Monday, June 29, 2009

NHL Free Agent Predictions

And...TWINS??!?!

Niedermayer, Scott – Ducks
I have to believe while Scott took his sweet time thinking of returning to hockey, he was also thinking of returning to the Ducks. He’ll resign with the franchise along with his less talented but more physical brother.

SEDIN TWINS- Canucks
I just don’t see any team making room for two players of this price tag. Signing the Sedin twins can only happen if the Canucks are content with Ohlund leaving and Sundin is content with taking a paycut.


Sundin, Mats – Canucks

Cammalleri, Mike – Wild
Wild have the cap space and are looking to take a more offensive approach to the game with the departure of coach Lemaire. They are going to need a sniper to replace the oft injured Marian Gaborik.

Bertuzzi, Todd -Flames

Cole, Erik – Hurricanes
I’m praying Erik Cole realizes this is where he fits and where he is an impact player. The situation reminds me of Anson Carter a few years back. He finally found his scoring touch again with the Sedin twins, only to test UFA waters thus killing his NHL career. Money is nice, but sometimes the situation has to outweigh the cash money.

Khabibulin, Nikolai – Russia
Khabibulin proved he can still play at a high level; translation, he won’t come cheap. Russia will probably put up the most money for the 36 year old.

Havlat, Martin- Blackhawks
Rumor is Havlat loves Chicago and the young core of players that all seem to be developing at the same time. They’ll have a chunk of change from Bulin wall leaving as well.

Zubov, Sergei - Stars

Lehtinen, Jere - Stars

Hossa, Marian – Senators

We know Hossa can fit in Ottawa already and his two way game will be welcomed back with his first team. Interestingly enough it will take Heatley to be traded in order for this signing to happen.

Roloson, Dwayne - Oilers



Bouwmeester, Jay- Flames
They gave up a valuable pick to begin the negotiating process early. A deal with Bouwmeester will stack their defense, but it will also leave them rather cap strapped. But they made the deal for a reason.

Gaborik, Marian – Kings
There is talk of the Kings wanting a top line player and the ultra talented Gaborik will fit in nicely with Brown, Frolov, Kopitar, and Justin Williams.

Schneider, Mathieu - Canadians

Tanguay, Alex – Canadians
Habs seem to be content with letting many UFA’s go in order to keep Tanguay.

Koivu, Saku – Wild
Saku wants to stay with The Canadians, but if the Wild throw some cash at Saku he may change his mind and may want to play with his younger brother.

Kovalev, Alexei – Canadians
Always a volatile relationship, Canadians just can’t get enough of Kovalev. My guess he’ll sign a 3-4 year deal and retire with the habs, a deal that probably should be reserved for Saku.

Lang, Robert – Devils
Devils will essentially replace Gionta with Lang which the team needs more, a talented center. Lang can center a line with Elias and Rolston.

Sullivan, Steve – Penguins
Word is Nashville is willing to walk away from most of their UFA’s unless their prices come down. With the Pens losing Sykora, Satan and Fedotenko, I could see them looking for cheap/proven wingers to compliment their franchise centers.


Gionta, Brian – Rangers

Sather will sign Gionta with the prayer he has finally found someone to play with his picky Mexican franchise center. Both of their career high's in points came on a same line together.

Madden, John – Capitals
Checking line center to compliment their scoring forwards.

Shanahan, Brendan- Devils
Shanahan looked great in a checking role and seemed to enjoy his stay in Jersey. With Holik, Rupp, Madden gone, Devils could use him for the bottom 6.

Oduya, Johnny - Devils
It's going to be expensive, but the Devils can't afford to lose anymore d-men.

Clemmensen, Scott - Stars

Morris, Derek – Panthers
Florida is losing quite a bit of depth from their defensive corps and will be in a position to overpay to fill the void.

Antropov, Nik – Canadians
They will need a center to replace Lang and Koivu.

Ohlund, Mattias – Lightning

Comrie, Mike – Islanders
Islanders will sign Comrie will the full intention of dealing him once again around the deadline.

Neil, Chris- Red Wings

Biron, Martin - Avalanche

Knuble, Mike - Flyers
Very curious to see if SJ jumps into the mix with Knuble's proven chemistry with Thornton. If they want, Glen Murray isn't doing anything either..HMMMM.

Guerin, Bill – Penguins
Really found a nice chemistry with the captain, Penguins should give him a two year deal. His legs looked great in the postseason and even if he slows down, he will still be effective on the powerplay.

Sykora, Petr - Oilers

Fedotenko, Ruslan - Thrashers

Gill, Hal - Penguins

Recchi, Mark- Boston Bruins
One of these years the team that trades for Recchi will keep him. He can still play and get 60 points.

Blake, Rob- Sharks



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