The 2017 UFA THREAD

[VanIslander]

The TOP-25+ - in terms of past salary - UFA's this coming summer:

Thornton, Joe Canada 37 SJS C UFA 6.750 6.750
Marleau, Patrick Canada 37 SJS C UFA 6.667 6.500
Miller, Ryan United States 36 VAN G UFA 6.000 6.000
Bishop, Ben United States 30 TBL G UFA 5.950 5.950
Sharp, Patrick Canada 35 DAL L UFA 5.900 5.000
Markov, Andrei Russia 38 MTL D UFA 5.750 4.250
Radulov, Alexander Russia 30 MTL R UFA 5.750 5.750
Jagr, Jaromir Czech Republic 45 FLA R UFA 5.500 4.000
Iginla, Jarome Canada 39 COL R UFA 5.333 5.000
Streit, Mark Switzerland 39 PHI D UFA 5.250 4.000
Wideman, Dennis Canada 34 CGY D UFA 5.250 6.000
Doan, Shane Canada 40 ARI R UFA 4.840 3.876
Burrows, Alexandre Canada 36 VAN L UFA 4.500 3.000
Laich, Brooks Canada 34 TOR C UFA 4.500 4.000
Fisher, Mike Canada 37 NAS C UFA 4.400 4.000
Stafford, Drew United States 31 WPG R UFA 4.350 4.350
Kulikov, Dmitry Russia 26 BUF D UFA 4.333 4.500
Gionta, Brian United States 38 BUF R UFA 4.250 3.250
Shattenkirk, Kevin United States 28 STL D UFA 4.250 5.200
Oshie, T.J. United States 30 WAS C UFA 4.175 4.500
Bernier, Jonathan Canada 28 ANA G UFA 4.150 4.150
Mason, Steve Canada 29 PHI G UFA 4.100 4.100
Savard, Marc Canada 39 NJD C UFA 4.021 0.575
Stone, Michael Canada 27 ARI D UFA 4.000 4.000
Hemsky, Ales Czech Republic 33 DAL R UFA 4.000 4.000
Bickell, Bryan Canada 31 CAR L UFA 4.000 4.500

Which of the above do you see Vegas signing?

I've highlighted some intriguing possibilities,...

Click to read more...

 

[Headshot77]

Shattenkirk is probably going to the Rangers

 

[Soundgarden]

Pretty slim pickings, maybe Bishop, Stone or Kulikov could be good options. A couple solid goaltending choices there, but not a lot of quality skaters there, and that's not even considering all of the players that will re-sign with their clubs.

Not a good UFA year.

 

[LadyStanley]

The TOP-25+ - in terms of past salary - UFA's this coming summer:



Which of the above do you see Vegas signing?

I've highlighted some intriguing possibilities,...

Perhaps none. I think it more likely they'll be signing guys well down the $$ chart.

 

[HanSolo]

Pretty slim pickings, maybe Bishop, Stone or Kulikov could be good options. A couple solid goaltending choices there, but not a lot of quality skaters there, and that's not even considering all of the players that will re-sign with their clubs.

Not a good UFA year.

"good" Ufa years won't be as common anymore with all the long term deals that get dished out.

 

[LadyStanley]

"good" Ufa years won't be as common anymore with all the long term deals that get dished out.

All depends on the team. With two exceptions, the Sharks have NEVER given a player longer than a 5 year deal. (Burns - 8 years; Michalek - 6) Most of their deals are 3 years or less.

The Sharks under GM Wilson have about 1/3rd of all NHL contracts expiring each summer. It gives the team a lot of flexibility and little long term headaches if a contract doesn't work well. (FTR, Wilson has bought out ONE contract in his tenure - and that was acquired by trade.)

BUT they are very good at re-signing players they want to keep around, especially pending UFAs. The guys that aren't retained by the organization are often older, declining guys, or young-ish journeyman who have been superseded in depth chart by "kids".


So, it's not just long-term deals that are reducing the pending UFAs, but also siphoning off the better guys via re-signing (before they hit the market).

 

[HanSolo]

Still. A vast majority of high quality names get signed to 5+ year deals

 

[VanIslander]

So,..no one sees anyone they'd be interested in or could see signing here?

 

[LadyStanley]

So,..no one sees anyone they'd be interested in or could see signing here?

First, I'd probably eliminate players whose production has pushed them to 4th line or AHL duty. Those players' $$s on the list are no longer commiserate with their production. If Vegas chooses to sign them, it can be for a lot less $$s. (Maybe 1/3rd to 1/2 the list could fit this description) Think Iginla.

Second, look long and hard at players who have been with their "current" teams for more than 5 years. Does their current team want/plan to retain them (but not re-sign them until after the expansion draft to allow them to protect more players)? If so, you'd probably have to offer more (term and/or $$) to entice them away. And some have no desire to play anywhere else. You may not even get more than a "no thanks" from the agent.

Third, why sign during 48 hour window of expansion draft unless you know it'll be a done deal to get them to come to Vegas? Otherwise, Vegas and 29 other teams will have equal opportunity to talk and sign (without losing out on other assets) in the free agency in July.


A lot will depend on who else is exposed.

 

[airbus220]

maybe Bishop

I don't want Bishop.

 

[HanSolo]

I guess Stafford, Shattenkirk, Oshie, and Stone are young and useful enough.

 

[Soundgarden]

I don't want Bishop.

He's really one of a few realistic options for us. We'll have to see who we snag in the draft.

 

[LadyStanley]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ents-2017-unrestricted-ufas-ranking/98188682/

Top 25 potential UFAs - might be a better list to consider.

A couple of younger guys might be worth the effort to sign.

 

[Soundgarden]

Some decent looking defenseman on that list, if we can sign one or two we could use some of the ones we draft to upgrade on forward.

 

[MrLouniverse]

He wouldn't be an important strategic pickup but Jagr would be a bunch of fun.

 

[VanIslander]

He wouldn't be an important strategic pickup but Jagr would be a bunch of fun.

JJ knows Vegas.

Sign him to a three-year deal, and retire Knight jersey #68 afterwards. ( if the Avs can do it for Bourque.. )

 

[Jonas1235]

Thornton, Marleau, Del Zotto, Oshie and Alzner.

Could you imagine.

 

[VanIslander]

Thornton, Marleau, Del Zotto, Oshie and Alzner.

Could you imagine.

Playoffs in year 1.

 

[Beautvillier]

don't think they'll sign any significant players, they're probably gonna build off the draft.

 

[VanIslander]

don't think they'll sign any significant players, they're probably gonna build off the draft.

Keep the tank faith.

 

[jwhouk]

Oshie would be a name star that would draw in the casual fan, from his performance at Sochi.

 

[traffic cone]

Please, don't after guys who are over 30 years of age. You're not contending in 5 years. Why waste your money and draft choices on guys that DEFINITELY are not with you, once you possibly have a chance to contend?

Goalies are an exception though because having a bad goalie is never a good idea even if you're rebuilding.

Mason, Bishop, Shattenkirk and Kulikov are the only potential guys from that list in my opinion.

 

[HanSolo]

Idk...IIRC the Ducks took on a significant amount of guys 30 and up in their first year.

 

[Soundgarden]

Depends on the length of the deal, if we only draft players 27 and under it may be a good thing to sign a few 30 year olds to a two or three year deal for some added veteran leadership. I'd be comfortable going after a solid guy like Stafford, and he's not too unrealistic, unlike an Oshie who'll make bank or re-sign in Washington.

 

[traffic cone]

Idk...IIRC the Ducks took on a significant amount of guys 30 and up in their first year.

How many of those guys were with them when they won the Stanley Cup? (or contributed to that in terms of being traded for future picks etc.)