Typically this time of the summer is when the free agent signings start to straggle a bit. This year is no different really.  What we still do have are a few outstanding stories.

Kovalchuck watch is still on: I don’t know if he just likes being on the front page of every hockey site or is just holding out for as much as he can get, but Kovy just won’t sign. The Kings, where I keep reading he wants to go, keep flip flopping on if they are in or if they are out.  I think they are trying to use the fact he wants to be there for their own good and get him as cheap as possible. The Devils on the other had keep steady with the rumor of 7 years 60 million. That would mean the delay with them is also looking for trading partners to lose some salary. The only thing is certain is the Isles appear to be out of the Kovy circus. Which is fine with me. I had been wavering back and forth like I mentioned, but I think it’s best he won’t be on the island. He’s a selfish player both on and off the ice and that stuff might fly if you are a Ranger it doesn’t fly as much as an Islander. Let them get a few vets in the team and let them mingle with the kids. (more on the vets later).

Frolov– Will he stay or will he go??:  Prob the # 2 FA out there right now (In most people’s eyes) is Alexander Frolov. However, like another Russian we know he seems to want his cake and eat it too. He recently stated if he doesn’t sign in a week he will go to the KHL. He made 4 million last year which is WAY overpriced for a guy who only managed 19 goals inthe regular season and all of ONE in the playoffs. He’s not going to get 4 mil right now from a smart team and his crying won’t sit with older guys on teams. He might just end up in the KHL. Buh Bye.

Plenty of Free Agents andVets available for a decent price:  Looking at the list of guys available I see A LOT of bargain players who can really help a team (Especially my Canes and Isles).

Center:  Mike Modanno sticks out to me the most. Key is, what is he asking? I can see him looking to sign for 1.5-2 mil on a good team to try and get one more chance at a cup.  Other names available still are —>  John Madden, Jason Williams, Brendon Morrison, Eric Belanger. All of which should go for less then or equal to 2 mil a season.

Left Wing: Other then Frolov, here we have a bunch of guys who were all a bit overpaid last year. I think they might all be waiting to see who is the high bidder before making a decision. These include—> Slava Kozlov (3.85 mil last year???), Raffi Torres (2.75) , Frerick Modin (3.5), Paul Kariya (6.0) and Alex Ponikorovsky (2.5).  At this point I don’t see any of these guys worth more then 2.5-3.0 even Kariya, who is a big name but hasn’t scored more then 20 goals in 4 years. Look for the down free agent spending to keep these guys low too.

Right Wing: This is an interesting position b/c there hasn’t been alot of movement here at all. A ton of guys remain. The two names who will prolly draw in the 4 mil range are Lee Stempniak and Pavol Demitra.  Demitra might be a stretch b/c he didn’t play a whole lot last year but he still is a sniper that someone might want. Stempniak can be a bonafide 30-40 goal scorer on the right team. Whats left over is a bunch of suitable guys who might bring in 2-3.0 mil  —> Marek Svatos, Fernando Pisani, Owen Nolan, Bill Guerrin, Scott Walker, and of course Selanne who might just give it one more shot with the Ducks.

Defense: Most of the big names are gone. There are a couple of decent guys looking for work Randy Jones, MArk-Andre Bergeron, Paul Mara, Garnet Exelby but for the most part what is left is a bunch of guys I think will stay with their old clubs for slight raises and then some Vets looking for one more year. The one big name that I haven’t hear much about and am curious as to what he does is Kim Johnnson. He suffered a nasty concussion and I am not sure if he comes back or not.  Some of the guys I think will staywith their former team are: Nick Boyntin (Ana), Andreas Lilja (Det), Lukas Krajicek (Phil), Garnet Exelby (Tor), Willie Mitchell/ Brad Lukowich (van), and Shaone Morrison (Was).   Now it’s entirely possible these guys go elsewhere it’s just too hard to predict with no real buzz out there about D men other then who might end up with Tomas Kaberle in a trade.

However, we do has some Veteran D-men looking for some work. Most I think will sign for cheap (1-2 mil?) or hope for that one last cash in contract for more—> Jason Smith, Aaron Ward, Mathieu Schneider (at 40 I doubt it), Ruslan Salei, Andy Sutton, Mike Rathje, Brian Pothier.

Goalies: These guys went pretty quick this summer.First we have 2 legit starters who haven’t found a home yet. Marty Turco (33) and Vesa Toskala (32) are both guys who can still play and both should be starting somewhere. I think a playoff type team who needs some stronger goaltending will snatch up one of these guys with another possibly having to settle for a platoon situation somewhere.   What we have left is Jose Theodore, who just isn’t a starter anymore, and couple of pure backups in Stephen Valiquette, and Yann Danis. Danis showed he can post some good save % as a backup and that is pretty valuable, but he’s just not a # 1.  And finally there’s Ray Emery. There is a distinct possibilty that the abdominal injury he suffered last year could be enough to force him to retire. Good luck in the rehab but the constant injuries might be too much for him to come back from this time.

That’s about it for now, stay tuned never know what the GeekJock will write about next!

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