The NHL’s unrestricted free-agent market opens at noon ET on July 1. Here’s the latest lists and rumors involving this year’s notable UFAs.
2015 NHL unrestricted free agent lists.
TSN: Mike Green, Matt Beleskey, Michael Frolik, Cody Franson and Justin Williams are among the notables topping the list of TSN’s updated top-40 UFA list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is undoubtedly one of the thinnest UFA markets in years. There’s some decent talent there but no genuine top-tier talent.
Could Justin Williams sign with the Penguins?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson lists the 10 UFAs to watch, particularly their potential destinations. He links Mike Green to the Detroit Red Wings, Justin Williams to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Joel Ward to the Montreal Canadiens, Francois Beauchemin or Cody Franson to the Edmonton Oilers and Karri Ramo to the San Jose Sharks or Philadelphia Flyers.
USA TODAY: Kevin Allen lists Antoine Vermette, Matt Beleskey, Cody Franson, Johnny Oduya and Mike Ribeiro on his “do not overpay” list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Agreed. Vermette, Oduya and Ribeiro are aging players. While Ribeiro enjoyed a bounce-back performance last season, at 35 (and given his previous off-ice issues) he remains risky. Beleskey could be either a late-blooming scorer on a one-year wonder. Franson’s stock noticeably declined after he was dealt from Toronto to Nashville.
Updates on Brad Richards, Andrej Sekera, Karri Ramo and Cody Franson.
ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun reports Brad Richards would like to re-sign with the Chicago Blackhawks but he’s aware their salary-cap issues could prevent that from happening…After terminating Mike Richards’ contract, the Los Angeles Kings could have room to try and re-sign defenseman Andrej Sekera…Drew Stafford’s agent and Winnipeg Jets management are still negotiating in hopes of securing a new deal before July 1…The San Jose Sharks could be a destination for Calgary Flames pending UFA goalie Karri Ramo.
NBC SPORTS: Dhiren Mahiban cites sources claiming the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs (Franson’s former team) are among the clubs which contacted Cody Franson’s camp since Thursday.
So what are the Bruins supposed to do with Martin Jones now? Seems like the list of potential destinations is getting pretty slim. SJS is still looking for a goaltender? Maybe Calgary? The Bruins seem to have hatched that plan without really thinking about it. Turdible
Not really. Sign Jones to a two year contract. If by next season he’s ready to become a starter, along with Subban, then just deal Rask for a boatload of stuff to help your rebuild
Two options here – flip him or keep him. If the keep him, they will move someone else. I doubt Rask, but I think it comes down the money, so I wouldn’t put it out of the realm of possibilities. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep all of the G in the system and look to move Rask into the season or at the deadline in the hopes that they can get a better market. It isn’t a stretch to see the Bruins run with Jones/Subban in the next couple of years, especially if they are rebuilding.
Traded him to SJ for a 1st and prospect.
funny! on to you
Thanks. Looked like they wanted to turn him on a flip. Decent return too
They just dealt Jones to SJ.
Pretty crazy if Calgary is still looking at defence. Would be nice along with, what I expect them to maybe look at another forward in the top 9 range and perhaps trade hiller for someone more reliable but that’s just me.
Not trying to turn this into a Leafs thread, but there are some teams seriously under the floor that could take a Bozak Kessel combo (Arizona and Nashville) who by all accounts want to compete. Even taking on Prongers deal, Yotes are still almost 14 million under the cap floor and have 32 million in cap space. Ribeiro is aging and Bozak is younger and Shane Doan could then move to the second line. Forsberg and Kessel, Bozak and Doan, not bad.
After of course Kessel is paid his 4 million dollar bonus tomorrow
Now I’m really confused! Calgary signs Hamilton to 6yrs for 5.75 per year. Really Sweeney you couldn’t make that deal. I’m absolutely confused on this one! Yes its an over payment to start, but in 3yrs it will be a steal of a deal.
Hamilton didn’t want to stay, his agent said he was looking for 7 million a year and instead he signs for $250,000 more a year than the B’s first offered – Stevie Wonder can see the writing on the wall
Sweeny must have been hot at the craps table during his recent visit to Vegas , he is rolling the dice trading players for picks. He may not be around down the road to see if these draft picks pan out. Also surpised they did not use one of those 3 back to back first round picks to snag Barzal.
As Caper points out Calgary did not overpay to resign , I wonder if there is more to him leaving than just $.
Bruins would have paid more he must have wanted out like Phil did. Time will tell if he is worth the cash and he will be in his prime when contract is over. Bruins getting another first is amazing two firsts and Miller for Looch is a steal.
If I’m going to criticize Sweeney for the Hamilton deal, I must also commend him for the Lucic deal, which as of now is 2 first round picks, a solid d prospect and a big 2 way center prospect. That’s a good haul for a guy on the last year of his contract.
Ya your right, that’s not too bad of a haul for Lucic. LA did pretty well too considering they traded a back up goalie, 1st rounder and a d prospect that was never going to make the Kings roster for arguably the best power forward in the league at just $3.25 mill and 27 years old.
Picks are only useful if you know how to use them, which evidently Sweeney and co. do not…
The bigger issue though is that people don’t want to be there. Hamilton signs for $250k more than Boston offered – there’s a problem, folks.
How long till Bergeron, Krecji, Rask want out? Doubt they’re interested in a rebuild effort.
Why isn’t Sekera on any of these “top UFA” lists? If he hits the market he will be the best player available.
If you’re interested in my take on tonight’s Saad and Bieksa trades, swing on by the “News” section. I’d be interested in reading your thoughts on those deals.
What about Yak to Pittsburgh for D Pouliot and then sign Semin to replace Yak? I am sure we could get Semin on a reasonable contract after his buyout…