2011 NHL Free Agent Lineups: The Bargains, the Overpaid and the Best Available

Starting July 1, front offices around the NHL are "endowed certain unalienable rights," that include cap space, negotiations and the pursuit of free agents.

While not as grandiose as the "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence, or as historic as America's 235th birthday, free agency provides a spark to July much like the fireworks you all lit last night.

Today marks the fifth day of business between NHL GMs, players and agents. Players are scooping up in this 2011 market with the cap increased to $64.3 million, but teams have also found some bargains. So let's make some lineups based on all the action in the so-called "free agent frenzy."

The good, the bad and the upcoming...

The Bargains: Starting Lineup

Starting at Center...

Marty Reasoner - Signed two-year, $2.7 million deal with the Islanders (2010-2011 salary: $1.15 million)

Things seem to be turning around on Long Island and Reasoner, 34, is a prime addition. He is a prototypical checking line center, winning 54.5% of faceoffs last year, which was 21st best in the league. He finished with 32 points and was a plus-2 despite the Panthers having the 8th worst goal differential in the league. The New York native will head home and help fill the veteran void left by the retiring Bill Guerin.

At Right Wing...

Steve Sullivan - Signed one-year, $1.5 million contract with Penguins (2010-2011 salary: $3.75 million)

Steve Sullivan has had a difficult time staying on the ice, but it certainly isn't a reflection of his talents. The little big man has shown point-per-game potential at various points in his career, but injuries have forced him to sit 186 of a possible 410 regular-season games in the past five years. Coming from Nashville, Sullivan will join a team in Pittsburgh that isn't so starved for offense. He will join a deep roster with the Pens likely getting their stars back for next year. Experience, skill, and leadership - all for $2 million less than what Florida gave Scottie Upshall...

At Left Wing...

Simon Gagne - Signed with the Kings for two years and $7 million (2010-2011 salary: $5.25 million)

Like Steve Sullivan, Gagne being a bargain comes with an asterisk as it all depends on his health. He has missed a combined total of 43 games in the last two years. But when healthy, there are few goal scorers better than Gagne. He once hit the 40-goal plateau in back-to-back seasons for the Flyers. He will be reunited with former Philly teammate Mike Richards in Los Angeles. And with a cap hit of just $3.5 million, Gagne could provide a royal return for the rising Kings.

On Defense...

Sheldon Souray - Signed one-year, $1.65 million contract with the Stars (2010-2011 salary: $5.4 million)

We've seen more drama than game from Souray as of late, but a change of scenery could turn things around. This signing defines "low risk, high reward." With a big shot from the point, Souray could be a huge addition for Big D. It was just a couple years ago that he put up 53 points. The Dallas Stars were very active on Day 1 of the free agency period, and bringing in Souray has the potential to be one of the biggest steals of the year. 

Ian White - Signed with the Red Wings for two years and $5.75 million (2010-2011 salary: $3 million)

Red Wings GM, Ken Holland took the money Brian Rafalski saved him and added two new faces to the Detroit blueline: Mike Commodore and Ian White. The latter has done a lot of moving over the year and a half, but he's still just 26 years old. White, a well-rounded defenseman, will join a blueline that is as solid as they come. Perhaps the stability that the Red Wings personify will help White take his game to the next level. 

And In Net...

Tomas Vokoun - Signed on with the Capitals for one year, $1.5 million (2010-2011 salary: $5.7 million)

Could Tomas Vokoun be the missing link for the Caps? GM George McPhee should be arrested for the larceny of a goaltender of this caliber. Vokoun has more shutouts in the past three years (19) than Henrik Lundqvist (18), Ilya Bryzgalov (18), Roberto Luongo (17), and Ryan Miller (15).

Though the Capitals are deep between the pipes, Vokoun likely gets the starting nod, while mentoring the young incumbent Michal Neuvirth, a fellow Czech.

Vokoun wasn't short on suitors. Colorado, Phoenix were more likely destinations, but it came down to winning over cashing in. The netminder will be entering his 13th full season in the league having been to the playoffs only twice. So you know a Stanley Cup is on his wish list, which is something he has in common with No. 8, Alex Ovechkin.

Second Unit: Here is the next line of bargains from the 2011 crop of free agents...

C - Cody McCormick - Re-signed with Sabres for three-years, $3.6 million (2010-2011 salary: $500,000)

W - Andrew Brunette - Signed with Blackhawks for one year, $2 million (2010-2011 salary: $2.33million)

W - Niclas Bergfors - Signed a one year, $575,000 deal with Nashville (2010-2011 salary: $900,000)

W - Alexei Ponikarovsky - Signed with Carolina for one year, $1.5 million (2010-2011 salary: $2 million)

D - Mike Commodore - Signed a one year, $1 million deal with Detroit (2010-2011 salary: $3.75 million)

G - Jean-Sebastien Giguere - Signed with Avs for two years, $2.5 million (2010-2011 salary: $6 million)

The Overpaid: Starting Lineup

Starting at Center...

Tomas Fleischmann - Signed with Florida for four years, $18 million (2010-2011 salary: $2.6 million)

Look, I get that the cap went up five million. I also understand Florida was about a billion underneath the cap floor. But I don't understand how missing half a season and putting up 31 points warrants a $2 million annual raise. Fleischmann now only makes $275,000 less per year than Tim Connolly.

Certainly not the first time Dale Tallon grossly overpaid a player in his career, as you'll see later in this lineup...

At Right Wing...

Scottie Upshall - Signed four-year, $14 million contract with Florida (2010-2011 salary: $2.25 million)

We've seen more from Upshall on Twitter than we have from him on the ice. Yet he was one of four forwards to get a four-year deal from the Panthers. The same Scottie Upshall who has never played more the 61 games in a season. Yes, the same Upshall whose career high in points is 34, set this past year. And yes, the same Scottie who has played a total of 21 games in April, May, and June in his career (FYI: they all came in April).

At Left Wing...

Ville Leino - Signed with the Sabres for six years, $27 million (2010-2011 salary: $800,000)

Sabres' Owner Terry Pegula's isn't afraid to spend. The Sabres went after Leino and gave him nearly six times more money per year than he made in 2010-2011. Last year he set career highs in goals (19) and assists (34) for the Flyers. However, it was really his first full, productive season at the NHL level. So making him the third highest paid forward on your team could probably be viewed as a bit of a gamble.

The key to improving your team is marketing your franchise as one that is willing to do and pay whatever it takes to win. It seems they are certainly doing that in Buffalo. 

On Defense...

James Wisniewski - Signed with Columbus for six years, $33 million (2010-2011 salary: $3.25 million)

Blue Jackets' GM Scott Howson is showing some stones this offseason, that is for sure. He has done a lot to revamp the franchise's image this offseason: trading for Jeff Carter and overpaying for Wisniewski.

Putting up 51 points in a season is respectable, but the body of work doesn't warrant the price tag. Want to see the CarFax on "Wiz?" Columbus will be his fifth different city since the 2008-2009 season. Nonetheless he now has a cap hit that is only $38,462 less than Norris Trophy-winner, Stanley Cup champion, and former Blackhawks teammate Duncan Keith.

In 2011-2012, he will be the sixth highest-paid blue-liner behind Christian Ehrhoff, Zdeno Chara, Duncan Keith, Chris Pronger, and Brian Campbell. Gulp...

Ed Jovanovski - Signed four-year, $16.5 million deal with the Panthers (2010-2011 salary: $6.5 million)

"Jovo-Cop" is heading back to where it all started; the team that drafted him first overall in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. That is a great story, and how things should end for such a veteran. Wait, four years and over $16 million?! 

Since posting a career-high 51 points in 2007-2008, Jovanovski's production has declined, falling to just 14 points this last season. Yeah, that Sheldon Souray deal is looking awfully tasty now isn't it?

And In Net...

Semyon Varlamov - Traded to Avs, signed three-year, $8.5 million deal (2010-2011 salary: $765,000)

Yes, you heard right. The Avalanche gave up a potential lottery pick in next year's draft, along with a conditional second rounder for a goalie has never started more than 25 games in a season.

"Well wait just a minute, Stephen. Did you know that Varlamov had the fourth best save percentage in the league last year at .924?!" Why yes I did. Did you know he only appeared in 27 games and faced a mere 759 shots? (For perspective: Robert Luongo saw 1,753 pucks in 60 appearances, and Ryan Miller had a look at 1,964 shots in 66 games played).

I won't compare Tomas Vokoun's deal with the Caps to Colorado, as the Avs likely would have had to pay more. But the Avalanche likely gave up more than necessary. An offer sheet to the restricted free agent, Varlamov would have only required a second round pick. Instead they added a potential top-10 draft selection to the deal for a goalie who hasn't been a clear-cut number one guy and who often is hurt.

Varlamov is still just 23 years old, so things may work out. That is what Avs fans are hoping for. As if they needed something else to worry about after the Chris Stewart trade...

Second Unit: Here is the next line of overpaid acquisitions from the 2011 crop of free agents...

C- Tomas Kopecky - Signed with Panthers for four years, $12 million (2010-2011 salary: $1.2 million)

W - Sean Bergenheim - Inked a four-year, $11 million deal with Florida (2010-2011 salary: $700,000)

W - Erik Cole - Signed with Montreal for four years, $18 million (2010-2011 salary: $2.9 million)

D - Jonathan Ericsson - Inked three year, $9.75 million deal with Detroit (2010-2011 salary: $900,000)

D - Andy Greene - Re-signed in New Jersey for three years, $12 million (2010-2011 salary: $738,000)

The Best Available: Starting Lineup

Starting at Center...

Vaclav Prospal - Top Suitors: Flames, Jets (2010-2011 salary: $2.1 million)

Vinny is marching up that proverbial hill, but he showed in an injury-shortened 2010-2011 season that he still has some game left. The center notched 23 points in 29 games for the Rangers and was a shot in the New York offensive arm when he came back. Prospal is good in the circle and will no doubt garner interest, but production depends on his body.

At Right Wing...

Jamie Langenbrunner - Top Suitors: Stars, Blues, Wild, Canucks, Jets (2010-2011 salary: $2.8 million)

The Minnesota native should have a lengthy line of potential callers. Dallas GM Joe Nieuwendyk has said that the team would like to re-sign Langenbrunner. The winger saw his point production cut in half last season - he had just 32 points compared to 61 in 2009-2010. That drop may affect his value, but the right fit, combined with his experience have him ready for a bounce back.

At Left Wing...

Antti Miettinen - Top Suitors: Sharks, Ducks, Jets, Canucks, Flyers (2010-2011 salary: $2.33 million)

Four straight years of 34 or more points for the talented Finn. Last year with the Wild, Miettinen played on the top line; he netted four game-winners and eight goals on the man advantage. There aren't many top line spots open around the league. However, teams looking to add some offensive depth will take a long look at Miettinen, who turned 31 over the weekend.

On Defense...

Tomas Kaberle - Top Suitors: Bruins, Devils, Wild (2010-2011 salary: $4.25 million)

The top blue-liner left in this free agent class, Kaberle is said to be taking his time with the process. Many believe he will end up back in a Bruins uniform come next year, but if the money isn't right there are other potential landing spots. He didn't exactly go Paul Revere and light the lamp in Beantown, but Kaberle still finished the year with 47 points. In his twelve-year career, he has just three seasons with less that 38 points. But at the age of 32, it comes down to the desire for one last contract or the pursuit of another ring.

(Update: Kaberle has since signed a three-year, $12.75 million contract. Reports say Joe Corvo asked the Hurricanes for a trade over the weekend, prompting Carolina to get involved with Kaberle)

Bryan McCabe - Top Suitors: Devils, Wild, Blue Jackets, Islanders (2010-2011 salary: $5.75 million)

The long time power-play specialist has a handful of teams interested in his services. At 36 years of age, McCabe's prime is past him, but he has shown he can still produce at a moderate level. He had a down year last season with only 28 points, but 13 of those came on the man advantage. A return to New York is possible, but given the dough they just put in Brad Richards' pocket, that isn't likely.

And In Net...

Ray Emery - Top Suitors: Red Wings (2010-2011 salary: $500,000)

The always-polarizing goaltender had been out of hockey for a year with a severe hip condition before returning to the game in inspiring fashion last year with the Ducks. In Anaheim, Emery filled in well for injured Jonas Hiller, splitting time with Dan Ellis. He started ten games, going 7-2 with a .926 save percentage and a 2.28 goals-against average. Though he didn't play as well in the playoffs, Emery showed he is healthy and can still stop some pucks. Starting jobs have gone quickly this offseason, so the best he may be able to do is a comfy backup spot or perhaps a training camp battle. Detroit seems to be the best option right now.

Second Unit: Here is the next line of overpaid acquisitions from the 2011 crop of free agents...

C - Jason Arnott (2010-2011 salary: $4.5 million)

W - Nikolai Zherdev (2010-2011 salary: $2 million)

W - Sergei Samsonov (2010-2011 salary: $2.53 million)

D - Brent Sopel (2010-2011 salary: $2.33 million)

G - Marty Turco (2010-2011 salary: $1.3 million)