2010 NHL Free Agency – Forwards
6/24/2010 | Posted by
Devin
NHL Free Agency kicks off July 1st, so I figure that now is a good time to review the upcoming UFA and RFA class. Unlike last season, I won't be ranking them in terms of overall worth, but instead the rankings will reflect their worth to the Sabres and how bad I'd like to see the particular player in blue and gold next season. Please remember, these rankings are completely biased.
Finally, we've made it to the forwards. This might be the biggest problem area for the Sabres this summer. Buffalo has put a ton of faith in their system and their guys, and so far it hasn't exactly worked out. Thomas Vanek has had his moments where he's been that guy, but other times where we all bash our head against the wall when we realize he is the highest paid player on the team. Jason Pominville is still living off his 15 minutes of fame for a big playoff goal he scored over four years ago. Derek Roy has been the leading scorer for the Sabres in the regular season but failed to show up in the playoffs. Tim Connolly opted not to play at all in the playoffs. I could go on and on, but you get the point. The Sabres need some more muscle up front and a true number one center.
If I had my choice, the Sabres trade Connolly and get a decent return. He has a $4.5 million dollar cap hit this season and then his contract expires. I'd like to see the Sabres get something from him because I think there is a 0.03% chance the Sabres bring him back after this season. I know other fans are quick to jump on the trade Derek Roy bandwagon, but I'm a little more hesitant on that one. Facts are facts. He has been the team's leading scorer for the past three seasons and he only makes $4 million per season. He is also locked up for the next three seasons. Not a bad deal if you ask me.
As if everyone needs this reminder again, but these rankings reflect my personal opinion on players the Sabres need and should go after, not overall UFA rankings like done in the past. That means no Ilya Kovalchuk in these rankings. Not happening, nor should it.
1. Patrick Marleau (SJ) – I would crack a bottle of champagne and celebrate the day if the Sabres signed Marleau. His point totals since the lockout have been 86, 78, 48, 71 and 83. He would instantly improve the Sabres goal scoring and be their best forward. Maybe he'd even show Pominville a thing or two about earning his contract.
(Ed. Note: After the writing this article, Marleau re-signed with San Jose for a massive $6.9 million per year.)
2. Tomas Plekanec (MTL) – There is a part of me that wonders if Plekanec is one of those guys who over-achieved during his contract year and will ultimately cash in and let down his next team but I'm willing to ignore those thoughts for the time being. This past season was definitely a bounce back season but he also chipped in 69 points in the 2007-08 season so maybe it's unfair to label him as a one hit wonder. Like I said in the defenseman rankings, another positive to signing Plekanec would be stealing him away from a division rival.
(Ed. Note: After writing this article, Montreal did in fact resign Plekanec to a 6 year deal.)
3. Alexander Frolov (LA) – Since the lockout, Frolov hasn't scored less than 50 points in any season. That would instantly put him in the top five for scoring on the team. Frolov's cap hit was $2.9 million but I'm guessing he'll be looking at about $4 million per season coming up. Judging on his numbers, he looks like a near identical image of Derek Roy, which probably isn't a heartwarming thought for most Sabres fans but I can live with it.
5. Lee Stempniak (PHX) - Stempniak flamed out in Toronto big time, but blew up after the trade deadline while in Phoenix. Stempniak grew up in the Buffalo area which automatically means he'd be a great Sabre. /sarcasm. But seriously, I think he showed his true potential in Phoenix. There are plenty of reasons why he struggled in Toronto. For one, putting it nicely, the Leafs weren't a very good team. Two, his game was examined under the strongest microscope with some of the toughest fans to please. When the pressure was off while playing in a non-hockey town, he lit it up. Granted he'd be going back into a big hockey city with large expectations, but I'd like to think he has his confidence back.
6. Manny Malhotra (SJ) –Malholtra falls into the bargain category. His cap hit was a miniscule $700,000 last season in San Jose. In return he scored 14 goals and 19 assists. That is essentially the same amount of money Adam Mair made while providing double the scoring. I will absolutely sign up for that. In fact, Mair has never even scored double digit goals during his seven seasons in Buffalo. His highest total is eight goals in the 2008-09 season. In a similar six year span, Malhotra scored nine goals one season and eclipsed double digit goals in the other five. This would be a very good under the radar signing for Buffalo if they went in that direction.
8. Bill Guerin (PIT) – Like Ray Whitney, Bill Guerin is a little too old for my taste, but I'd sign up for a one or two year deal. Guerin has the ability to chip in 20 goals but would also provide a great deal of toughness and leadership. Having someone like Guerin on the roster would help a great deal during the playoffs when the young guys are busy being invisible. All of that being said, Pittsburgh would be crazy to let him go. He's a perfect fit for them.
9. Matt Cullen (OTT) –Cullen would be a decent signing for the right price, mostly for the veteran presence and leadership. I can't stress this enough, the Sabres need more players that will take control of the locker room. There is a reason the Sabres wasted no time signing Mike Grier before letting him hit the open market. It was refreshing to see them recognize his importance and place a value on it.
10. Saku Koivu (ANA) –I'm lukewarm on the thought of Koivu in a Sabres uniform, but I needed a nice even list of 10 for this article so here he is. I'm all for adding another 50+ points to the Sabres group of forwards, but I wouldn't be crazy about him taking up three million or more against the cap. Now if you were to tell me that the Sabres were able to unload Drew Stafford and his $1.9 million cap hit and replace it with Koivu and a $3 million cap hit, I can easily live with that. Again, the Sabres need some more consistent scoring.
If I have one internet pet peeve, it's people playing GM on the internet with unrealistic scenarios that would only happen on Xbox. However, now that we've seen my rankings for goalies, d-men and forwards, allow me to play the role for a few minutes.
The Sabres currently have around $10 or $11 million in cap space for the upcoming season. They have 10 forwards, 5 defensemen and one goalie under contract.
Sign Martin Biron for $1.2 million. Sign Carlo Colaiacovo for $2 million. Trade for Tomas Kaberle, in the process trading Drew Stafford and whatever draft picks Brian Burke wants. Re-sign Patrick Kaleta and Tim Kennedy, each getting a minor raise. Sign Ray Whitney and Matthew Lombardi. Raise another division champion banner in HSBC.
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