NHL Free Agency: Parise, Markov and Other Injuries Impacting Negotiations

The Devils may see other teams try and pry restricted free agent Zach Parise away from their arms.

The team is pressed against the cap ceiling and has never had great attendance.

Montreal always fills the Bell Centre and shouldn't worry about money, but Andrei Markov, who has been in the organization for nine years, may be allowed to walk if his knee doesn't show signs of improvement.

Around the league there are players in the final years of their contract hoping their injury doesn't mean they'll miss out on a big payday.

Teemu Selanne

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ANAHEIM, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Teemu Selanne #8 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Honda Center on November 19, 2010 in Anaheim, California. The Blue Jackets defeated the Ducks 4-3. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Physical status: day-to-day with groin injury

Contract status: final year of one-year, $3.25 million deal

Not a huge deal here, but Teemu Selanne is old, 40, and has been a staple in the Ducks organization for most of his career.

While his production has dropped with age, Selanne is a major reason that die-hard fans go to Ducks games. His absence may mean even more empty seats at the Pond.

Steve Bernier

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TORONTO - OCTOBER 26: Steve Bernier #26 of the Florida Panthers skates up the ice during game action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre October 26, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs won 3-1. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Image

Physical status: on IR due to face injury

Contract status: final year of a two-year, $4 million deal

Steve Bernier was supposed to be a strong veteran presence on a young team, but has only had seven points in 15 games.

Although his cap hit is only $2 million, Florida may opt to let him walk and save the money for younger players that show potential.

Devin Setoguchi

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SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 09: Devin Setoguchi #16 of the San Jose Sharks in action against the Anaheim Ducks at HP Pavilion on November 9, 2010 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Physical status: day-to-day with an undisclosed injury

Contract status: final year of a one-year, $1.8 million deal

The former first-rounder has shown promise with the Sharks, but has only seven points in 21 games with the Sharks.

San Jose has plenty of young talent with big paydays looming—Logan Couture, Jamie McGinn— and Devin Setoguchi may become the odd man out.

Craig Anderson

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - NOVEMBER 24: Goalie Craig Anderson #41 of the Colorado Avalanche takes part in the pre-game skate prior to NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks on November 24, 2010 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by

Physical status: IR with groin injuries

Contract status: final year of a two-year, $3.625 million deal

He bought himself a lot of insurance with his performance last year, but if Peter Budaj plays well in his absence, it may make Anderson expendable.

Sami Salo

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CHICAGO - MAY 09: Sami Salo #6 of the Vancouver Canucks skates off of the ice at the end of the first period after suffering an injury against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff

Physical status: expected to start skating in three or four weeks, but has yet to play due to Achilles injury

Contract status: final year of a four-year, $14 million deal

He's been productive, 28 points from the blueline last year, but Sami Salo, 36, is aging.

Vancouver may opt to go with a less expensive option if Salo cannot get back to 100 percent this season.

Alexander Semin

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NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 22: Alexander Semin #28 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on November 22, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Capitals 5-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Physical status: day-to-day with lingering injuries

Contract status: final year of a one-year, $6 million deal

While teammates Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom are locked up long-term, Alexander Semin was offered a one-year deal in the offseason.

He's leading his team with 18 goals and making a case for a big payday, but if these lingering injuries catch up with him, he could find himself in a different sweater next year.

Andrei Markov

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PITTSBURGH - APRIL 30: Andrei Markov #79 of the Montreal Canadiens is assisted off the ice to the dressing room after being injured in the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NHL S

Physical status: out for six months with knee injury

Contract status: final year of a four-year, $23 million deal

As always, knee injuries are a serious matter, and Montreal, who is always pressed against the cap ceiling, needs to keep highly-paid players on the ice.

Andrei Markov has been in Montreal for the entirety of his nine-year career and will probably stay there, but he could see a pay reduction or be allowed to walk if he doesn't heal up quickly.

Zach Parise

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MONTREAL, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise arrives at the memorial service for former NHL coach Pat Burns at the Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral on November 29, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/G

Physical status: out for season with knee injury

Contract status: final year of a four-year, $12.5 million deal

He's a restricted free agent, but poor management by GM Lou Lamoriello has the Devils in a bind.

Attendance in New Jersey is never great, especially for a traditional hockey market, and the team has invested heavily in Ilya Kovalchuk (15 year, $100 million deal over the summer, in case you missed it).

In short: they've got to shed salary.

Teams with the right economic structure and better hockey culture may be able to pry Zach Parise away from New Jersey.