & the Preds, so he could leave town tomorrow. But as of now, I can’t see him leaving.
13. Alex Tanguay
Favorites: LA, MTL & NYR
Dark horse: COL
Final Prediction: Los Angeles (4 years, $19 million)
Note… The Kings are supposed to make a ‘splash’ in the next couple days. Tanguay could be an under-the-radar ‘splash’.
14. Scott Niedermayer
Favorite: ANA
Dark horse: None
Final Prediction: Anaheim (1 year, $6 million)
Note… Niedermayer has committed to the NHL next year, but hasn’t officially signed a deal yet. It’s most likely with the Ducks.
15. Nik Antropov
Favorite: None
Dark horses: ATL & MIN
Final Prediction: Atlanta (4 years, $16 million)
Note… Antropov’s asking price will have to come down if he signs anywhere; Sather said it’s ‘ridiculous’. The Thrashers could overpay to get him…
16. Martin Biron
Favorites: COL, EDM & NYI
Dark horse: BUF
Final Prediction: Colorado (3 years, $11.25 million)
Note… I think he’ll go to Colorado as they will make him their #1 man in net.
17. Francois Beauchemin
Favorites: ANA, MTL & TOR
Dark horse: NJ
Final Prediction: Toronto (4 years, $15 million)
Note… He’s been a really solid player in Anaheim since the lockout, and could follow Brian Burke to Toronto.
18. Saku Koivu
Favorites: ANA & MIN
Dark horse: SJ
Final Prediction: Anaheim (3 years, $13.2 million)
Note… Koivu is likely leaving Montreal. Anaheim is a legit possibility as he could unite with good friend Teemu Selanne.
19. Chad LaRose
Favorites: BUF, CAR & OTT
Dark horse: PIT
Final Prediction: Carolina (3 years, $6 million)
Note… I think the ‘Canes are smart enough not to let him get away.
20. Mike Knuble
Favorites: ANA, DET & WSH
Dark horse: CBJ
Final Prediction: Washington (2 years, $5.6 million)
Note… Knuble, 36, is still a very valuable forward that can score 20-30 goals a year. A trip to Washington could really help the Caps out.
21. Erik Cole
Favorites: CAR, DAL & NYI
Dark horse: NSH
Final Prediction: Dallas (3 years, $10.5 million)
Note… Carolina could be looking to go in another direction. If so, Cole’s best fit could be in Big D.
22. Johnny Oduya
Favorites: ATL, NJ & SJ
Dark horse: MIN
Final Prediction: New Jersey (4 years, $12 million)
Note… Oduya should be a hot commodity starting tomorrow, but I think the Devils should be able to lock him up.
23. Dwayne Roloson
Favorites: COL, EDM & NYI
Dark horse: TB
Final Prediction: NY Islanders (1 year, $2.7 million)
Note… If the Isles were smart, they’d get a solid goalie as insurance for the oft-injured DiPietro. Roli would be enough for them to at least compete in every game.
24. Rob Scuderi
Favorite: None
Dark horses: 10-15 teams
Final Prediction: San Jose (4 years, $13 million)
Note… Scuderi earned his dough in the last couple postseasons. He’ll be highly valued, and the Sharks may need him the most.
25. Bill Guerin
SIGNED W/ PITTSBURGH… 1 year, $2 million
Note… This is a perfect fit for Guerin as he can still score goals next to Crosby. Good decision by Shero & company to bring him back.
Other notable free agents:
Craig Anderson… Toronto Maple Leafs
Marc-Andre Bergeron… New York Rangers
Todd Bertuzzi… Tampa Bay Lightning
Rob Blake… San Jose Sharks
Mike Comrie… Ottawa Senators
Ty Conklin… Philadelphia Flyers
Ruslan Fedotenko… Pittsburgh Penguins
Manny Fernandez… Los Angeles Kings
Hal Gill… Pittsburgh Penguins
Ales Kotalik… Washington Capitals
Robert Lang… Atlanta Thrashers
Ian Laperriere… San Jose Sharks
Jere Lehtinen… Minnesota Wild
Jordan Leopold… Dallas Stars
Paul Mara… New York Rangers
Derek Morris… Florida Panthers
Samuel Pahlsson… Detroit Red Wings
Taylor Pyatt… Vancouver Canucks
Joe Sakic… Colorado Avalanche
Mikael Samuelsson… Detroit Red Wings
Mathieu Schneider… Montreal Canadiens
Brendan Shanahan… Chicago Blackhawks
Mats Sundin… No one will sign him
Petr Sykora… Russia (KHL)
Joel Ward… Nashville Predators
Jason Williams… Calgary Flames
Greg Zanon… Washington Capitals
Sergei Zubov… Columbus Blue Jackets
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Teams with the most cap space:
1. Montreal ($34.894 mil)
2. Atlanta ($27.837)
3. Phoenix ($26.322)
4. NY Islanders ($25.765)
5. Nashville ($23.163)
Teams with the least cap space:
1. Philadelphia ($4.249 mil)
2. Detroit ($5.545)
3. Ottawa ($5.707)
4. Pittsburgh ($5.762)
5. San Jose ($6.974)
*Cap numbers via nhlnumbers.com
