NHL Free Agency 2011: Ranking Teemu Selanne and the Top 15 Scorers on the Market
By (Correspondent) on April 11, 2011
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Even though the Stanley Cup playoffs are only just beginning this week, we know that the end of the season is not too far off and will come much too quickly.
Then, the free agent market will open.
There are many great options out there for teams looking for scoring, including some hidden gems.
Here are the top 15 scorers on the market.
15. Tomas Fleischmann
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Tomas Fleischmann has some health concerns. However, if he can recuperate and return to his old self, he’s a fantastic scorer.
In 2009, he scored 23 goals and added 28 assists for 51 points.
This year, he started his season in Washington slowly and then suffered injuries. He accumulated 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points.
14. Tomas Kopecky
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Tomas Kopecky will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
The Chicago Blackhawks forward has accumulated 15 goals, 27 assists and 42 points this year.
13. Nicklas Lidstrom
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When thinking of top scorers, typically a defenseman wouldn't enter the conversation.
However, Nicklas Lidstrom deserves to be part of the conversation. His 16 goals, 46 assists and 62 points are more impressive than a lot of forwards' numbers.
While he will be an UFA, most teams really won't have a shot at him.
12. Brooks Laich
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Washington Capitals forward Brooks Laich will become a free agent after this season.
Laich has 16 goals, 32 assists and 48 points.
More importantly, his goals are often very timely, coming when the team needs them most.
11. Jason Arnott
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Jason Arnott was a highly sought-after forward at the trade deadline before being traded to Washington.
He'll be a highly sought-after forward in free agency this year as well.
Arnott had 17 goals, 14 assists and 31 points during the regular season.
10. Ryan Jones
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The Edmonton Oilers forward is set to become a free agent this summer.
Jones has 18 goals, 7 assists and 25 points. That's a respectable amount of goal-scoring to add to a line-up.
9. Andrew Brunette
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Minnesota Wild impending-UFA Andrew Brunette has 18 goals, 28 assists and 46 points this year.
And that's with the Wild.
8. Simon Gagne
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Simon Gagne will become a UFA this year.
Gagne accumulated 17 goals, 23 assists and 40 points this season.
Fun fact: these were his exact numbers last year for the Flyers too. That's not really related to his scoring ability, just an interesting tidbit.
7. Pascal Dupuis
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Pascal Dupuis is set to become an UFA following the season.
Much of Dupuis' success has been attributed to linemate Sidney Crosby. However, even without his superstar linemate, Dupuis has fared well.
Dupuis had 17 goals, 20 assists and 37 points this season and will surely factor into the Penguins playoff scoring as well.
6. Ville Leino
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Ville Leino is often overshadowed by his teammates. It's tough to shine when playing on a team that has Claude Giroux, Danny Briere and Mike Richards.
However, Leino has posted respectable numbers this season: 19 goals and 34 assists for 53 points.
He's been a large part of Philly's depth at forward.
5. Scottie Upshall
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Scottie Upshall is a free agent now.
Upshall was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the trade deadline because they were looking to bolster their scoring.
Upshall posted 22 goals, 12 assists and 34 points this year between the Phoenix Coyotes and Blue Jackets.
4. Milan Hejduk
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The Colorado Avalanche forward is a free agent now.
Hejduk has 22 goals, 34 assists and 56 points on the season.
3. Alex Tanguay
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The Calgary Flames forward is a free agent.
Tanguay accumulated 22 goals, 47 assists and 69 points this season.
2. Brad Richards
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Brad Richards is the most high-profile UFA this off-season and he's one of the top scorers too.
Richards had 28 goals, 49 assists and 77 points this past season.
1. Teemu Selanne
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Anaheim Ducks' alternate captain Teemu Selanne is set to become a UFA after the Ducks' season ends.
Selanne has an impressive 31 goals, 49 assists and 80 points this season.
Not bad for a 40-year-old. Not bad for anyone actually.
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