Brent Seabrook and Zach Parise: Looking Ahead at 2011 Free Agency
Last season it was Ilya Kovalchuk, Patrick Marleau, and Anton Volchenkov, this year it will be Zach Parise, Joe Thornton, and Brent Seabrook. Free agency will, once again, provide a big storyline next summer.
Listed in the following slides are the 25 most notable players who could potentially be unrestricted free agents after the 2010-11 NHL season.
25. Jamie Langenbrunner
1 of 25
2009 Stats:
19 goals, 61 pts (81 games played)
Analysis:
One year removed from netting 29 goals, Jamie Langenbrunner started to show his age last year.
Langenbrunner, 35, was no slouch: he still came close to netting 20 goals and captain the United States Olympic Team, but was unable to rally his team around him during the playoffs and had his leadership questioned by some critics.
Still a productive player with valuable experience, Langenbrunner will still have value if he hits the open market next season.
24. Jason Arnott
2 of 25
2009 Stats:
19 goals, 46 pts (63 games played)
Analysis:
After spending the last four years in Nashville, the former Predator captain joins the Devils for his second stint in New Jersey.
Jason Arnott's production has dropped as he has aged, but he is still capable of finding the back of the net when he has to.
23. Craig Anderson
3 of 25
2009 Stats:
38 wins, 2.63 gaa, .917 sv% (71 games played)
Analysis:
After three years backing up Tomas Vokoun in Florida, Craig Anderson had a breakout season last year when he played 71 games for the rebuilding Colorado Avalanche.
Anderson will have to use this year to prove that his play in 2009 was not a fluke. If he can he's in for a large paycheck in the near future.
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22. Kevin Bieksa
4 of 25
2009 Stats:
3 goals, 22pts (55 games played)
Analysis:
Kevin Bieksa's production took a hit last year when he lost 27 games due to injury, but the 29-year-old blueliner is capable of putting up big numbers, as evidenced by his 11-goal, 43-point 2008 season.
Bieksa is known to mix it up as well, making him a great team player that will be highly valued by many teams in the NHL.
21. Joni Pitkanen
5 of 25
2009 Stats:
6 goals, 46 pts (71 games played)
Analysis:
A solid offensive-defenseman who can provide a threat from the blueline, Joni Pitkanen is a major reason why the offensively-minded 'Canes are able to confuse defensemen and catch goalies out of position.
Pitkanen was a major part of the Carolina team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago. This year, Pitkanen will have to build off of last season in order to help turn the Hurricanes around.
20. Trevor Daley
6 of 25
2009 Stats:
6 goals, 22 pts (77 games played)
Analysis:
Dallas is going to want to keep Trevor Daley from entering free agency next season.
After the Tom Hicks financial fallout the Stars have begun to rely on cost-effective young players like Daley to carry team team.
If Daley continues to play at the level he has been over the last few seasons, his price tag will increase, but will be well worth the money.
19. Bryan McCabe
7 of 25
2009 Stats:
8 goals, 43 pts (82 games played)
Analysis:
Team captain and the elder statesman in South Florida, Bryan McCabe could be a nice pickup next summer if the Panthers choose to part ways with the veteran defenseman as they get younger.
McCabe is not far from his heyday, when he came close to notching 15 goals every season, and is a great locker room influence who would be great fit for many teams next summer.
18. Christian Erhoff
8 of 25
2009 Stats:
14 goals, 44 pts (80 games played)
Analysis:
After years of inconsistency in San Jose, Erhoff looked comfortable in his first season north of the border.
With a rocket of a slapper, Erhoff was able to find the back of the net 14 times and became a serious threat along the Canucks' blueline.
The Canucks are stacked on defense and Erhoff may become available at the end of the season depending on who the 'Nucks decide to keep around.
17. Ed Jovanovski
9 of 25
2009 Stats:
10 goals, 34 pts (66 games played)
Analysis:
The first overall selection in 1994, Ed Jovanovski was still able to hit the 10 goal mark last season despite missing 16 games due to injury.
At 34, Jovanovski will not demand big numbers and could be a smart pickup if he enters free agency at the end of the season.
16. David Backes
10 of 25
2009 Stats:
17 goals, 48 pts (79 games played)
Analysis:
Although David Backes' numbers last year were not as impressive as his 2008 numbers (31 goals, 54 pts), Backes showed that he could compete on the big stage in the 2008 Olympics.
Backes is a major part of the turnaround in St. Louis and probably will not hit the open market next summer.
15. Hal Gill
11 of 25
2009 Stats:
2 goals, 11 pts (68 games played)
Analysis:
At 35, Hal Gill is entering the latter stages of his career.
However, in last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs proved he was capable of slowing down Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Alexander Semin in Washington and Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal in Pittsburgh en route to the Eastern Conference Finals.
14. Sami Salo
12 of 25
2009 Stats:
9 goals, 28 pts (68 games played)
Analysis:
Fully capable of hitting the 10-goal mark in a complete season, Sami Salo's slapshot makes him a valuable asset on the blueline.
With a multitude of defensemen capable of finding the back of the net, Salo may hit free agency next summer if Vancouver sees a better option on their roster.
13. Matt Moulson
13 of 25
2009 Stats:
30 goals, 48 pts (82 games played)
Analysis:
In his first complete NHL season, Ivy League graduate Matt Moulson had a breakout year with the cellar-dwelling New York Islanders and established himself as a building block for the team going forward.
12. Jussi Jokinen
14 of 25
2009 Stats:
30 goals, 65 pts (81 games played)
Analysis:
Jussi Jokinen made a name for himself last year when he produced 30 goals in 81 games for the inconsistent Carolina Hurricanes.
If Jokinen can reproduce those numbers under the spotlight this summer, not only will the 'Canes have a chance to get back into the postseason, but Jokinen could be in for a big raise next summer.
11. Simon Gagne
15 of 25
2009 Stats:
17 goals, 40 pts (58 games played)
Analysis:
Longtime Flyer Simon Gagne joins the Lightning this seasons with high expectations.
Surrounded by big-name stars like Vincent Lecavalier, Steven Stamkos, and Martin St. Louis, Gagne has the potential to have a big year after his injury-shortened 2009 campaign.
If he has a big season Tampa must be quick to sign him long-term, or else he'll become one of the most sought after veterans on the market next summer.
10. Tomas Kaberle
16 of 25
2009 Stats:
7 goals, 49 pts (82 games played)
Analysis:
Reportedly on the trading block entering the season, Tomas Kaberle will most likely start the season in Toronto, but could be part of a big transaction at the trade deadline.
If he remains in Toronto for the duration of the season, Kaberle will become a hot commodity on the open market next summer.
9. Nicklas Lidstrom
17 of 25
2009 Stats:
9 goals, 49 pts (82 games played)
Analysis:
After contemplating retirement in the offseason, 40-year-old Nicklas Lidstrom is back for one more shot at the Stanley Cup.
Eventually time will catch up with the old Swede, but for now Lidstrom is playing as well or better than many players ten years younger than him.
8. Teemu Selanne
18 of 25
2009 Stats:
27 goals, 48 pts (54 games played)
Analysis:
A former Winnipeg Jet, 40-year-old Teemu Selanne can still produce at the NHL level.
His point total is far from where it was in his prime, but Selanne can still contribute on and off the ice for the Ducks. He may, however, contemplate retirement at the end of the season.
7. Jimmy Howard
19 of 25
2009 Stats:
37 wins, 2.26 gaa, .924 sv%
Analysis:
In his first full season in the NHL, Jimmy Howard unseated longtime Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood with his outstanding play in net.
Howard is set to become a free agent at the end of the season; although, in reality, the Red Wings will probably not let him hit the free market.
6. Ilya Bryzgalov
20 of 25
2009 Stats:
42 wins, 2.29 gaa, .92 sv% (69 games played)
Analysis:
A long-time backup in Anaheim, Bryzgalov's career took off after he was picked up on the wavier wire midway through the 2007 season by the Coyotes.
The Coyotes live and die by their goaltending and would be smart to keep him in Glendale after this season.
5. Alexander Semin
21 of 25
2009 Stats:
40 goals, 84 pts (73 games played)
Analysis:
While Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom got long-term extensions, Alexander Semin got a one-year, $6 million deal and is rumoured to be on his way out.
Semin routinely nears the 40-goal mark during the regular season and would be a great offenses boost to anyone's roster should he part ways with Washington.
4. Zdeno Chara
22 of 25
2009 Stats:
7 goals, 44 pts (80 games played)
Analysis:
Like most of his teammates, Bruins captain Zdeno Chara saw his production drop significantly -- from 19 goals in 2008 to seven last season -- but he continued to be an impressive presence on the ice.
The league's tallest player at 6',9'', Chara can unleash a bomb from the blueline and crack smaller players along the boards. The Bruins must ensure he stays in Massachusetts if they want to bring the city a Stanley Cup.
3. Brent Seabrook
23 of 25
2009 Stats:
4 goals, 30 pts (78 games played)
Analysis:
One of the best lock-down defensemen could potentially be on the market in 2011.
The Hawks have efficiently shed salary in the offseason and will plan to keep Seabrook.
Although he may be overlooked because of teammates Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and defensive partner Duncan Keith, Seabrook is a big reason why the Blackhawks won the Cup last year.
2. Joe Thornton
24 of 25
2009 Stats:
20 goals, 89 pts (79 games played)
Analysis:
The Sharks will have a major decision to make in the upcoming offseason.
Joe Thornton, 31, is going to want a long-term contract and the Sharks' payroll will increase over time as young stars like Jamie McGinn, Logan Couture, and Jason Demers continue to improve.
If the Sharks and Thornton, who will make $7.2 million this year, cannot come to terms he's a player that will make anyone's existing roster significantly better.
1. Zach Parise
25 of 25
2009 Stats:
38 goals, 82 pts (81 games played)
Analysis:
After making a name for himself in the 2010 Olympics, Zach Parise must now prove that he can lead his team through the playoffs.
Parise will most likely remain in New Jersey, but could be in for a big payday if he can improve upon last year's play.
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