SOON-TO-BE FREE AGENTS ON THE MOVE?
Wingers
Cory Stillman Carolina $1.75 million
Kristian Hueslius Calgary $1.4 million
Martin Lapointe Chicago $2.4 million
Andrew Brunette Colorado $1.6 million
Antti Mettinen Dallas $885,000
Daniel Cleary Detroit $675,000
Ladislav Nagy Los Angeles $3.75 million
Pavol Demitra Minnesota $4.5 million
Michael Ryder Montreal $2.95 million
J.P. Dumont Nashville $2.5 million
Jay Pandolfo New Jersey $836,000
Miroslav Satan New York Islanders $4.5 million
Trent Hunter New York Islanders $1.55 million
Sean Avery New York Rangers $1.9 million
Radim Vrbata Phoenix $1.225 million
Ryan Malone Pittsburgh $1.45 million
Jarkko Ruutu Pittsburgh $1.15 million
Adam Hall Pittsburgh $525,000
Markus Naslund Vancouver $6.0 million
Matt Cooke Vancouver $1.525 million
Goalies
Jocelyn Thibault Buffalo $760,000
Jose Theodore Colorado $6.0 million
Cristobal Huet Montreal $2.75 million
Ilya Bryzgalov Phoenix $1.363 million
Ty Conklin Pittsburgh $500,000
Johan Holmqvist Tampa Bay $1.0 million
Curtis Sanford Vancouver $600,000
Lets make a deal!
1) Tomas Plekanec, Montreal to Atlanta
25-year old playmaking center who is under contract through 2009 and will become a restricted free agent in 2010. Scheduled to make $1.8 million in 2009 and would be a perfect fit playing alongisde Kovalchuk.
1a) Jiri Hudler, Detroit to Atlanta
Soon-to-be 24-year-old center who is under contract through 2009 and will become a restricted free agent in 2010. Scheduled to make $1.15 million in 2009.
2) Ron Hainsey, Columbus to Atlanta
27-year-old, 6-foot-3, 210-pound defenseman from Connecticut who has improved steadliy since joining the Blue Jackets in 2005-06. The former No. 1 pick by Montreal in 2000, is an unrestricted free agent this summer but makes just $900,000. A little size on the backline couldn't hurt.
3) Brian Campbell, Buffalo to Carolina
The 28-year-old defenseman would be an excellent quarterback for the power play and is a strong defender as well. The talk is that he wants a substantial raise in pay as he is currently making just $1.75 million. The unrestricted free agent will command a hefty raise but the Canes will have room under the cap next year to get a long-term deal done.
3a) Mark Streit, Montreal to Carolina
The 30-year-old defenseman is a bargain with a $600,000 salary and is also an unrestricted free agent this summer. He's a solid performer on defense but is most adept at moving the puck with sharp passes and strong puck-handling abilities. Has 16 goals and 48 assists in his last 122 NHL games after leaving the Swiss league in 2005. Has made 10 World Championship rosters for Switzerland.
4) Daniel Cleary, Detroit to Carolina
Another bargain at $675,000 who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 29-year-old from Newfoundland has 38 goals and 36 assists in the last season and a half in Detroit on right wing. Can play on both the power play and penalty kill.
5) Trent Hunter, New York Islanders to Florida
Big, strong and tough forward who will do the dirty work along the boards and also has proven to be an adequate goal scorer at times (career high 25 goals in 2004). Would look good alongside Jokinen and he plays in all situations. The 6-foot-3, 210 pounder from Red Deer, Alberta, will turn 28 in July and currently makes $1.55 million. He will become an unrestricted free agent.
5a) Ryan Malone, Pittsburgh to Florida
Another monster up front who might get lost in the shuffle in Pittsburgh during the off-season. Scheduled to become a free agent and his current salary of $1.45 million is in line with the Panthers budget. Scored 20 goals in first two NHL seasons but has just 10 this season. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, he'd look good getting off the bus and along the boards playing with Jokinen or Weiss.