Here’s a look at the notable NHL unrestricted free agents still available.
Cody Franson is still waiting for a new contract.
Cody Franson: Theories abound as to why the 27-year-old defenseman remains unsigned nearly a month into free agency. I believe it’s a combination of his asking price (at one point, rumored to be $6 million annually on a long-term deal. It’s likely lower than that now) and the sharp decline in his numbers following his February trade from Toronto to Nashville last season.
Rumors link Franson to the Leafs, Arizona Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks, but it remains to be seen if any of those clubs eventually sign him. I think the ship has sailed on a return with the Leafs. The Canucks and Penguins lack the cap space, while the Coyotes already added Nicklas Grossman via trade and brought back Zbynek Michalek. The Bruins and Sabres remain possible destinations, but only for an affordable deal.
Christian Ehrhoff: The 33-year-old blueliner is willing to accept a one-year contract. There’s talks the Columbus Blue Jackets could consider Ehrhoff as an addition to their power-play. The Bruins and San Jose Sharks could also have some interest in him.
Curtis Glencross: Earlier this month, there were suggestions Glencross could be a fit with the Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers or New York Rangers. With the Derek Stepan signing, the Rangers are nearly maxed out on cap space and seem set with their current 23-man roster. The Leafs already added a veteran LW via free agency in Daniel Winnik. The Panthers could take a look at Glencross as a training-camp invitee.
Jiri Tlusty: Tlusty hasnt rule out a possible return with the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s also been suggested as an option for the Arizona Coyotes.
Brad Boyes: Bought out by the Florida Panthers, Boyes could be an affordable option for teams seeking experienced depth at right wing. Like Tlusty, Boyes has been considered a possible forward option for the Coyotes.
Marek Zidlicky: The 38-year-old veteran could be sought by teams in need of power-play production from their blueline. The Columbus Blue Jackets could be an option.
Mike Santorelli: An versatile checking-line forward, Santorelli could be a good depth addition. The Edmonton Journal’s Bruce McCurdy believes he could be an intriguing option for the Edmonton Oilers.
Daniel Briere: Not too long ago, Briere would’ve been snapped up on the opening day of the UFA market. However, age has caught up with the former scoring star, who turns 38 later this year. Briere’s still training in hopes of getting an offer, but it might be at best a training camp invitation.
Franson would be a nice add for the Bruins but they would have to clear more cap space a player has to leave
Daniel Briere is a type of player the Bruins have been bringing into camp for years vet near the end but still might have something left
Don’t mind having Franson at the right price; however, I have no interest in Briere. Boston needs to see what they have with the news guys and let the youth get their feet wet.
Franson doesn’t play Jullians style Oduya would’ve been a better fit.
Would be better off signing Ehrhoff for one year and go after Byfuglien or Seabrook next year. Should have some cap space with Eriksson and Kelly’s deals up.
Would have thought the Bruins would have learned their lesson taking defenseman from the Leafs…
Worked out last time, they won a cup that year. Just Sayin.
Glad to have Stepan signed long term..just wish some of these guys (like stepan, henrik, staal, girardi, etc.) would have taken a little less to allow for an additonal ufa signing or two..with 400k left we’re pretty much done. Oh well, priorities: money first, winning the cup second.
And let’s not forget the MSL debacle and the Dan Boyle signing..horrible.
The Boyle mistake was highlighted when Yandle trade was made. Boyle is completely expendable now- but he was not the reason they did not make it to the finals. He is just overpaid for his role
Yep, sad but true. Never sure why players won’t take $300K less per year, for example, to sign a Cup-winning roster. (Other than greed, obviously.)
How’s this for an idea for a player taking a hometown discount? They’ll take a discount provided that the team never falls below 92% of the cap ceiling (for example). That would mean that the team would always be spending enough to theoretically remain competitive.
And if the team ever falls below the imposed minimum? They would be contractually obligated to trade the player to one of, let’s say, five teams the player specified within three weeks. Sort of the opposite of an NTC.
Never ever happen, but it’s fun (for me) to think about! 🙂
Well why should they take less? You and I would be trying to get as much as we can. Easy to point fingers.
The difference is that our jobs don’t have salary caps. Our giving up salary does not inherently improve our company’s (or NHL team’s) chance of success.
If a player could make $20M a season, that would guarantee they could only fill out the roster with league-minimum players, so they’d never sniff the playoffs. That same argument doesn’t apply to you and me.
This isn’t even a debate about how much they make (per NYR4LIFE below), it’s an argument about how much of the total they want to take… meaning less for everyone else!
Their are guys who will take less to stay on a contender or hometown discount but not many. It is sad when guys make 4-5 million that they want more. Can’t compare that pay with what the average worker makes.
The difference between these guys and the average Joe is …..Nobody is going to pay hundreds or thousands of their hard earned dollars to come see the average Joe sit at a desk or fix a car. Nobody is buying average Joe merchandising. You can’t compare the average Joe to these guys. It is one of the worst debates / arguments in sports. But…..If the average Joe was offered 2-3X’s (guaranteed for x amount of years) what he currently made…..what percentage of them would actually not take it in a heartbeat?…..even with a smaller company.
I think it’s the agents who are the problem. They scrap for every cent they can get.
My point is if you make 5 million what is 5.2 gonna do.
Bergeron took less to stay in Boston.
I would rather make 3 million on a good team than 5 on a bad team..
I might start a line of merchandise called Average Joe , thanks for the idea.
I already have a patent pending….. I’ll sue!
I hate Lundqvists contract. But Girardi at 5.5 per is more than fair. This guy has been the one constant on the top pairing for years. Before McDonaghs injury last year they were toying with reuniting him and Staal as the top pairing. And if you compare Stepans contract to guys with similar numbers, I think he did take a slight discount. As far as having to pass on this years ufa’s….I think that’s a good thing. Especially if ANY of them had to come with ANY term over 1 year. They are going to have to make room for Hayes, Kreider and Miller next year. Imagine losing Kreider because they sign Glencross to a 3 year deal? No thanks!
Agreed. He risk is great but at his cap hit..is he really that much better then talbot at his ridiculously low salary? Shoulda traded hank if he would allow it due to his ntc. And brought back draft picks and good young players. Just my opinion
Should have read: henrik is great..
It’s hard to gauge value of superstars in nhl with the salary cap constraining on what you can do in terms of building a winner. If ONLY considering Lundqvists intrinsic market value for selling games, ads, bringing in fans, selling jerseys and so on, his worth is a lot more than he makes actually. BUT a team can’t have all eggs in one basket in a cap system when it wants to win. Really the nhl superstars are taking haircuts on their salaries and the secondary stars (O’Reilly, Eberle, Stepan) are making too much for what they bring in in terms of revenue to their clubs. There are data supporting this. Salaries should be a lot more skewed if realistic.
Hey Spec,
Any new info/rumours on the Sabres?
Thanks!!
When there is, I’ll post it here.
Lol ok thanks for the help
I would like to see the flyers sign either Jiri Tlusty or Glencross to a 1 year deal-at reasonable dollars. They could use support at wing
Sad to see Briere keeps trying at the end of the road. Wish he would just hang ’em up.
Happy trails Danny
Retirement is like death for these guys, most of them have been playing hockey since they could walk. That’s all they’ve known… it’s like coming to the end of your life and not wanting to let go. While I agree it looks silly to us when you can clearly see they aren’t as good, try and put yourself in their shoes, if you haven’t done everything you wanted in that life, you are going to cling to it as long as you can.
Still think Habs can get D. Backes. L. Eller,D.Smith-Pelly and 2nd round pick 2016 can go the other way.
Here in Pittsburgh I have to say two of them could be in play.
1. Granted it’s massively far fetched. Many believe Pittsburgh is a dark horse that is still in on Franson. Like I said I still don’t see it with how many d-men on the roster and waiting in the minor league, but honestly the ONLY way I can see it is if the Penguins move another contract for nothing but a pick or prospect and maintain little to nothing on it. And the only one in my opinion in my mind would have to be Scudari. By moving him that would be 4.5 million freed up plus the right roster spot for Franson to take. Some think Kunitz but all that would do is shorten the roster of one more forward at 3.8 million and open one more d-man on a roster that already holds 7-8 already. ONLY WAY is Scudari traded. Which is a extremely long shot and dumb luck twice in a single off season. After all they did trade Sutter to sign Fehr. Can’t see lightening striking twice here.
2. More realistic here. Would not be surprised to see Brad Boyes possibly signed to the penguins to finish off the sole missing winger spot in the bottom six. Has plenty of NHL experience, comes at a extremely affordable contract at under 1 million, and gives him a chance to contribute for a contender right off the start. Would be a smart, wise signing for the penguins with little to no risk, after all they have very little to obtain a player at the deadline this year. Granted they have 3 second round picks but with a chance at no first or third they would almost have to hold them to replenish the lack of talent they have in the minors in forwards and thinning d-men.
At this point the pens true best move would to put forth the team they plan on winning with from day one and with no and I MEAN NO NHL capable wingers and one center that can make the jump (Sundqvest). This is almost a no brainer for Rutherford.
BTW, those that rally for Wilson, Rust, Farnham or other broken parts for that final winger spot, They are BUSTS. They have no place in a NHL roster other then to hold a roster spot for a Major Leaguer to return. They can not, nor should not be given a roster spot freely due to lack of work ethic and or talent to be able to contribute for a whole season. If they are given that spot it should be ONLY by outworking a seasoned veteran that is given a fair shot to continue his career. They way they prove their place instead of gifted it. To ask them to beat each other up for that last spot proves nothing other then that one is the best of a worst case of talentless hacks. It would be a insult to a roster that otherwise up and down is ready to make a impact on the league.
agree with a fair amount of your post. but i would like to see the Penguins sign Steve Bernier for the 4th line RW spot. Solid all around and gritty.
I could live with that one as well. I was going with Boyes due to them wanting a more offensive four lines.
I don’t agree. Rust and Wilson are both young and speedy players who looked good in their short stays in the NHL last season but they will be 13th forwards anyways.
Perron Crosby Hornquist
Plotnikov Malkin Kessel
Kunitz Fehr Bennet
Sundquist Bonino Dupuis
Wilson, Rust
Looks pretty good to me. Bonino could play on Malkins wing if Plotnikov doesn’t work out. Definitely no need for a washed up and declining Brad Boyes. And the defense doesn’t need Franson.
Letang Maatta
Pouliot Cole
Dumoulin Lovejoy
Clendening, Scuderi, Erixon
I’d like to see Lovejoy upgraded and Scuderi eliminated all together but there is no rush(barring injury). This is the best roster the Penguins have had in 20+ years. I have no problem going into training camp as is and going from there. Sure getting rid of Scuderi’s contract is a priority but he only has 2 years left on it and if he has a bad season or doesn’t play much he will be bought out next year. Franson is a luxury that they don’t even necessarily require.
The only thing they were good for was holding roster spot til a real player came back.
“Rumors link Franson to the Leafs, Arizona Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks”
In an interview, Franson said his camp has yet to be contacted by the Canucks.
I doubt they are interested, primarily because of the expected cap hit but also because he does not fit the style they’re trying to play. They just moved non-physical and slow players in Clendening and Bonino.
I’m a little surprised Santorelli hasn’t found a home. His salary expectations can’t be excessive. Not sure what advanced stats say about him. They often don’t jibe with my impressions of a player. I like his speed, brings energy, can play up or down the lineup, play wing or centre and has a decent scoring touch. He was very good along side Kadri. Just a victim of the numbers game this summer I guess. Might be a steal for some team at this point.
I’m pretty sure, reading between the lines from what has come out from the Franson camp, that they initially set their sights on $5M annually and good power play opportunity. They were probably as shocked at this years UFA market as all of us were. Franson is probably still seeking $4M flat but I think that most teams are not willing to go over $3M. So I believe, that’s the hiccup why Franson hasn’t been signed yet. He’ll have to take a real haircut to be signed from what he initially aimed at. Going forward there currently isn’t much that will drive the salary cap much higher so maybe his dream of the big payday will stay a dream.