It’s time to restock on players this Wednesday – when 2015 NHL free agency officially opens for business.
By Patrick Comia
But, the GM’s will price players at what they think their value be for their services and how they could contribute to their team.
During this time, trades are still in play, and you’ll see some creative hijinks when it comes to deals. Fans will moan and groan over a player being overpaid; and it’s even worse if it’s their own team doing the offering. But, then there are those players who fans get giddy for and start rubbing their hands together, feeling the excitement and anticipation of seeing them on the ice. Much like a child gets a new, shiny toy.
They have the feeling going into the season as this is the year because they have “so-and-so.” Just remember, buyer beware. If teams have done their homework on available players, then their team will be all that much better.
Here are the top five players at each position teams may be bidding on to add to their team and make them successful next season:
C, Gregory Campbell (31-years old, 6’0, 197 lbs)
He’s no scoring machine, nor is he a flashy dangler. He won’t keep fans on the edge of their seats, nor will he amaze you with highly-skilled offensive talent. But what he will give a team is his heart and soul on the ice. He will leave everything on the ice and won’t even think twice. Campbell provides a solid base on a team’s fourth-line playing center, and can help on the penalty kill. He won’t eat many even strength minutes, cause of his position in the lineup. But, his specialty is when his team short-handed. Campbell can eat up the minutes and his presence on the ice is second to none.
With the Bruins letting him go, he could come at a bargain.
Last season’s stats with BOS: 70 games, 12 points (six goals, six assists), +1, 45 PIM, TOI (even-strength)- 10:32, TOI (penalty kill)- 1:31, FO: better than 50% at home and away
2014/2015 Salary Cap Hit: 1.7 million
LW, Matt Beleseky (27- years old, 6’0, 204 lbs)
Perhaps one of the most sought after talent this coming Wednesday will be Matt Beleskey. Depending on his asking price (around 4-4.5 million), he could prove to be a valuable asset to a team. A couple of things that may concern teams is his amount games he has played and goal scoring abilities. He’s played no more than 70 games in seven seasons with the Ducks. Before last year, his highest number in goals was a 11 (2009-2010 season). So it begs the question, will teams pay his asking price or will they offer what they think he’s worth based on his career? He hasn’t really shown signs of greatness. However, if general managers are able to talk down Beleskwy to say three to four million, then it’s a win. However, there will be that one team that overpays based off last year.
Last season’s stats with ANH: 65 games, 32 points (22 goals, 10 assists), +13, 39 PIM, TOI (even-strength)- 12:40, TOI (power play)- 1:32
2014/2015 Salary Cap Hit: 1.4 million
RW, Justin Williams (33-years old, 6’1, 189 lbs)
“Mr. Game Seven” will be available this offseason. Justin Williams might be that final piece for teams on the verge of winning the Stanley Cup or sustaining a championship. At his age, he brings plenty of veteran and championship experience to a locker room in need of those. Williams has seen every game situation: must-wins, coming from behind. He makes the impossible, possible. You could compare him to Patrick Sharp on the right side. The only drawback would be his asking price. Williams has been “around the block” and can use that as leverage. However, a fair offer would be 3.0-4.0 million per year on a 2-3 year term. But, general managers need to keep in mind that they are playing for a playoff clutch performer and could be the key to further success in the playoffs.
Last season’s stats with LAK: 81 games, 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists), +8, 29 PIM, TOI (even-strength)- 14:03, TOI (power play)- 1:37, Stanley Cup Playoffs: 115 games, 78 points (30 goals, 48 assists), 7-0 all-time in game seven situations
2014/2015 Cap hit: 3.05 million
D, Andrej Sekera (29-years old, 6’0, 200 lbs)
Should teams take a flyer on Andrej Sekera? He’s a two-way defenseman that could play for a team’s power play or penalty kill units. He’s seen shared time at both last season with the Los Angeles Kings. However, he played for two teams, being traded from the Carolina Hurricanes. His numbers dropped off cause, well, he was playing on a dreadful Hurricanes team and a desperate Kings team that never “turned it on” to make the playoffs. A nine-year veteran, he could help a team in need of a seasoned player for their blue line. Sekera can eat up minutes and play in a second pair role on defense. And, he won’t break the bank. His cap hit last year was under two million. His skill sets would come at a bargain.
Last season’s stats with LAK/CAR: 73 games, 23 points (3 goals, 20 assists), -3, 14 PIM, TOI (even-strength)- 18:25, TOI (power play)- 1:50, TOI (penalty kill)- 1:42
2014/2015 Cap hit: 1.75 million
G, Karri Ramo (28-years old, turning 29 on July 1st, 6’2, 206 lbs)
Teams looking for a dependable goaltender may find it in Karri Ramo. His big frame can cover a team’s net and he’s agile. Ramo only was given one real season to be the starting goaltender. In the 2013/2014 season, he replaced long-time Calgary Flames goalie Mikka Kiprusoff. He went 17-15-4 with a 2.65 GAA and .911 save percentage in 40 games. Last season, he split time with former Anaheim Ducks netminder Jonas Hiller. If he’s available, a team looking for a temporary solution in net till their prospects is NHL-ready. However, Ramo could turn heads with his play and could be long-term fixture.
Last season’s stats with CGY: 34 games (32 started), 15-9-3 record, 2.60 GAA, .912 save percentage, two shutouts
2014/2015 Cap hit: 2.9 million