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2009 free agency outlook, Part I
Anaheim Ducks
D Francois Beauchemin, C Brendan Morrison, D Scott Niedermayer, C Samuel Pahlsson, D Mathieu SchneiderSchneider is expected to be traded, perhaps prior to the start of the upcoming season and Niedermayer could retire next summer. GM Brian Burke will likely attempt to retain Beauchemin and Pahlsson, but Morrison will need to have a strong season to land a contract extension.
Atlanta Thrashers
RW Jason WilliamsWilliams was on pace for a career-best performance with the Blackhawks last year before suffering a season-ending injury. If he can bounce back, expect the Thrashers to try hard to re-sign him.
Boston Bruins
G Tim Thomas, G Manny Fernandez, LW P.J. AxelssonThomas goes into this season as the Bruins starting goalie and if he can hold off challenges from Fernandez and prospect Tuukka Rask they'll re-sign him. Fernandez and Axelsson could be traded before next summer.
Buffalo Sabres
RW Maxim Afinogenov, C Tim Connolly, RW Ales Kotalik, D Jaroslav SpacekWhile there is lots of talk of Afinogenov being shopped this summer, but so far there are no deals. Even if he bounces back from last year's sub-par performance, the Sabres might not re-sign him. The injury-prone Connolly probably won't be re-signed and Spacek might also be allowed to walk, but the Sabres could attempt to re-sign Kotalik.
Calgary Flames
D Adrian Aucoin, LW Todd Bertuzzi, LW Mike CammalleriAucoin is considered trade bait despite his no-trade clause and probably won't be re-signed. Bertuzzi will need a strong performance to earn another contract with the Flames, and if Cammalleri shines as expected, Flames management will likely retain him.
Carolina Hurricanes
LW Chad LaRoseAn energetic, checking line forward with decent scoring skills, LaRose wil likely become an affordable re-signing for the Hurricanes.
Chicago Blackhawks
RW Martin Havlat, G Nikolai Khabibulin, C Robert LangHavlat has the skills to be a top scorer, but is also more fragile than china. With youngsters Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews emerging as stars, Havlat might not be retained even if he has a strong year. Khabibulin might not even be with the Blackhawks by the start of the season, while an aging Lang will likely be allowed to hit the open market.
Colorado Avalanche
D Jordan Leopold, RW Ian Laperriere, G Andrew RaycroftInjuries have hampered Leopold's development since joining the Avalanche and another injury-filled season could see the end of his time in Colorado. If Raycroft can regain the form that made him rookie of the year in 2004, he could earn himself a contract extension. Laperriere is a gritty veteran but he could become expendable in the numbers game.
Columbus Blue Jackets
C Michael Peca, LW Mike YorkThe stock of these two veterans has been in steady decline since the lockout and barring a significant improvement, both could not only find themselves out of a job with the Blue Jackets next summer, but also out of the NHL.
Dallas Stars
D Phillipe Boucher, RW Jere Lehtinen, D Sergei ZubovBoucher had a career season in 2006-07, but was sidelined for most of last season by injury. He could end up the odd man out as younger defensemen push for roster spots. Lehtinen and Zubov have been Stars for a long time and for the right salaries could remain in Dallas.
Detroit Red Wings
C Johan Franzen, RW Marian Hossa, LW Henrik ZetterbergHossa will likely hit the open market next summer as his signing with the Red Wings is merely his attempt to win a Stanley Cup. Franzen and Zetterberg, however, are now the priority signings for Wings management, so don't expect those two to be available next summer.
Edmonton Oilers
RW Erik Cole, G Mathieu Garon, G Dwayne RolosonA strong season could earn Cole a new contract with the Oilers. Garon appears the strongest candidate for the job of starting goalie and he could earn a contract extension also. This will likely be Roloson's final season in Edmonton.
Florida Panthers
D Jay BouwmeesterThe good news for Panthers management is they avoided arbitration this summer with Bouwmeester by re-signing him to a one-year contract. The bad news is that barring a remarkable turnaround in their on-ice fortunes they'll be forced to either trade him before next summer or risk losing him for nothing to the UFA market.
Los Angeles Kings
LW Kyle Calder, G Jason LaBarberaLaBarbera showed promise as the Kings starting goalie last season, posting a .910 save percentage backstopping one of the league's worst defensive teams. Another strong performance could earn him a new contract. Calder's scoring touch has vanished in the last two years and if he doesn't find it soon, he won't return with the Kings.
Minnesota Wild
G Nicklas Backstrom, D Marc-Andre Bergeron, RW Marian GaborikWild management intends to start contract talks with Gaborik this summer, likely worth around $8.5 million per season, but it might take more than a big contract to sway him into staying. Backstrom will likely be re-signed, while Bergeron will need a career-best season to stay in Minnesota.
Member Comments
All you guys and gals , don't know what you are talking about . The only way that the Wings won , is from Scotty Bowman , period . Now , they don't have him , guess what ? They are falling , and look for the Blackhawks to fly . OH , the Wings will be in the mix , but , they are stumbing now , and later , they will trip and fall , in about 2 seasons . If you don't believe me ? Look at the Penguins , when they hired Bowman , and when he quit , when he joined the Wings . Same thing will happen , again. Bowman is the man .
warchief658/29/2008 8:05:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hope you don't choke on your words when the time comes kws ... ;-)<br />You obviously don't know the depth of the RedWings for years to come.
MsRedWingFan8/16/2008 18:51:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
RedWings also have goalie Daniel Larsson from Sweden who will play this season, either in Grand Rapids or for the RedWings. <br />I as a RedWings fan am not counting on the RedWings to repeat but think they stand the best chance of doing so. And it sure is going to be a really fun season coming up, and I for one can't wait.
MsRedWingFan8/16/2008 18:46:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Osgood still gets no respect, huh? Oh well, he does have Stanley anyway.<br /><br />By the way, teams have won Cups without "world class goalies" Tampa Bay anyone??
Lady_Jane8/13/2008 6:55:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Last year the Wings proved they were the best! This year I feel they won't make it out of the secound round. They have had the luxury of playing in the weakest div. in hockey, however, this year both Chicago and St. Louis will be MUCH improved and with the Wings being a year older and really lacking a world class goaltender I see an early exit for Detroit this year.
ksw88888888/12/2008 23:30:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
The Wings won the SC last year, however, enjoy it while you can. There is one large crack in the system they don't have a world class goalie. The other problems which will surface is age, lets face it the Wings are not getting any younger. Also for years the have had the luck to play in one of the worst divisions in hockey. That being said, both Chicago and St. Louis will be MUCH improved this year, and next year the Wings had better watch out (2010). I forsee at that time the Wings will struggle to make the playoffs. This upcoming year I don't see the Wings advancing past the secound round.
ksw88888888/12/2008 23:25:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Can't forget Wings propsect in goal, Jimmy Howard. Never know when these guys do so well in camp you have to keep 'em. Besides, with that defense I could play goal and post .930 SP and .75 GPG avg, lol.
WingInExile8/7/2008 14:39:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
lava...my apologies...I had no idea the Wings landed Conklin. I was assuming they hadn't gone after a back up as of yet. All we here is the movement of front line scorers, not back up goalies. Conklin will put up some good numbers with the defense the Wings will put up. Good for you guys....bad for the rest of the league. I guess it'll be another l o n g year trying to beat the Wings. Dammit!
99cupchamps8/7/2008 8:17:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
99-Your kidding right?? Osgood and Hasek both had 27 wins. Osgood however had a better GAA, save %, and had less regulation losses. O yea and Osgood had the lowest GAA in the league, but Hasek got them in the playoffs right???? Plus Osgood pretty much proved him self by going 14-4 in the playoffs. <br /><br />AS far as a back up goalie goes they have Ty Conklin, who had 18 wins in 33 games for the Penguins, thats only one less that Fleury. He kept the Pensguins in the playoff race when Fleury got hurt.<br /><br />You sadly mistaking, the Wings are fine in goal.
lavalamp0098/6/2008 20:00:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
i can see what you're saying. in today's nhl, the best teams have backups that could start on any other team.... and in some cases already have. if what you're saying about osgood is neccessary, the backup is conklin... who's been a starter. not a vezina trophy candidate of course, but a solid goalie that can come on in relief
CptConcussion968/6/2008 15:59:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
CptCon...I can't argue with the success Osgood had in the post season, once he got his chance. Hasek pretty much got the Wings to the playoff, I just don't see Osgood doing it by himself this year. The Wings will need help in the pipes if they want a repeat performance of last year.
99cupchamps8/6/2008 14:42:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
hey 99.... i think we all saw that we cannot yet count osgood out. true he's no youngster anymore. but i haven't seen any proof that his ability has dropped at all. and trust me..... i am nothing even close to resembling a red wings shill. but, osgood was a good story last year and the guy can still stop a puck with the best of them... and 35 is not ancient.
CptConcussion968/6/2008 10:15:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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larenf8/5/2008 14:17:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey all you Wings fans...you talk about Hossa, Zets and the others. Great scorers indeed, however, you seem to be forgetting one VERY IMPORTANT fact....who's gonna stop the puck??? You honestly don't believe that Osgood is going to play all 82 games next season, do you? Unless the Wings are planning on winning all of their games 7-5, 6-3, they better find some help in goal! Osgood ain't no spring chicken!
99cupchamps8/5/2008 13:11:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
i'm on strike until AEG sells the kings or pulls their head out of their penny-pinching *ss
smartestmanalive8/4/2008 23:28:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Delwood, did the Detroit Homies of Probert and Kocur turn thier backs to Chicago? With the Hawks then and as now you only have to withstand the 1st 5 minutes, in Chicago. Remember how Al Secor would always show his back to the ice by being punched to it. Well they don't fight like that(unfortunatly) anymore, so the Wing Homies of today just show you our backs as they move up ice with all teams in the NHL chasing. But I will give you if Det. & Chi. can revive that electrity of the 1990's the better for both cities.
h82looz8/4/2008 13:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
You Detroit homers better not turn your back on the Blackhawks this year...recall the Hawks won the season series with you in 2007-2008.
delwood8/4/2008 9:38:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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