List of Upcoming UFA Defensemen

[Balthazar]

Ideally we'd need someone who can shoot from the point on the PP (to replace PAP who's awful there). Markov can do that, but he's soft as butter and a bit old.

Do we keep Sarich and Benoit?

Name (age):

Niskanen, Matt 27
Markov, Andrei 35
Zidlicky, Marek 37
Boyle, Dan 37
Timonen, Kimmo 39
Benoit, Andre 30
Gilbert, Tom 31
Meszaros, Andrej 28
Morris, Derek 35
Salo, Sami 39
Butler, Chris 27
Hainsey, Ron 33
Diaz, Raphael 28
Nikitin, Nikita 27
Ranger, Paul 29
Quincey, Kyle 28
Orpik, Brooks 33
Weaver, Mike 36
Stralman, Anton 27
Engelland, Deryk 32
Hannan, Scott 35
Mitchell, Willie 37
Kostka, Mike 28
Fayne, Mark 26
Robidas, Stephane 37
Corvo, Joe 36
Sarich, Cory 35
Prosser, Nate 27
Bellemore, Brett 25
Tallinder, Henrik 35
Brookbank, S. 33

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[R S]

Only guys that fit what we might want/need would be:

Markov - He's pretty old, doubt we see this team give him a big chunk of cash.
Niskanen - Highest valued guy on the list, LOTS of bidders aka a high price. Not sure the Avs would win the bidding.
Meszaros - Do the Avs scouts like him at all? If so, he could be a target.
Quincey - Fits what this team needs, a lefthanded veteran who can move the puck at least somewhat. Old history with the team, does that help or hurt?

None of the other guys are great fits because they are either too old or are redundant depth-wise.

 

[Hesher]

The problem with Meszaros is that he is always injured.

 

[Balthazar]

Niskanen - Highest valued guy on the list, LOTS of bidders aka a high price. Not sure the Avs would win the bidding.

If Stastny doesn't stay they should go for it.

 

[Avs44]

If Stastny doesn't stay they should go for it.

Worst choice possible. Stay far far away from a 27 year old who put up career numbers in a contract year. He'll be looking at 5+ years and 5+ million.

 

[BoxOfChocolates]

Give me Niskanen

 

[Gigantor The Goalie]

I would think Andrei Markov or Dan Boyle would be the targets. Sure they're older then most of the core but they are the perfect stop gaps for Bigras and Siemens. I agree with most and think that Niskanen isn't what Roy would want in the long term and Niskanen would be here in the long term since he won't take any short term contracts.

 

[tigervixxxen]

No on Meszaros. If Roy wanted him he could have taken him when Philly was trying to dump him. No on Quincey, been there done that.

 

[Balthazar]

Worst choice possible. Stay far far away from a 27 year old who put up career numbers in a contract year. He'll be looking at 5+ years and 5+ million.

It's not rare for a D to peak at 26-27.

 

[InjuredChoker]

Only guys that fit what we might want/need would be:

Markov - He's pretty old, doubt we see this team give him a big chunk of cash.
Niskanen - Highest valued guy on the list, LOTS of bidders aka a high price. Not sure the Avs would win the bidding.
Meszaros - Do the Avs scouts like him at all? If so, he could be a target.
Quincey - Fits what this team needs, a lefthanded veteran who can move the puck at least somewhat. Old history with the team, does that help or hurt?

None of the other guys are great fits because they are either too old or are redundant depth-wise.

to other teams sticks yes... but not anywhere else.

i think he's better than mez but would rather look at other options. he was best partner for EJ before hejda so if all fails out.. but man, he's such a frustrating player.

 

[Avs_19]

You know we're desperate for defense when people are bringing up Quincey as an option.

 

[ColoradoSportsFan]

I would think Andrei Markov or Dan Boyle would be the targets. Sure they're older then most of the core but they are the perfect stop gaps for Bigras and Siemens. I agree with most and think that Niskanen isn't what Roy would want in the long term and Niskanen would be here in the long term since he won't take any short term contracts.

Agreed on Boyle, if he doesn't re-sign in SJ I'd take him on a 1-2 year deal.

 

[Avs For Life]

I dont know much about him but what about Nikitin? 27 year old 6'4" Lefty who ended the year +9

What kind of player is he? Defensive Dman?

 

[Burnaby_Joe*]

I think we're going trade for a dman, but maybe sign a decent one.

 

[Alex Jones]

I dont know much about him but what about Nikitin? 27 year old 6'4" Lefty who ended the year +9

What kind of player is he? Defensive Dman?

At best a number four. Not what we need.

 

[Alex Jones]

If Niskanen can be had for a decent price I would be in. He played pretty well this year and should have several years left. That said, he won't be avaliable for a decent price.

 

[AslanRH]

Ideally we'd need someone who can shoot from the point on the PP (to replace PAP who's awful there). Markov can do that, but he's soft as butter and a bit old.

Do we keep Sarich and Benoit?

Name (age):

Niskanen, Matt 27 like this but think he gets well overpaid
Markov, Andrei 35 2 years max, but don't see it happening
Zidlicky, Marek 37
Boyle, Dan 37
Timonen, Kimmo 39 NO
Benoit, Andre 30 honestly would not be upset if he re-upped on a short 2 yr deal
Gilbert, Tom 31
Meszaros, Andrej 28 NO
Morris, Derek 35
Salo, Sami 39 NO
Butler, Chris 27 intrigued by him but have not seen enough to know better
Hainsey, Ron 33
Diaz, Raphael 28
Nikitin, Nikita 27 I actually think he would be a good fit next to EJ or Barrie
Ranger, Paul 29 don't think he'd leave and not sure he'd help
Quincey, Kyle 28 NO, NO, NO
Orpik, Brooks 33
Weaver, Mike 36
Stralman, Anton 27 would ba a nice signing, but can he play on the left? otherwise a luxury upgrade for the 3rd pairing
Engelland, Deryk 32
Hannan, Scott 35-NO
Mitchell, Willie 37- NO
Kostka, Mike 28
Fayne, Mark 26 see Stralman
Robidas, Stephane 37
Corvo, Joe 36
Sarich, Cory 35 NO
Prosser, Nate 27
Bellemore, Brett 25
Tallinder, Henrik 35
Brookbank, S. 33

Just my little thoughts

 

[Drury_Sakic]

Boyle would be an ideal fit to replace Benoit in the lineup, but I think he is going to take a 3 year deal in the 4-5 range to get....which I would totally do if I was Sakic and Roy, but it would have to come with Boyle knowing there is a decent chance that he could end up playing a 3rd unit and PP specialist role at some point during the contract.

Derek Morris is also someone I would potentially look at if he was willing to do a 1-2 year deal and potentially fill the 6/7 role. He would be an upgrade over Guenin.

Hejda-Johnson
Holden-Barrie
Boyle-Morris

Guenin on the bench. Holden, Hejda, and Boyle would take camp and the early part of the season to see who they fit with best of course, Boyle or Hejda could play with EJ, Holden or Hejda with Barrie, and any with Morris on the 3rd pair potentially.

I would also look for another Holden/Guenin/Sarich type on a one or two year deal around 800-900k. There is an need for a proven NHL ready D man or two in the system. I guess that guy COULD be Wilson for another year, but I think it is time to cut bait on him. Would not be the worst thing to find a guy that has experience playing both forward and defense, as Roy has shown he does not have a problem with using a guy in that type of role.

Hell, I would also not be opposed to signing Orpik and trading Hejda at this point either, but I find it hard to think the Avs change over 3 D men this summer.

 

[Gabe the Babe]

Markov or nobody for me. I don't see Chris Summers or Zach Redmond on that list. I'd like both of those guys as they could both be had for under 2mil.

 

[tigervixxxen]

Let's discuss Niskanen. How much are we talking for him? If he's someone who is worth it we can afford it. Also, what is he a 3/4? Why wouldn't he stay with the Pens? Looks like he's never had a contract longer than 2 years and ELC, so some term probably sounds good.

 

[Drij]

Dan Boyle would be perfect. Derek Morris would be god also. Stop gap vets.
Younger guys long-term I'm not sure about.

 

[Balthazar]

Hejda-Johnson
Holden-Barrie
Boyle-Morris

IMO that's horrible. Hejda is NOT a top pair D and should NOT start there next year. We need someone on the top pair to play with EJ and this guy isn't in the organization.

???-EJ
Hejda-Barrie
Holden-???
Elliott

Those are the 2 spots to fill.

 

[RockLobster]

IMO that's horrible. Hejda is NOT a top pair D and should NOT start there next year. We need someone on the top pair to play with EJ and this guy isn't in the organization.

???-EJ
Hejda-Barrie
Holden-???
Elliott

Those are the 2 spots to fill.

Guenin signed a 2 year extension, even though his play was absolutely brutal post-Olypmics, he's going to play, likely on that 3rd pairing with Holden.

Now, should he? No, I don't think so, I believe they can find someone better for that role...now will that person cost more than Guenin? Yeah, but if it means not having him and his numerous failed clearing attempts in the line up (pretty much the entire playoffs) then I'd say it's worth it.

And sorry, Hejda and EJ was a good pairing for most of the year, we'll never know how it would have been in the PO's if Hejda wasn't injured, but he was and I suspect that Roy will go into next season with them as the Top-Pair...now whether Hejda stays there is a different question.

 

[Foppa2118]

Only UFA that interests me as a top 4 D man is Markov, and I think the Habs outbid us easily. Maybe Orpik as a partner for Barrie, depending on his asking price.

Trade route is the most likely IMO. I would not be surprised at all to see them target Cowen in hopes Tourigny and Foote can help him reach his potential. They definitely could use a big, mean, punishing defenseman.

 

[tigervixxxen]

You can't go to Walmart and pick up a top pairing defenseman, so I'd get comfortable with the thought of Hejda playing there one more year. Yeah I know trade PA/Pickard/Elliott/first/kitchen sink and get one. But in the event that does not happen, which is consider the most likely scenario, then I'd be happy with a solid addition as a 3/4 that has upside for more.