Ryan was great enough to give us a very comprehensive preview on the TOP UFA’s last year. It is time to illustrate just how inexact a science this is.
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…
Hossa wound up going to Chicago for 12 years, 71.4 million
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.
I am giving Ryan partial credit as the Twins were signed at 5 yrs around 30 mill/each
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.
BINGO! Ryan was on the $$ here.
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.
Again Ryan nailed another one. yes….Gaborik got 37.5 over 5 but its hard enough to guess team then try terms on for size…not easy.
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.
Havlat bolted Chicago and wound up going to Minnesota at about 5 million per year.
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.
Montreal was smart and got in on “Cammer” with a nice 5 yr/30 mill deal.
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.
Edmonton signed him to 4 years at about 15 million….did not turn out so well for the Bulin wall.
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.
In the end Toronto stepped in and overpaid Komisarek at 5 yrs, 22.5 mill
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.
Montreal swooped in and nabbed Gionta at 5 million per year. For 5 years too!
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.
Tampa shocked everyone with the 7 year deal….and the circus music was going!!!
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.
Wound up stuck in Ottawa for 2 years at about 5 million per. Seems head still in Montreal.
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.
Ryan knew the man…and Sullivan stayed home!
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’.
Tanguay wound up eventually going to Tampa 1 year at 3.5 million.
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.
Easy pickings on this one….Ryan right on the money!!!
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…
Ryan nailed it as Antropov signed right around 16 mill for 4 years.
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.
Biron went to Long Island and probably wishes he did not.
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.
Beauchemin did go 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.
Bingo again…..Ryan on a roll! Not quite right on the term though.
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.
Another one right for Ryan!
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.
You get the idea……
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.
Cole wound up staying in Carolina…who knew?
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.
Bingo again!
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.
So Rolo signed 2 years…..big deal!
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.
Scuderi went to LA….but Ryan had the right state.
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.
Another one for the belt buckle……..
Other notable free agents:
Craig Anderson… Toronto Maple Leafs (AVS)
Marc-Andre Bergeron… New York Rangers (HABS)
Todd Bertuzzi… Tampa Bay Lightning (WINGS)
Rob Blake… San Jose Sharks (YES)
Mike Comrie… Ottawa Senators (YES)
Ty Conklin… Philadelphia Flyers (BLUES)
Ruslan Fedotenko… Pittsburgh Penguins (D’oh!)
Manny Fernandez… Los Angeles Kings (D’oh!)
Hal Gill… Pittsburgh Penguins (MTL)
Ales Kotalik… Washington Capitals (KHL this year?)
Robert Lang… Atlanta Thrashers (YES)
Ian Laperriere… San Jose Sharks (FLYERS)
Jere Lehtinen… Minnesota Wild (DALLAS)
Jordan Leopold… Dallas Stars (PANTHERS)
Paul Mara… New York Rangers (HABS)
Derek Morris… Florida Panthers (YOTES)
Samuel Pahlsson… Detroit Red Wings (BJ’s)
Taylor Pyatt… Vancouver Canucks (YES)
Joe Sakic… Colorado Avalanche (Retired)
Mikael Samuelsson… Detroit Red Wings (CANUCKS)
Mathieu Schneider… Montreal Canadiens (CANUCKS)
Brendan Shanahan… Chicago Blackhawks (Retired eventually)
Mats Sundin… No one will sign him (Bye bye)
Petr Sykora… Russia (KHL) (WILD)
Joel Ward… Nashville Predators (YES)
Jason Williams… Calgary Flames (LA)
Greg Zanon… Washington Capitals (WILD)
Sergei Zubov… Columbus Blue Jackets (HURT)
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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
Ryan got 13.5 right out of the top 25 he had. Folks that is over 50%…right about 54% by my math which is just extraordinary. It will be interesting to see what he does with a more shallow UFA class this year. THOUGHTS???
