2010-2011 Unrestricted Free Agent Defencemen

[evolver115]

In light of the fact that my favorite team has a mass exodus at the blue-line in the off-season, I thought it would be interesting to assess the UFA defencemen. The Pens currently have only 3 NHL ready players on the blue-line:
Brooks Orpik, Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski (sometimes he's only AHL ready).

So, I gathered up what I thought of as quality UNRESTRICTED D-men off of NHLnumbers.com, and here is the list:

- Scott Neidermayer, ANA
- Pavel Kubina, ATL
- Dennis Seidenberg, BOS
- Henrik Tallinder, BUF
- Toni Lydman, BuF
- Brian Pothier, CAR
- Kim Johnsson, CHI
- Brett Clark, COL
- Ruslan Salei, COL
- Brett Lebda, DET
- Andreas Lilja, DET
- Nick Lidstrom, DET *** is this correct Wings Fans???***
- Randy Jones, LA
- Paul Mara, MTL
- Dan Hamhuis, NAS
- Paul Martin, NJ
- Mike Mottau, NJ
- Andy Sutton, OTT
- Anton Volchenkov, OTT
- Zbynck Michalek, PHX
- Adrian Aucoin, PHX
- Sergei Gonchar, PIT
- Mark Eaton, PIT
- Jay McKee, PIT
- Jordan Leopold, PIT[/COLOR]
- Nick Wallin, SJ
- Rob Blake, SJ (might retire?)
- Garnet Exelby, TOR
- Shane Morrisonn, WAS
- Jan Jurcina, WAS
- Joe Corvo, WAS

I can't remember a season in recent memory where the Penguins had as many as 4 UFA off the blue-line. It's going to be a lot of work to piece together a quality defensive core for the Pens, and it's a glaring weakness that was revealed in this most recent playoffs.

But, just in the UFA pool alone, there are a lot of quality d-men that will be looking for greener pastures, shortly. Sergei Gonchar, as good as he is running the Pittsburgh Power-play... his defensive game has been on a steady decline. If he is really expecting another 5mil./per.... I don't see how Pittsburgh can afford him.

What does everyone think Ray Shero and the Pens will do? And, what do you think your team will do with their UFA D-men from this list??

If I fucked up the list... please let me know

 

[postmaster]

Yes, Lidstrom is a free agent this offseason. His 7.5M is coming off the books.
I think Volchenkov and Hamhuis will be highly sought after.

 

[dash]

Yes, Lidstrom is a free agent this offseason. His 7.5M is coming off the books.
I think Volchenkov and Hamhuis will be highly sought after.

The Ottawa Sun (also known as the Ektard of print) are reporting that the Capitals are offering $5 million for the A-train. Reports are that Volchenkov has put his Ottawa area home up for sale.

 

[postmaster]

Are teams even able to make an offer on other team's free agents at this point?

 

[evolver115]

Yes, Lidstrom is a free agent this offseason. His 7.5M is coming off the books.
I think Volchenkov and Hamhuis will be highly sought after.

Is Lids going to retire? Or, do you think he will sign on for a one or two year, aging goat contract with detroit?? I just can't imagine Nick not wearing a winged wheel.

 

[dash]

Are teams even able to make an offer on other team's free agents at this point?

No, they're not, it's just speculation by those rumor mongers (Garrioch, Brennan et al) at the Ottawa Sun.

 

[postmaster]

Is Lids going to retire? Or, do you think he will sign on for a one or two year, aging goat contract with detroit?? I just can't imagine Nick not wearing a winged wheel.

He will either play for Detroit or go back to Sweden.
All signs are pointing to a 1 or 2 year deal.
I just hope he signs for around $4,000,000 or less.
Please no more than 4.5M.
He will not follow Yzerman's example of playing for around 1M per season.
His contract negotiations have never been easy and he has never accepted the Wings first offer. He has played the going back to Sweden card to raise his family every time until he gets what he wants.

 

[evolver115]

He will either play for Detroit or go back to Sweden.
All signs are pointing to a 1 or 2 year deal.
I just hope he signs for around $4,000,000 or less.
Please no more than 4.5M.
He will not follow Yzerman's example of playing for around 1M per season.
His contract negotiations have never been easy and he has never accepted the Wings first offer. He has played the going back to Sweden card to raise his family every time until he gets what he wants.

Pittsburgh is in a fairly similar situation with Sergei Gonchar. The guy is still a very talented hockey player. Although, it's fairly obvious that Sarge isn't much of a value on defense anymore, where Lidstrom still has a larger upside.

With Letang and Go-Go signed long term, Pit needs defensive-defencemen. Orpik is really all they have. So signing another 5 million dollar contract with an aging and defensive liability in Sarge is really hard to convince myself that it's a quality move.

 

[dash]

Here's a crazy thought - Langkow + Regehr for Jason Spezza. There's Ottawa's replacement for Volchenkov plus Calgary finally gets the centerman to play with Iggy and 43 finally satisfies his mancrush for Daymond Langkow. Win-win-win.

 

[evolver115]

Here are some notable Restricted Free Agents that weren't on the other list:

- Erik Johnson, STL (WOW)
- Dennis Grebeshkov, NAS
- James Wisniewski, ANA
- Shane O'Brien, VAN
- Dan Girardi, NYR
- Braydon Coburn, PHI
- Mark Stuart, BOS
- Jason Garrison, FLA
- Tyler Eckford, NJ
- Paul Ranger, TAM
- Ryan Parent, PHI
- Ian White, CGY
- Mark Staal, NYR
-Jeff Shultz, WAS

 

[puckhead]

Here's a crazy thought - Langkow + Regehr for Jason Spezza. There's Ottawa's replacement for Volchenkov plus Calgary finally gets the centerman to play with Iggy and 43 finally satisfies his mancrush for Daymond Langkow. Win-win-win.

you're right. that IS a crazy thought.
that's an awfully uninspiring package going to the Sens.

besides Calgary has blown their load re-signing Bourque and Stajan

 

[filosofy29]

Here's a crazy thought - Langkow + Regehr for Jason Spezza. There's Ottawa's replacement for Volchenkov plus Calgary finally gets the centerman to play with Iggy and 43 finally satisfies his mancrush for Daymond Langkow. Win-win-win.

Heatley for Spezza?

 

[dash]

you're right. that IS a crazy thought.
that's an awfully uninspiring package going to the Sens.

besides Calgary has blown their load re-signing Bourque and Stajan

Okay fine, throw Kotalik into the deal and this video (Replace 'Call on me' with 'Kot-a-lik')

 

[puckhead]

 

[IPostedWhat]

There are 2 things wrong with that video.

I'll let you guys figure it out for yourselves.

 

[elocomotive]

There are 2 things wrong with that video.

I'll let you guys figure it out for yourselves.

What is this? Highlights magazine?

 

[elocomotive]

The Ottawa Sun (also known as the Ektard of print) are reporting that the Capitals are offering $5 million for the A-train. Reports are that Volchenkov has put his Ottawa area home up for sale.

Please, oh please, oh please, oh please...

 

[ritari330]

Please, oh please, oh please, oh please...

I won't believe anything untill it's official......but oh my would that be wonderful!

 

[The Q stache]

Here are some notable Restricted Free Agents that weren't on the other list:

- Erik Johnson, STL (WOW)
- Dennis Grebeshkov, NAS
- James Wisniewski, ANA
- Shane O'Brien, VAN
- Dan Girardi, NYR
- Braydon Coburn, PHI
- Mark Stuart, BOS
- Jason Garrison, FLA
- Tyler Eckford, NJ
- Paul Ranger, TAM
- Ryan Parent, PHI
- Ian White, CGY
- Mark Staal, NYR
-Jeff Shultz, WAS

You are missing Niklas Hjalmarrson as well

 

[pixburgher66]

i know it will never happen, but i want the pens to make a semi-respectable splash this offseason. obviously that's tough with malkin, sid, staal, MAF, etc. on the books. but the one thing i know i DONT want is sarge. not for anything more than 3.5 mil. the man wants 5+mill for 2-3 years.....in the infamous words of max talbot ha ha ha ha...good one.