A look at several free-agent defensemen who could help the Boston Bruins, plus an update on Chicago Blackhawks RFA center Marcus Kruger.
Lots of UFA help available for the Bruins.
Is Cody Franson the best free-agent defense option for the Boston Bruins?
CSNNE.COM: Joe Haggerty reports there are plenty of salary-cap casualties among this summer’s unrestricted free agents who could help the Boston Bruins if they wish to add affordable depth. Haggerty lists Martin Havlat, Erik Cole, Brenden Morrow, Olli Jokinen, Jiri Tlusty, Curtis Glencross and Stephen Weiss among the available forwards, while blueliners include Christian Ehrhoff, Marek Zidlicky and Cody Franson. He wonders if the Bruins could sign one of those players to a professional tryout contract.
BOSTON HERALD: Chris Mason lists Cody Franson, Christian Ehrhoff, Marek Zidlicky, David Schlemko and Anton Volchenkov as five defensemen that could still interest the Bruins. Mason notes the club has spoken with Franson, Zidlicky and possibly Ehrhoff.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Franson is the best available defenseman, but he’s seeking a long-term deal reportedly worth anywhere between $4.5 and $6 million annually. That’s likely out of the Bruins price range. Ehrhoff and Zidlicky would be more affordable on a short-term basis, but Ehrhoff has a concussion history while Zidlicky is 38 years old. Volchenkov is a physical defensive blueliner, but injuries have hampered his effectiveness. Schlemko, 28, might be the better value if the Bruins merely seek a short-term depth addition.
Kruger hoping for a new contract soon.
ESPN.COM: Scott Powers reports Chicago Blackhawks restricted free agent center Marcus Kruger claims he’s not concerned that he hasn’t signed a new contract yet with the club, but he’s hoping to get a deal done before training camp opens in September. He’d prefer a long-term deal, but his agent also said Kruger would accept a shorter one if necessary. “We’ve discussed a lot of different options there,” Kruger said. “Whatever happens, it’s going to be good for me and them.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kruger’s comments leads me to dismiss the notion he’ll sign an offer sheet with a rival club. He obviously wants to remain with the Blackhawks. I expect he’ll be re-signed once they’ve free up sufficient cap space before the start of next season. Wingers Bryan Bickell ($4 million annually) and Kris Versteeg ($2.2 million) are considered the likely trade candidates.
Chicago is in tough. Cannot see anyone going crazy to trade for Bickell or Versteeg, even if they hold some salary, or trying to help them out. I admire Krugers loyalty and desire to stay with the cup winner, but there are no guarantees. His agent is hopefully open to an offer sheet by other clubs where he has a guarantee to make decent money and not become Chicagos next Bickell or Versteeg (or Ladd, Byfuglien etc). Due to Patrick Kanes situation they might get cap relief if he is found guilty and suspended, but how well do they do without Kane playing?
I heard… The Blackhawks are running out of options for Bryan Bickell. At this point the $4 million cap hit is untradeble. It is looking more and more likely that Bickell will indeed be a Blackhawk next season. The question that remains is whether he plays. The likeliest scenario is that the Blackhawks will send Bickell to Rockford at the start of the season. Possessing a one-way contract, though, demoting Bickell means the winger would have to clear waivers first.
Is this possible ?
If Bickell is demoted he has to pass through waivers. However, I doubt a team will put in a claim for him at that salary. It may be a case of the Blackhawks taking back a lower-salaried guy to free up enough cap space to re-sign Kruger. Also, if the Blackhawks demote Bickell and he clears waivers, they only receive $950K of cap relief.
You are correct – the Hawks are in a pickle. Nothing will happen until the authorities decide whether or not to charge Kane. Trust me – Hamburg, NY police are not accused to such drama.
Versteeg is a solid player. if his contract only has one year at $2.2M then the Jets should try to grab him for their 4th line. that way a guy like Petan can play in the AHL
The Jets are interesting, with 10 Defensemen signed. I know they can move Byfuglien to forward if needed, but something has to give on D, as they have 24 players signed already on their roster, unless they plan to send some guys down.
I can’t for the life of me understand the reason why fans heap praise on Franson. He’s big sure but he’s soft, He’s a RH shot but deosn’t score a lot. On a good team he’s be a #5 D at best. And if that’s not enough he and his agent are greedy. When he sat in the press box during the play-offs it put Mr. Franson in perspective. He couldn’t cut it in Nashville
i agree fred I think franson and his agent are pricing themselves out right now and I think he is gonna get another short term contract.
as a leaf fan, I am familiar with franson for the past 6 years or so since the got him
On a scale of 1-10 hes a 5 or a 6. Decent, not great, but not greedy.
He has always been paid accordingly, but never had more than a 3 year contract in his life and he never complained. He’s asking a little much on cost, not term.
What free agent doesn’t.
3 years @ 3mil is fair & deserving
Still wondering why the Preds paid such a deep price to get Franson. Made zero sense
you have to remember santorelli was involved in that trade too but ya it was an overpayment
And Nashville obviously didn’t want either of them around this year.
I think the preds fell victim to the hype machine in Toronto. Franson was never that good. He only looked good in comparison to who he was playing with. He was kind of like the tallest midget. The leafs even made a big contract offer that he turned down (which he’d take in a heart beat now) and that made everyone think he must be good. I don’t know where he’ll sign but it won’t be as good of a contract as he wanted. I’d love if the Flames could somehow sign him to a one or two year deal around 3 mil. He’d be a great 4-6 guy.
I would love it if the Penguins could somehow, some way, move Scuderi and Lovejoy along and sign Franson as a replacement. Paired with Bryan Dumoulin on the third pairing I think he would be very effective in Mike Johnston’s puck possession system. He would obviously have to sign a team friendly deal but playing for a real contender might sway his desire to get rich, at least for a season. The # 6 defenseman is Pittsburghs biggest weakness right now and Franson, though it might be just a dream, would really fill that spot nicely.
I don’t think Franson is a fit with the pens besides the financial aspect. Imo they need a stay at home d-man not another soft offensive d-man.
Purely based on points he’s 33rd amongst all defensemen over the last 5 years. There is not a single dman ahead of him making less than $4M AVV. Except Ehrhoff, who’s unsigned. And many of those contracts were negotiated as RFAs.
There are 45 dmen who have fewer points over the last 5 years making more than $4 mil AAV.
Obviously points are just one criteria but they do play a big part in salary demands. There aren’t any defensmen out there put up big points aren’t being well paid.
good points and this is what any player will base there demands off – points.
Problem is that I think the owners finally realized that they can not win when haggling with there best players so the role players get the shaft.
The financial trend for these owners will be that all new player (stars included) will get 3 years as a rookie to prove their worth (at less than $3-5) and if they aren’t great or demand too much money they will be trade and / or exiled bringing FA status at ripe age of 25
Bruins should go with the younger guys in their system before signing any of the free agent defencemen left.
I thought Havlat was attending the Sens camp?