Silly Season 2009: Free Agents and Trades--Who Goes Where?

With less than two weeks before the starting gun goes off, there are more than a few characters in the upcoming drama "As The Free Agents Turn" who haven't declared their intentions yet...

Among the top forwards:

The Sedin Brothers
Marian Hossa
Marian Gaborik
Martin Havlat

...and is Mats Sundin still a factor?

The dazzling d-men are led by Jazzy Jay Bouwmeester, but who might tip the scales in the bidding war? Names who are still sitting 'on the fence', but likely to make a splash, or at least a significant ripple...

Mike Komisarek
Francois Beauchemin
Matthias Ohlund

...does Sergei Zubov re-up in Dallas, or might he seek more shekels elsewhere?

Among the pipe patrollers, are there any who pop out and shout "Sign Me"?

Is 'Smarty Marty' Biron the best of a suspiciously skinny selection?

Some big paydays might be on the way...talk of the constricting Cap be diddled.

And who are 'the bargains' out there?

To refresh everyone's memory ...here's the link to NHLNumbers' handy dandy list:

http://nhlnumbers.com/freeagents.php

Budaj is an RFA? I thought he'd been in the league more than a few years.

On the goalie side of things, I'd skip Biron. He's like Gerber -- good for stretches, but has pretty much proven he's not a #1. He'll find himself a backup role somewhere eventually and become worth his (reduced) salary, but for now, there's probably another GM that will throw $2M+ at him. I don't want to be that GM so I'll pass.

Lehtonen is a good young goalie, especially if he stays healthy (is he training with Greco, too?) but his salary is a little high. An offer sheet over $3M will require a 1st and a 3rd, and you add a 2nd if you go over $3.9M. Again, I'd stay away.

Elliott, on the other hand, would likely jump at $2M, which would only cost a 2nd rounder. If Heatley is not yet moved, would the Sens match? Do they need a $2M backup? That's only $1M more than what they are paying Auld, so they would probably match. They could always have him start the season in Bingo until Hetley is traded, if they are that close to the cap -- I don'g think they will be, but it's there. So it would probably take $3M, and a 1st plus a 3rd. Probably too much for a goalie with that little experience.

Khabibulin has shown this past season that he still has some fire left in him. And with the cap coming down while his age creeps up, there's no way he could expect another $6.75M. Would he take $4M on a 1-2 year deal to help being up a hot youngster who needs alittle more time maturing? Maybe that's what the Habs should have done, but it's too late now.

What's the skinny on Pogge? The Leafs are courting the "Monster" (and if TSN covers a gam in which he does well, will we be able to tolerate McGuire? please, someone, anyone, hires this guy as your GM), so does this mean they've lost confidence in Pogge?

I'd take a look at some of the veterans for a short-term deal. Maybe 1 or 2 years to help bring along a prospect. Guys like Kolzig, Roloson, Legace, Khabibulin.

If I was looking for someone to be a starter for me for many years, I'm not sure. Lehtonen *may* be that guy, but he's making big money already and has he ever played a full season? Clemmenson deserves a full-time chance. He could be another Tim Thomas, but I'd go 1-2 years on a deal at $1.5 and see where he goes. If he proves to be a bust as a starter, then you have a $1.5M backup in the second year of the contract -- not a big deal.

I'm probably missing some gems out there, but I just don't know that many of them. There is a reason why they are UFAs or RFAs and not yet signed. Those that are worth it, will be signed soon.

What a depressing list of UFAs.

I'll take Gionta and call it a day.

SpezDispenser wrote:What a depressing list of UFAs.

I'll take Gionta and call it a day.

Albeit this would give us only one top-6 winger 6'0" or higher.

Unless we add one in the Heatley trade.

asq2 wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:What a depressing list of UFAs.

I'll take Gionta and call it a day.

Albeit this would give us only one top-6 winger 6'0" or higher.

Unless we add one in the Heatley trade.

Hopefully we add Michalek or Clowe, but yeah...

At least Alfie plays like he's 6'3", and Foligno is 6'0"....

Wow, point taken.

I think there will always be hype around FA season and it'll average out to the same amount of movement as usual personally.

I can't wait to see which GM is going to be the first to ruin the off season by over paying the player lool.

shield4life wrote:I can't wait to see which GM is going to be the first to ruin the off season by over paying the player lool.

Don't they all 'over pay'?

davetherave wrote:

shield4life wrote:I can't wait to see which GM is going to be the first to ruin the off season by over paying the player lool.

Don't they all 'over pay'?

depends on the player and how the GM values the player, I believe that Brian Campbell is overpayed, but the Chicago GM could say that is the perfect value for him, its all circumstantial.

shield4life wrote:Chicago GM could say that the contract is the perfect value but the fans sure hate Campbell.

after this year, no kidding eh, I remember Bowman ripped Campbell pretty good during the playoffs this year, at least a couple times.

shield4life wrote:I can't wait to see which GM is going to be the first to ruin the off season by over paying the player lool.

I can't wait as well.

Although if it's us overpaying Bow, then I'll shut up.

SpezDispenser wrote:

shield4life wrote:I can't wait to see which GM is going to be the first to ruin the off season by over paying the player lool.

I can't wait as well.

Although if it's us overpaying Bow, then I'll shut up.

you better include that one there mister, no overpaying on our side anymore.

SensFan71 wrote:

shield4life wrote:Chicago GM could say that the contract is the perfect value but the fans sure hate Campbell.

after this year, no kidding eh, I remember Bowman ripped Campbell pretty good during the playoffs this year, at least a couple times.

Still beating this dead horse, eh.

Yes, some Detroit fans sure hate Campbell. Some Detroit fans hate everything about the Blackhawks, too. Some Wings fans distort the facts about the Hawks, perhaps due to this irrational hatred. One only has to visit the various Red Wings fan blogs to see the evidence of this irrational hatred. Irrational, because many great players have played for both teams.

The facts are being distorted here by Shield4Life. That post of Shield's is 'flaming'.

BTW, there is no hate for the Wings on this forum, in fact there are some ardent Wings supporters. I myself have expressed great respect for the Detroit organization. And there are a number of posters here, who quite like the Blackhawks as well.

And why not? Two fine teams with a storied rivalry.

So, no 'flaming', please.

SF71, when exactly did Bowman 'rip Campbell...at least a couple times'? That's also 'flaming'...or do you have the evidence of the supposed Bowman ripping on multiple occasions?

So, let's look at the facts.

Let's see...Wings paid Hossa $7,45MM.

Hawks paid Campbell $7,14MM.

Wings played six playoff games than the Hawks...no Stanley Cup.

Hossa earned about $7095 per game.

Campbell earned about $7360 per game.

If my calculations are correct...but feel free to correct me.

Dale Tallon was very frank about having 'overpaid' for Campbell; as he said, market conditions and the Hawks' need for an impact like Campbell justified the choice.

Hawks improved their point standing by 16 points over last season, and went from ninth in the West to third on points and fourth seed. This was their best regular season record since 1992-93, and Campbell was a major contributor to this spectacular improvement.

Now, let's look at the Wings: their total points declined by 3 over last season, as they went from first in the West to second, and first in the league overall to third.

So they didn't improve even though they hired Hossa.

Hm...maybe it's the Wings who over paid.

And by the way, this thread is about 'who goes where next year'. May I suggest we return to the topic.

Hossa may or may not return to the Red Wings next year, including rumours he may sign in Chicago.

Campbell is the subject of trade speculation, including a rumoured swap for Dany Heatley.

But then, these are just rumours at this point.

Have an enjoyable afternoon, everyone.

A major difference between Hossa and Campbell is that Campbell is signed for 6 more years. I really wonder what he'll be worth in 2, 3, or even 6 years. My bet is nowhere near $7 million per.

Lucky Day wrote:A major difference between Hossa and Campbell is that Campbell is signed for 6 more years. I really wonder what he'll be worth in 2, 3, or even 6 years. My bet is nowhere near $7 million per.

Lucky AKA Hemlock, welcome back. I see we have a trend of name changing...first Tukker, then CronenbergFan, then Heater...

You are correct about the difference in the term of the contracts.

One can debate whether or not hockey players are worth $7 million plus per year, whether their names are Hossa, Campbell, Heatley or Joe Blow.

But that debate, while it has some relevance, is not the central topic of this thread.

Perhaps you would like to start one on that specific subject...?

I'm horrified of a Campbell for Heatley trade because of Campbell's term. I would think about it if he had 4 more years left, but 7? Can't do it.

SpezDispenser wrote:I'm horrified of a Campbell for Heatley trade because of Campbell's term. I would think about it if he had 4 more years left, but 7? Can't do it.

Spez, I would be very surprised if Mr Bryan Murray and Mr Dale Tallon consummated such a deal.

However, as we have seen in the wonderful and wacky world of hockey, anything is possible.

^Agreed. That is a key point to the contract and to the argument against that trade. That's why Bryan Murray bailed out on signing Campbell in the first place, no?