Free Agent Thread 2017
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Habs4Life
Well-known member
Hockey News Top 30...
1. KEVIN SHATTENKIRK, D, 28
2016-17 cap hit: $4,250,000
Right-handed blueliners in the prime of their careers who can play 20-plus minutes a night get PAID on the open market. Shattenkirk is also one of the sport's premier offensive defensemen. He should earn as much coin as anyone this summer, even if he's had a spotty playoffs.
2. ALEXANDER RADULOV, RW, 30
2016-17 cap hit: $5,750,000
Boom-bust signing went boom for Habs. He brought offense and infectious energy from the KHL, and his agent says he wants to re-sign. More than just a complementary scorer. Makes teammates better and can take over games.
3. T.J. OSHIE, RW, 30
2016-17 cap hit: $4,175,000
Enjoyed career year as first-line right winger in D.C. with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Caps would be wise to keep him, but he won't come cheaply.
4. BEN BISHOP, G, 30
2016-17 cap hit: $5,590,000
Injuries and a trade that banished him to backup status in L.A. cost him some money, but he's still the top UFA goalie. Calgary rumors make so much sense that it almost feels like a foregone conclusion that he signs there.
5. KARL ALZNER, D, 28
2016-17 cap hit: $2,800,000
This is Alzner's set-for-life window. He's a big, rugged, experienced defenseman in his prime who can play top-pair minutes. As the best shutdown guy in a weak year for UFA blueliners, he's a prime candidate to be overpaid.
6. MARTIN HANZAL, C, 30
2016-17 cap hit: $3,100,000
Hanzal is injury prone but possesses great size and two-way acumen. He'd make for an OK No. 2 center and a championship-caliber No. 3 center with an organization chasing a Cup.
7. JOE THORNTON, C, 37
2016-17 cap hit: $6,750,000
Still a masterful two-way center and puck distributor. But how long will he take to recover from ACL and MCL tears?
8. JUSTIN WILLIAMS, RW, 35
2016-17 cap hit: $3,250,000
Remains a steady secondary scorer, and he continues adding to his legacy as a clutch playoff performer.
9. RADIM VRBATA, RW, 36
2016-17 cap hit: $1,000,000
Still producing in his mid-30s. Wants to keep playing and has expressed interest in returning to the Coyotes.
10. PATRICK EAVES, RW, 33
2016-17 cap hit: $1,000,000
Injury prone and just shattered his personal bests in his 30s, so he's obviously a risky investment. May be best off sticking with Ducks and trying to continue magic with Ryan Getzlaf.
11. PATRICK MARLEAU, LW, 37
2016-17 cap hit: $6,666,667
If he doesn't finish his career as a lifetime Shark, look for him to sign with another California team and not uproot his family.
12. ANDREI MARKOV D, 38
2016-17 cap hit: $5,750,000
Just keeps producing impressive offense as he creeps toward his 40s. Wants to stay in Montreal, which would require a discount but seems likely to happen.
13. JAROMIR JAGR, RW, 45
2016-17 cap hit: $4,000,000
Jagr claims he wants to play until he's 50. Will he make it? Still durable and can play on a scoring line. No denying he makes Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov better in Florida.
14. MIKE FISHER, C, 37
2016-17 cap hit: $4,400,000
Preds captain and his country music star wife belong in Nashville. Odds are the Predators find a way to keep him next season.
15. BRIAN ELLIOTT, G, 32
2016-17 cap hit: $2,500,000
Played his way out of a starting gig, ending on a low note in Calgary. But he's still an excellent 1B option who should catch on somewhere.
16. RON HAINSEY, 36, D
2016-17 cap hit: $2,830,000
Plays big minutes and kills penalties. Could join another contender or an also-ran who will flip him at the next trade deadline, like Carolina did this year, sending him to Pittsburgh.
17. KRIS RUSSELL, D, 30
2016-17 cap hit: $3,100,000
Oilers seem happy with him. He's a decent bet to re-sign. Continues to draw praise for his shot-blocking acumen, but his advanced statistics still suggest he's a below-average defender.
18. THOMAS VANEK, LW, 33
2016-17 cap hit: $2,600,000
Best to keep him hungry and sign him to another one-year deal. It worked great for the Red Wings this season.
19. BRIAN BOYLE, C, 32
2016-17 cap hit: $2,000,000
Should be a contender magnet thanks to his huge frame, physicality and checking ability. Earned himself some extra bucks with a fine playoff effort as a Maple Leaf.
20. SAM GAGNER, C, 27
2016-17 cap hit: $650,000
Commands a big raise. Quite a resurgence after Blue Jackets gave him chance. Doesn't look like they can afford to keep him, though.
21. SCOTT DARLING, G, 28
2016-17 cap hit: $588,000
Excellent backup in Chicago gets chance to prove himself as a starter. Technically, Carolina hasn't signed him yet, but his name should be the first to fly off this list.
22. BRENDAN SMITH, D, 28
2016-17 cap hit: $2,750,000
A sneaky good add. His numbers aren't flashy, but he's solid defensively in the possession game. Deserves a bigger role.
23. NICK BONINO, C, 29
2016-17 cap hit: $1,900,000
'Bones' is a versatile center who can man a second or third line and comes up big in clutch situations.
24. MICHAEL STONE, D, 27
2016-17 cap hit: 4,000,000
Wasn't very good after coming to Calgary at the trade deadline. Still, boasts appealing size and strength. He'll receive plenty of offers.
25. MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO, D, 27
2016-17 cap hit: $3,875,000
Injuries are a yearly concern now, but his mobility makes him worth a small investment. Short term with a reasonable salary. Low risk, medium gain that way.
26. DMITRY KULIKOV, D, 26
2016-17 cap hit: $4,333,333
Better than he showed this season. One of the youngest impact UFAs on the market. Hard to believe he'll only be 26 on July 1. An interesting reclamation project.
27. RYAN MILLER, G, 36
2016-17 cap hit: $6,000,000
He's more of a mentor or a 1B than a starter nowadays. Likely to stay west to accommodate his wife, actress Noureen DeWulf. Maybe he sticks with Vancouver, then.
28. DREW STAFFORD, RW, 31
2016-17 cap hit: $4,350,000
Seems to get hot whenever he joins a new team. Worked out decently for Bruins and is interested in returning.
29. JOHNNY ODUYA D, 35
2016-17 cap hit: $3,750,000
Time with Hawks likely done. Long-term pact with be tough to find given his age and declining play.
30. PATRICK SHARP, LW, 35
2016-17 cap hit: $5,900,000
Won't be a legit option until cleared from hip surgery, but his experience is valuable. He's a poor man's Justin Williams at this stage.
1. KEVIN SHATTENKIRK, D, 28
2016-17 cap hit: $4,250,000
Right-handed blueliners in the prime of their careers who can play 20-plus minutes a night get PAID on the open market. Shattenkirk is also one of the sport's premier offensive defensemen. He should earn as much coin as anyone this summer, even if he's had a spotty playoffs.
2. ALEXANDER RADULOV, RW, 30
2016-17 cap hit: $5,750,000
Boom-bust signing went boom for Habs. He brought offense and infectious energy from the KHL, and his agent says he wants to re-sign. More than just a complementary scorer. Makes teammates better and can take over games.
3. T.J. OSHIE, RW, 30
2016-17 cap hit: $4,175,000
Enjoyed career year as first-line right winger in D.C. with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Caps would be wise to keep him, but he won't come cheaply.
4. BEN BISHOP, G, 30
2016-17 cap hit: $5,590,000
Injuries and a trade that banished him to backup status in L.A. cost him some money, but he's still the top UFA goalie. Calgary rumors make so much sense that it almost feels like a foregone conclusion that he signs there.
5. KARL ALZNER, D, 28
2016-17 cap hit: $2,800,000
This is Alzner's set-for-life window. He's a big, rugged, experienced defenseman in his prime who can play top-pair minutes. As the best shutdown guy in a weak year for UFA blueliners, he's a prime candidate to be overpaid.
6. MARTIN HANZAL, C, 30
2016-17 cap hit: $3,100,000
Hanzal is injury prone but possesses great size and two-way acumen. He'd make for an OK No. 2 center and a championship-caliber No. 3 center with an organization chasing a Cup.
7. JOE THORNTON, C, 37
2016-17 cap hit: $6,750,000
Still a masterful two-way center and puck distributor. But how long will he take to recover from ACL and MCL tears?
8. JUSTIN WILLIAMS, RW, 35
2016-17 cap hit: $3,250,000
Remains a steady secondary scorer, and he continues adding to his legacy as a clutch playoff performer.
9. RADIM VRBATA, RW, 36
2016-17 cap hit: $1,000,000
Still producing in his mid-30s. Wants to keep playing and has expressed interest in returning to the Coyotes.
10. PATRICK EAVES, RW, 33
2016-17 cap hit: $1,000,000
Injury prone and just shattered his personal bests in his 30s, so he's obviously a risky investment. May be best off sticking with Ducks and trying to continue magic with Ryan Getzlaf.
11. PATRICK MARLEAU, LW, 37
2016-17 cap hit: $6,666,667
If he doesn't finish his career as a lifetime Shark, look for him to sign with another California team and not uproot his family.
12. ANDREI MARKOV D, 38
2016-17 cap hit: $5,750,000
Just keeps producing impressive offense as he creeps toward his 40s. Wants to stay in Montreal, which would require a discount but seems likely to happen.
13. JAROMIR JAGR, RW, 45
2016-17 cap hit: $4,000,000
Jagr claims he wants to play until he's 50. Will he make it? Still durable and can play on a scoring line. No denying he makes Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov better in Florida.
14. MIKE FISHER, C, 37
2016-17 cap hit: $4,400,000
Preds captain and his country music star wife belong in Nashville. Odds are the Predators find a way to keep him next season.
15. BRIAN ELLIOTT, G, 32
2016-17 cap hit: $2,500,000
Played his way out of a starting gig, ending on a low note in Calgary. But he's still an excellent 1B option who should catch on somewhere.
16. RON HAINSEY, 36, D
2016-17 cap hit: $2,830,000
Plays big minutes and kills penalties. Could join another contender or an also-ran who will flip him at the next trade deadline, like Carolina did this year, sending him to Pittsburgh.
17. KRIS RUSSELL, D, 30
2016-17 cap hit: $3,100,000
Oilers seem happy with him. He's a decent bet to re-sign. Continues to draw praise for his shot-blocking acumen, but his advanced statistics still suggest he's a below-average defender.
18. THOMAS VANEK, LW, 33
2016-17 cap hit: $2,600,000
Best to keep him hungry and sign him to another one-year deal. It worked great for the Red Wings this season.
19. BRIAN BOYLE, C, 32
2016-17 cap hit: $2,000,000
Should be a contender magnet thanks to his huge frame, physicality and checking ability. Earned himself some extra bucks with a fine playoff effort as a Maple Leaf.
20. SAM GAGNER, C, 27
2016-17 cap hit: $650,000
Commands a big raise. Quite a resurgence after Blue Jackets gave him chance. Doesn't look like they can afford to keep him, though.
21. SCOTT DARLING, G, 28
2016-17 cap hit: $588,000
Excellent backup in Chicago gets chance to prove himself as a starter. Technically, Carolina hasn't signed him yet, but his name should be the first to fly off this list.
22. BRENDAN SMITH, D, 28
2016-17 cap hit: $2,750,000
A sneaky good add. His numbers aren't flashy, but he's solid defensively in the possession game. Deserves a bigger role.
23. NICK BONINO, C, 29
2016-17 cap hit: $1,900,000
'Bones' is a versatile center who can man a second or third line and comes up big in clutch situations.
24. MICHAEL STONE, D, 27
2016-17 cap hit: 4,000,000
Wasn't very good after coming to Calgary at the trade deadline. Still, boasts appealing size and strength. He'll receive plenty of offers.
25. MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO, D, 27
2016-17 cap hit: $3,875,000
Injuries are a yearly concern now, but his mobility makes him worth a small investment. Short term with a reasonable salary. Low risk, medium gain that way.
26. DMITRY KULIKOV, D, 26
2016-17 cap hit: $4,333,333
Better than he showed this season. One of the youngest impact UFAs on the market. Hard to believe he'll only be 26 on July 1. An interesting reclamation project.
27. RYAN MILLER, G, 36
2016-17 cap hit: $6,000,000
He's more of a mentor or a 1B than a starter nowadays. Likely to stay west to accommodate his wife, actress Noureen DeWulf. Maybe he sticks with Vancouver, then.
28. DREW STAFFORD, RW, 31
2016-17 cap hit: $4,350,000
Seems to get hot whenever he joins a new team. Worked out decently for Bruins and is interested in returning.
29. JOHNNY ODUYA D, 35
2016-17 cap hit: $3,750,000
Time with Hawks likely done. Long-term pact with be tough to find given his age and declining play.
30. PATRICK SHARP, LW, 35
2016-17 cap hit: $5,900,000
Won't be a legit option until cleared from hip surgery, but his experience is valuable. He's a poor man's Justin Williams at this stage.
Habs4Life
Well-known member
My "realistic" wish list. Find a taker for Pleks... should be doable if we add a 3rd round pick.
ALEXANDER RADULOV - 4 x $6.25m
ANDREI MARKOV - 2 x $4.25m
MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO - 4 x $4.5m
NICK BONINO - 4 x $3m
ALEX GALCHENYUK - 8 x $5.75m
ALEXANDER RADULOV - 4 x $6.25m
ANDREI MARKOV - 2 x $4.25m
MICHAEL DEL ZOTTO - 4 x $4.5m
NICK BONINO - 4 x $3m
ALEX GALCHENYUK - 8 x $5.75m
CH1
The Artist Formerly Known as chiggins.
I'd be tempted by Bonino at $3M but that figure seems like a pipe dream.
First and last on your list , that's it for me .
CH1
The Artist Formerly Known as chiggins.
Overall, I think your prices are too low. You'd be a good guy to go shopping with.
That's why "realistic" was in quotes. I don't think they're waaaay off... but they're still a bit of a dream. Add an extra half million to each of them and let's get it done.
BKerr
Banned
Rolex
Canadiens Moderator
We already have two #3
CH1
The Artist Formerly Known as chiggins.
I am expecting the unexpected.