‘Cream’ of the crop
It says a lot about the free-agent talent pool when the best players available might be a third-pairing defenceman (Mike Green) and a winger who has never scored 25 goals or 35 points (Matt Beleskey). There are still plenty of secondary players who can help a team. But if a general manager is using July 1 to drastically improve his team, he will come away disappointed. Postmedia hockey writer Michael Traikos offers a list of the top 10 free agents available on Wednesday:
Matt Beleskey Left wing, Anaheim
2014-15 cap hit $1.35 million ❚Beleskey, a 27-year-old who never scored more than 11 goals or 24 points in a season, put up career numbers of 22 goals and 32 points last season and was an overtime hero for the Ducks in the playoffs. From Ville Leino to David Clarkson, there are plenty of examples of steering clear of a player who has a breakout season just as he is becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Mike Green Defence, Washington
2014-15 cap hit $6.08 million ❚It has been a while since Green was up for the Norris Trophy or scored anything close to 30 goals and 70 points. But as a right-shot defenceman who can play on the power play, the 29-year-old still has value. How much value will depend on the needs of the team that signs him. Washington’s defence was so deep that Green, who has his defensive warts, was playing on the third pairing and the second power-play unit.
Mike Ribeiro Centre, Nashville
2014-15 cap hit $1.05 million ❚Ribeiro, 35, took advantage of a one-year “prove-us-wrong” contract by finishing in the top 40 in scoring. But the jury might still be out on whether he has turned the corner and become a player you invest long-term in, especially with an unseemly ongoing civil lawsuit still humming in the background. This much we know: Ribeiro is capable of being a second-line centre. Nashville was interested enough in bringing him back that they offered a reported two-year deal worth US$9 million that Ribeiro rejected.
Andrej Sekera Defence, Los Angeles
2014-15 cap hit $2.75 million ❚With Slava Voynov’s future with the Kings in doubt, it looked like GM Dean Lombardi would re-sign Sekera, who was acquired from Carolina for a first-round pick at the trade deadline. But cap space is an issue, especially after acquiring Milan Lucic at the draft. Sekera, 29, is probably not going to replicate the career-best 11 goals and 44 points he scored in 2013-14. But he showed in Los Angeles he is still a top-four defenceman.
Cody Franson Defence, Nashville
2014-15 cap hit $3.3 million ❚Which version of the 29-year-old are teams willing to pay for: the one who scored 32 points on a top-pairing role in Toronto or the one who had four points in 23 games while buried in the depth chart in Nashville? Right-handed defenceman who can score on the power play are always valuable.
Antoine Vermette Centre, Chicago
2014-15 cap hit $3.75 million ❚Vermette, 32, is a perfect example of how a player’s role can dramatically change depending on the team. In Arizona, he was a No. 1 centre and top scorer. In Chicago, he was a healthy scratch on some nights, even early in the playoffs. But while the Blackhawks paid a hefty price for a depth forward at the trade deadline, Vermette made it worth their while in the playoffs, scoring three game-winners en route to a Stanley Cup.
Paul Martin Defence, Pittsburgh
2014-15 cap hit $5 million ❚One of the few Pittsburgh defencemen who remained mostly healthy last season, Martin, 34, is a steady, shutdown defenceman who can move the puck and can still put up between 20 to 30 points. His age is starting to become a concern, especially if teams are expecting him to play on their top pairing. But for a team that needs help shepherding young defenceman to the next level, Martin is a perfect fit to play a mentor role and still be effective.
Mike Richards Centre, Los Angeles
2014-15 cap hit $5.75 million ❚The Kings, who announced Monday they have terminated the final five years of Richards’ contract, would save having to pay the remaining two-thirds of the money he is owed if they are successful. If he hits the free-agent market, the 30-year-old could still be a heartand-soul third-line centre. After the reality check of playing in the minors last season, he could be motivated to prove Los Angeles wrong.
Andrei Kostitsyn Right wing, KHL
2014-15 cap hit Not applicable ❚It has been three years since Kostitsyn last played in the NHL, but after breaking off his contract in the KHL, the former Canadiens forward is drawing interest from NHL clubs. Whoever signs him will do so with caution. The last we saw of Kostistyn, he and Alexander Radulov were kept out of a playoff game with the Predators in 2012 for a curfew violation. Still, having scored 0.55 points per game in his seven-year NHL career, he is an interesting option.
P.A. Parenteau Right wing, Montreal
2014-15 cap hit $4 million ❚An injury-filled season, which featured on-ice struggles and stints watching from the press box, led the Canadiens to place Parenteau, who had one year remaining on his contract, on waivers with the purpose of buying him out. Whether it was an off year or a sign of things to come for the 32-year-old is what general managers will be wrestling with.