Slow free-agent market should pick up soon
It’s now been over a month since the NHL’s unrestricted free-agent period began and a number of notable players still remain unsigned.
Topping the list, of course, is forward Ilya Kovalchuk, whose 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils is currently headed to arbitration this week.
Former Dallas Stars forward Mike Modano last month suggested he’d either sign with the Detroit Red Wings or retire but since then it’s rumored the Anaheim Ducks, L.A. Kings, Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks expressed interest. Modano said he’d wait until he started skating again in early August before deciding if he’ll return for another NHL season and which team he might join.
Veteran winger Teemu Selanne has been in ongoing talks with the Anaheim Ducks, but it’s also possible he might retire.
Former Penguins forward Bill Guerin was linked to the Boston Bruins but given their limited cap space in the wake of their acceptance of Blake Wheeler’s arbitration award, they can't afford him. The Pens are thought to be interested in bringing him back.
Lee Stempniak is believed to still be in contact with the Phoenix Coyotes and several weeks ago told The Buffalo News if the Sabres called he’d be willing to listen. So far it appears the Sabres aren’t making any further plans to dip into the free-agent market.
Physical defensemen Andy Sutton and Willie Mitchell are still available, as is puck-moving blueliner Marc-Andre Bergeron. The Ducks, Kings, Lightning, Sharks, Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets are in the market for defensemen so it’s possible by month’s end those three could be signed with new clubs.
Former All-Star winger Paul Kariya also remains available, yet there’s been no hint so far from his camp as to what offers — if any — he’s received. Even the Internet rumor mill has been quiet concerning Kariya’s status.
It’s been suggested the free-agent market will be spurred once Kovalchuk’s contract status is resolved and with the salary arbitration period for other players now finished.
Kovalchuk’s situation, however, has little impact upon the market as it affects only the Devils and perhaps the Kings, the only other team to seriously bid for him. Kings management hinted they might try again if the arbiter rules in favor of the league’s contention his contract with the Devils circumvents the salary cap.
The real factors adversely affecting the market are the lack of quality depth in available talent, a majority of teams having too little cap space to spend, and those which have space being under self-imposed salary caps much lower than the league’s ceiling.
That’s not to say those notable free agents still available won’t be signed but rather they might find themselves signing deals considerable shorter and worth considerably less than they expected.
