NHL Free Agency: 10 Players Who Will Break the Bank in 2011
Once the NHL season is complete, the league's general managers have the time to target players who suit their needs. Here's a look at some free agents who will be making boatloads this offseason.
Although the list of impending unrestricted free agents is thin, there are heaps of young, talented restricted free agents who are due to have their contracts renegotiated.
One thing that I've noticed is the abundance of restricted free-agent defensemen. This may be a year chock full of offer sheets for teams in need of assistance on the back end.
I've omitted two UFA goaltenders: Ilya Bryzgalov and Tomas Vokoun. Goalies tend to get paid less than their teammates these days, and I'm not expecting any extravagant numbers for the men behind the masks.
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10. Drew Stafford, RFA, Buffalo Sabres
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Drew Stafford has scored 28 goals in an injury-shortened season with the Buffalo Sabres. Already hitting a career-high in goals, the young forward will most likely reach 30 for the season.
Stafford is set to become a restricted free agent and he should expect a big increase from the $2.3 million that he made this year—even if he has been streaky in the past.
9. Nicklas Lidstrom, UFA, Detroit Red Wings
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Nick Lidstrom will most likely win the Norris Trophy at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas after he continues to wow the hockey world.
The 40-year-old is quite possibly the best defenseman to ever play the game and is still deserving of the $6.2 million he made this season.
I would be shocked if Lidstrom did not get offered the same kind of money from the Red Wings before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
8. Keith Yandle, RFA, Phoenix Coyotes
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Keith Yandle is an ultra-talented, up-and-coming NHL defenseman. In all probability, Yandle will be a finalist for the Norris Trophy this season.
He is making $1.3 million this season heading into restricted free-agency.
If I was a GM on an opposing NHL team, I would definitely write up an offer sheet. Yandle will only get better.
7. James Wisniewski, UFA, Montreal Canadiens
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When the Anaheim Ducks signed and traded restricted free-agent James Wisniewski to the New York Islanders last offseason, I’m not quite sure they thought he would perform as well he has been.
The defenseman and his cannon of a point shot have been key aspects of the Montreal Canadiens’ (which acquired him earlier on the season) power play.
He is a UFA at season’s end and should get a healthy raise from the $3.23 million he is currently making.
6. Christian Ehrhoff, UFA, Vancouver Canucks
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The Vancouver Canucks’ Christian Ehrhoff will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
With exception to one hiccup (the 2007-2008 season, in which he registered only 22 points) the German defenseman has steadily improved throughout his career, reaching a career-high 48 points thus far this season.
Ehrhoff is making $3.1 million this season. Expect him to make upwards of $5 million next year.
5. Drew Doughty, RFA, Los Angeles Kings
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Drew Doughty is one of the most exciting young defensemen in the NHL.
Last season, Doughty registered 59 points, excelled in Team Canada’s gold-medal victory in the Olympics and he was a finalist for the Norris Trophy given to the league’s best defenseman.
He was concussed this season, setting him back—albeit not that much. Doughty has managed to score 38 points thus far.
The 21-year-old is scheduled to be a restricted free agent at season’s end. He currently makes $3.5 million.
Apparently, Doughty’s agent and the Kings have spoken, but no contract has been agreed upon.
I can only imagine a very big raise for Doughty is in the cards.
4. Shea Weber, RFA, Nashville Predators
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Shea Weber is one of the best defensemen in the league. At only 25 years old, he has a lot of time to improve.
Weber currently makes $4.5 million per year. He is a restricted free agent due for a raise.
The Nashville Predators will do whatever they can to hold on to Weber, but they’ll have to pray that he’ll take some sort of pay cut to remain captain of the Preds.
There is always the possibility that a team may swoop in with an offer sheet.
Whichever team Weber ends up on, his salary will be north of $6 million annually, guaranteed.
3. Steven Stamkos, RFA, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Steven Stamkos’ rookie contract expires at the end of the season, making him a restricted free agent.
Here’s a question: How much should a 21-year-old former 50-goal scorer (with a chance of repeating the feat this season) earn?
A lot of money is the answer you were looking for.
The Lightning is going to have to let some other UFAs walk in order to give Stamkos the money he rightfully deserves.
2. Zach Parise, RFA, New Jersey Devils
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It’s going to be very tough for Lou Lamoriello and the New Jersey Devils to hold on to Zach Parise.
After designating a ton of money to Ilya Kovalchuk, the Devils probably don’t have the means to re-sign the 26-year-old 45-goal scorer.
Parise is currently a $3.1 million cap hit, but that number will surely double when he becomes an arbitration-eligible free agent this offseason.
1. Brad Richards, UFA, Dallas Stars
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Brad Richards is the biggest name of the 2011 unrestricted free-agency class. When the Tampa Bay Lightning signed Richards to a whopping five-year, $39-million deal after his 2005-2006 breakout season, many thought it was a terrible move.
Although Richards scored 91 points in that regular season and was the recipient of the Conn Smythe Trophy for his performance in the playoffs leading to the Lightning’s Stanley Cup victory, was he really worth the money?
Well, it’s time for a new contract, and he should be getting the same amount—if not more.
Even with two less-than-stellar seasons, Richards has emerged as an elite centreman in the NHL with the Dallas Stars.
All that remains to be seen is if Richards will be making his money in Dallas or elsewhere.
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