Alex Semin, Brent Seabrook and the 20 Most Valuable Free Agents of 2011
As the season wears on, we are forced to look forward to the offseason and the plethora of talent that could be available.
This offseason could see more players changing places than any other in recent history, and a lot of the players available are damn good.
Many teams that are trying to rebuild will look to these players, either for long term help or a temporary fix.
Each player brings his own talents to the table and there will be a market for each player as the offseason draws near.
Happy New Year and Enjoy!
Tim Connolly, F, Buffalo Sabres
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When healthy, Tim Connolly is a solid two way forward that can add to the offense when surrounded by the right talent.
Connolly has been an afterthought with all the injuries he has suffered and all the games he has missed.
He is still very effective offensively when playing with players like Thomas Vanek on the Sabres.
If Connolly decides to leave Buffalo, there will be a line of teams vying for the chance to obtain a solid second line forward.
Kevin Bieksa, D, Vancouver Canucks
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As this season has progressed, Kevin Bieksa has become the most consistent defender on the team.
As the offseason approaches, the Vancouver Canucks will have to face serious questions about their defensive group and who they are going to retain.
Currently, the Canucks have six defenders making over $3 million annually and will have to choose who to let go.
If Bieksa gets to the free agent market, he will be a solid top two defender for a team looking towards the future.
Jussi Jokinen, F, Carolina Hurricanes
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Jussi Jokinen is a solid offensive forward who would be a good addition to a team that has a strong defensive group and is looking at add depth at forward.
Jokinen would help alleviate minutes from the top line forwards and produce between 50 and 70 points on the second line.
Second line production like that could help put a team over the edge towards a championship.
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Craig Anderson, G, Colorado Avalanche
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Craig Anderson got his opportunity in Colorado and has struggled a bit this year with his goals against average.
Anderson signed a two year deal with the Avalanche last year and at the conclusion of this season, he will be a free agent.
I don’t know what the market holds for Anderson, or whether or not Colorado will make a push to keep him, but I do know that if he wants a good deal, he will have to play better hockey through the rest of the season.
Ryan Callahan, F, New York Rangers
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Ryan Callahan is a pinball on the ice.
He can be an offensive threat and he is a good forechecker. Callahan is also one of the better hitters in the game and doesn’t mind taking the body.
Callahan’s willingness to do whatever the team needs of him to win will make him a hot commodity on the free agency market.
As a restricted free agent, he most likely won't be moved, but he is good enough for a team to risk it all.
Luke Schenn, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Luke Schenn could be Toronto’s future on defense, but there is a chance that another team in the league feels the same way.
Schenn is a restricted free agent and to be honest, gaining all the draft picks that would come with letting Schenn go would help make up for the picks lost in the Kessel trade.
I think it would be silly for Toronto to let Schenn go, but I can see both sides of the story in this case.
Simon Gagne, F, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Simon Gagne will be a nice pickup for a team that is looking for scoring depth, preferably second line left wing. He is starting to get older and his injuries are starting to pile up.
If a team needs added scoring depth, but they aren’t dependent on Gagne’s consistency of play, Simon would be the fit.
Gagne has plenty of playoff experience and would be a welcomed addition to any team on the cusp of a championship.
Dustin Byfuglien, D, Atlanta Thrashers
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Dustin Byfuglien will definitely be a target for a few teams this offseason. Since he is a restricted free agent, it is unlikely he will sign elsewhere.
Byfuglien’s talent is rare enough that a team may take a big chance and try to sign him.
Byfuglien could be a real powerhouse when he is with the right surroundings—just look at how he did with Chicago, when the people around him were talented.
Atlanta should resign him long term and center the franchise around him. He could help lead an Atlanta team out of the NHL basement, fan wise.
James Wisniewski, D, Montreal Canadiens
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James Wisniewski is not the best defensive defender in the NHL.
On the other hand, “Wiz” can be a force on the power play and has a shot from the point that could stop a truck.
It will be fun to see what Montreal does with their defense this year, and whether or not they resign all their current defenders that are about to become free agents.
Ed Jovanovski, D, Phoenix Coyotes
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Ed Jovanovski is a tough, stay-at-home defender that doesn’t mind being physical in any zone.
Jovanovski has helped put Phoenix on the map recently and is continuing to be a wall for the Coyotes this season.
If the Coyotes pass up on resigning Jovanovski, the rest of the NHL will be ready.
At least one team will make him a big offer and let him help their defense with depth.
Brandon Dubinsky, F, New York Rangers
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This young star-in-the-making is going to be a huge part of the Rangers' success in the future if they sign him to a long term deal.
It’s not likely that any team will fork out the picks for the young player, but he has so much potential that there might be a slim chance.
Dubinsky has the potential to be a top 25 forward in the NHL and if he continues to develop they way he has, there is a good chance that he could become a prominent scorer in the NHL.
Andrei Markov, D, Montreal Canadians
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From all accounts, Andrei Markov wants to stay in Montreal. The question is, does Montreal have enough faith in him to sign him long term?
Markov has been hampered by injuries in the past, and this season was no different.
He is amazing on the powerplay and is a solid leader on and off the ice.
If Montreal doesn’t resign him, Markov will be one of the top defensive free agents and draw interest from plenty of teams willing to take a chance on him.
Joni Pitkanen, D, Carolina Hurricanes
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Joni Pitkanen is a solid defender who would be great for adding depth to an already good defensive group. He would be a solid fourth or fifth defender and may be the difference on a championship team.
As the offseason approaches, Pitkanen will contemplate leaving Carolina for a better situation elsewhere in the league. He most certainly could find said situation if he tested the free agency market at the conclusion of the season.
Wherever he goes, he will want a long term deal because he's not getting any younger.
Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings
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Doughty played second fiddle to Steven Stamkos coming into the NHL but has made his mark on the west coast.
Doughty will be a top five defender as long as he stays healthy in the NHL. He has the ability to take the game over single-handedly, at either end of the ice, and turn the momentum in Los Angeles’s direction.
In times of chaos, Doughty can be a vocal leader on the ice and in the locker room. He leads more with his play and his hard work ethic than anything else though.
Drew Doughty will be a restricted free agent, so don't expect Los Angeles to let him go without a fight.
Steven Stamkos, F, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Stamkos is a restricted free agent and it is 99 percent likely he stays in Tampa Bay.
Leaving me with a 1 percent chance is enough to make me talk about him leaving. Honestly, it’s not that far of a stretch.
A team could sell the farm for a player like Stamkos and force the Lightning to let him go.
Steve Yzerman will match any team's offer to Stamkos (as the restricted free agent title allows) and would be cast out as a GM if he let him go.
Shea Weber, D, Nashville Predators
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As a restricted free agent, the team that tries to sign him will have to compensate the Predators handsomely.
The team that gets Weber, if he is signed by a team other than Nashville, has to give up first round picks and other picks to complete the transaction.
It will be a steep price for a team, but Shea Weber could be one of the most complete defenders to ever step on the ice if he continues to progress the way he has.
Tomas Vokoun, G, Florida Panthers
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Vokoun is one of the best goaltenders in the league every year, and every year the team he plays for hardly scores. Vokoun has one of the best save percentages over his career and is one of the most consistent goalies of the past ten years.
Vokoun’s contract is up at the end of the year and it would be a good decision for him to explore his other options.
The Panthers' goalie will be a hot commodity and a team that is close to a championship might take a shot with Vokoun.
And it may pay off.
Brent Seabrook, D, Chicago Blackhawks
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Brent Seabrook is a rock solid two way defender who doesn’t mind getting physical in his own zone and then jumping into the offensive zone to help out. He is definitely a better defenseman, but he has a nice shot and a willingness to pass.
Defensively, he has been great since coming to the Blackhawks four years ago.
His plus/minus has gotten progressively better as years pass and he would be a welcomed addition to any defensive group in the NHL.
Brad Richards, F, Dallas Stars
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Brad Richards is a top line center with an innate sense of knowing where the other players on his team are.
His ability to thread a pass through traffic and his willingness to do so make him the best assist man on the market.
Richards’ talents as a passer would be exponentially better if he was with a top tier scorer. Imagine Ovechkin or Kovalchuk receiving passes from an amazing center like Brad Richards.
Alex Semin, F, Washington Capitals
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The most valuable free agent this offseason, Alexander Semin has been a powerhouse with the Capitals and is ready for his pay day.
Semin will most certainly fetch huge money and may very well become the face of a down and out franchise, or Toronto.
The Capitals won’t have the money to keep him in town, but you better believe he will get paid.
My biggest concern is that Semin will get his big deal, turn into a Kovalchuk type player and disappear.
He is not as good as Kovalchuk and the NHL may see a drastic fall off for Semin without Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom to help him out.
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