2008 NHL Free Agents
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With the 2008 NHL Free Agency opening just around the corner, on July 1st, I though I would take a look at what kind of players are still available.
With negotiations coming to a halt, Minnesota Wild left winger Brian Rolston might be shopping around this season to see what kind of deal he could get with another team. Last year Rolston played 81 games scoring 31 goals with 28 assists for a total of 59 points. At 35 years of age, and a $2.5 million price tag, he might be too much of a risk for most teams, but if you ask me, he would be a great signing for any team. With the rate of todays players, $2.5 mil for 31 goals and around 60 points, is a fair deal. I would like to see him wearing a Canucks uniform next year but I don’t see that happening.
Michael Ryder, a right winger for the Montreal Canadians is another UFA that has been highly talked about. However, with his 14 goals and 17 assists in 70 games last season I think his 3 million dollar price tag is way too high. I would not like to see him in a Canucks uniform next season… unless he accepted $1.5-2 million max.
Ryan Malone is a big left winger for the Penguins that has earned the attention of many GM’s from around the league. It has been said that he will most likely be making $5 million or more next season compared to his $1.5 million salary from last season. With 27 goals and 24 assists for a total of 51 points in 77 games last season, I think he earned a raise to around 3-3.5 million dollars next season, but as usual GM’s will be willing to overpay just to sign a player. I would like to see Malone in a ‘Nucks jersey next year, hopefully with a pricetag of around 4 million per season. I can see him being signed by the Canucks but I think if it does happen it will be for more then $5 million a season.
Marian Hossa is another UFA from Pittsburgh that will be shopping around to see what offers are out there. What can I say about this guy? I think he is an over-rated and over-payed player. I just don’t see how his 29 goals and 37 assists justify his $7 million price tag, and most likely $8 million or more next season. I have to laugh at myself when I see fans on the Canucks forum saying how Mike Gillis should sign Hossa, these are the same fans that were whining for Naslund to be traded because he only had 25 goals and 30 assists last season with a price tag of $6 million. I would not like to see Hossa signed by the Canucks, not for that price.
Another notable player that might be available to other teams is Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin. With his 32 goals and 46 assists for a total of 78 points in 74 games last season his 5.5 million dollar price tag is more then fair. Granted, Sundin is pushing 38 years old, but I still believe he has at least 2 or 3 more years left in him. I would love to see Mats Sundin playing for Vancouver next year but I doubt that will happen. I see him either retiring or signing with another East Coast team.
Among lots of other players available, the Vancouver Canucks have a number of players that are UFA’s this season. Most notably are Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison. I would like to see both of these players re-signed by Canucks management… for a pay-cut of course. Out of the two, I think the only player that we might see in a Vancouver jersey next season is Morrison. Naslund will be picked up by an Eastern team that will be willing to pay him top dollar. I hope that happens, and I hope he finds his stride again, he was a great player for us here in Vancouver.
Ok, I know there are a lot of other free agents available but I am going to limit how many I post about. Instead I want to poll all of you about them, to see who you think the best player available is. Im talking about the best player available for the amount of money they will most likely be signed for.
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