2009 NHL Free Agents Big Board: Forwards

by James Mirtle on Jun 29, 2009 2:37 PM CDT in Free Agency Comment 36 comments

You've heard all about the big names — the Sedins, the Marians, Marty Havlat and Mike Cammalleri — but how does the depth of the UFA forward corps this year measure up?

By my count, there are about 80 unrestricted free agent forwards worth looking at this year, but only 30 of those averaged at least 16 minutes of ice time a game last season and can be considered big contributors. Twenty more players are little more than fourth liners who may struggled to find an NHL contract.

There are gems in here, but few young studs who are going to command huge contracts beyond the aforementioned four (again sorted by minutes played last season):

					2008-09
	PLAYER	Pos	TM	Age	Cap hit	GP	Pts	Min
1	GABORIK, MARIAN	R	MIN	27.4	6.333	17	23	20:00
2	SEDIN, HENRIK	C	VAN	28.8	3.575	82	82	19:31
3	KOVALEV, ALEX	R	MTL	36.3	4.500	78	65	19:26
4	LEHTINEN, JERE	R	DAL	36.0	4.000	48	24	19:00
5	SEDIN, DANIEL	L	VAN	28.8	3.575	82	82	18:48
6	BERTUZZI, TODD	R	CGY	34.4	1.950	66	44	18:36
7	SULLIVAN, STEVE	L	NSH	35.0	3.200	41	32	18:29
8	PAHLSSON, SAMi	C	CHI	31.5	1.400	65	18	18:17
9	KNUBLE, MICHAEL	R	PHI	37.0	2.800	82	47	18:10
10	SAKIC, JOE	C	COL	40.0	6.000	15	12	18:07
11	MALHOTRA, MANNY	C	CBJ	29.1	1.200	77	35	18:01
12	HOSSA, MARIAN	R	DET	30.5	7.450	74	71	17:48
13	COLE, ERIK	L	CAR	30.6	4.000	80	42	17:37
14	CAMMALLERI, MIKE	C	CGY	27.1	3.350	81	82	17:34
15	HAVLAT, MARTIN	R	CHI	28.2	6.000	81	77	17:24
16	ANTROPOV, NIK	C	NYR	29.4	2.050	81	59	17:11
17	KOIVU, SAKU	C	MTL	34.6	4.750	65	50	17:03
18	GIONTA, BRIAN	R	N.J	30.4	4.000	81	60	16:58
19	LANG, ROBERT	C	MTL	38.5	4.000	50	39	16:52
20	SUNDIN, MATS	C	VAN	38.4	8.211	41	28	16:51
21	MOORE, DOMINIC	C	BUF	28.9	0.900	81	45	16:50
22	RECCHI, MARK	R	BOS	41.4	1.500	80	61	16:47
23	~~GUERIN, BILL~~	R	PIT	38.6	4.500	78	48	16:40
24	DVORAK, RADEK	R	FLA	32.3	1.550	81	36	16:26
25	MADDEN, JOHN	C	N.J	36.2	2.939	76	23	16:25
26	SYKORA, PETR	R	PIT	32.6	2.500	76	46	16:18
27	AXELSSON, P.J.	L	BOS	34.3	1.850	75	30	16:14
28	HILBERT, ANDY	C	NYI	28.4	0.675	67	27	16:09
29	TANGUAY, ALEX	L	MTL	29.6	5.250	50	41	16:05
30	WARD, JOEL	R	NSH	28.6	0.500	79	35	16:01
31	~~REINPRECHT, S.~~	C	PHX	33.1	2.000	73	41	15:54
32	WILLIAMS, JASON	C	CBJ	28.9	2.200	80	47	15:51
33	VEILLEUX, S.	L	MIN	27.6	0.863	81	23	15:48
34	SATAN, MIRO	R	PIT	34.7	3.500	65	36	15:45
35	COMRIE, MIKE	C	OTT	28.8	4.000	63	27	15:42
36	NIEDERMAYER, R.	C	ANA	34.5	2.000	79	21	15:35
37	KOTALIK, ALES	R	EDM	30.5	2.333	75	43	15:27
38	BONK, RADEK	C	NSH	33.5	1.475	66	25	15:27
39	SAMUELSSON, M.	R	DET	32.5	1.200	81	40	15:22
40	PELTONEN, VILLE	L	FLA	36.1	1.100	79	31	15:15
41	LAROSE, CHAD	C	CAR	27.3	0.875	81	31	15:08
42	GRIER, MICHAEL	R	S.J	34.5	1.775	62	23	15:00
43	MOEN, TRAVIS	L	S.J	27.2	0.913	82	16	14:59
44	SHANAHAN, B.	L	N.J	40.4	0.800	34	14	14:54
45	PYATT, TAYLOR	L	VAN	27.9	1.575	69	19	14:43
46	MARCHANT, TODD	C	ANA	35.9	2.518	72	18	14:32
47	MORRISON, B.	C	DAL	33.9	2.750	81	31	14:13
48	SILLINGER, MIKE	C	NYI	38.0	2.200	7	2	14:12
49	PERRIN, ERIC	C	ATL	33.7	0.750	78	23	14:11
50	KOSTOPOULOS, T.	R	MTL	30.4	0.900	78	22	14:09
51	FEDOTENKO, R.	L	PIT	30.4	2.250	65	39	14:06
52	PECA, MICHAEL	C	CBJ	35.3	1.315	71	22	14:06
53	FIDDLER, VERNON	C	NSH	29.1	0.850	78	17	13:58
54	LAPERRIERE, IAN	R	COL	35.4	1.150	74	19	13:50
56	DEVEREAUX, BOYD	C	TOR	31.2	0.575	23	11	13:42
57	ARNASON, TYLER	C	COL	30.3	1.675	71	22	13:19
58	YELLE, STEPHANE	C	BOS	35.1	0.750	77	18	13:16
59	CALDER, KYLE	L	L.A	30.5	2.700	74	27	13:10
60	AFINOGENOV, MAX	R	BUF	29.8	3.333	48	20	12:36
61	~~WINCHESTER, BRAD~~	L	STL	28.3	0.600	64	21	12:10
62	WILLSIE, BRIAN	R	COL	31.3	0.600	42	4	11:47
63	ROENICK, JEREMY	C	S.J	39.4	1.100	42	13	11:39
64	MCAMMOND, DEAN	L	NYI	36.0	0.875	62	16	11:16
65	PARRISH, MARK	R	DAL	32.4	0.500	44	13	11:16
66	NICHOL, SCOTT	C	NSH	34.5	0.750	43	10	11:04
67	NEIL, CHRIS	R	OTT	30.0	1.100	60	10	10:58
68	HINOTE, DAN	R	STL	32.4	1.000	51	5	10:55
69	LUNDQVIST, JOEL	C	DAL	27.3	0.725	43	6	10:49
70	BEGIN, STEVE	L	DAL	31.0	1.057	62	12	10:43
71	BETTS, BLAIR	C	NYR	29.4	0.615	81	10	10:37
72	GRATTON, CHRIS	C	CBJ	34.0	1.250	24	3	10:32
73	BAYDA, RYAN	L	CAR	28.6	0.475	70	12	10:27
74	KOPECKY, TOMAS	R	DET	27.4	0.500	79	19	10:25
75	RUPP, MICHAEL	R	N.J	29.5	0.500	72	9	8:44
76	~~ADAMS, CRAIG~~	R	PIT	32.2	0.600	45	7	8:41
77	ARMSTRONG, DEREK	C	L.A	36.2	1.500	56	9	8:29
78	BRASHEAR, DONALD	L	WSH	37.5	1.250	63	4	8:15
79	MAY, BRAD	L	TOR	37.6	0.600	58	7	7:16

Who do I like out of this massive group? I think Cammalleri would be a decent signing depending on how high the dollar figures get, and Sami Pahlsson would be someone I'd look to add to my team if you can get him for less than $4-million.

Others in the bargain category could be Brian Gionta, Steve Sullivan, John Madden, Robert Lang, Joel Ward and Chad Larose. Really, though, on the whole there's not a ton there after the top 10-15 players, and it's not a great market for forward depth.

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Comments

He may be all the way down at 71, but whomever gets Blair Betts is going to be very happy.

by David M. Getz on Jun 29, 2009 2:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

St Louis Game Time is reporting that Blues resign Winchester, #61 on your list.

by tbell61 on Jun 29, 2009 2:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Reinprecht has already signed with Florida

by chileiceman on Jun 29, 2009 2:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks guys, you’re incredible at finding all this.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 29, 2009 2:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

4 million for Sami? More like 2-2.5.

by wlittle on Jun 29, 2009 3:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Seriously. I’m about the biggest Pahlsson fan I know and even I had to re-read that part.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jun 29, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My weakness is apparently projecting what players will get in free agency… pretend it says $3-million.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 29, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wonder if Washington takes Robert Lang back. Man, wouldn’t that be something.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Jun 29, 2009 3:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I thought he played very, very well in Montreal before getting hurt.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 29, 2009 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A torn Achilles tendon at age 38… the guy will have to sign an incentive laden deal. There’s a lot of reason to believe he won’t be anywhere near the same player after that.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Jun 29, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah but with his age he can’t be looking for more than a 2 year deal, which makes him a potential target for a team like the Caps. Depending on what price he’s willing to accept he could be just the short term 2C the Caps need.

by Fehr and Balanced on Jun 29, 2009 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

note to NW division teams: Tyler Arnason is vastly underrated and would be an absolute steal at, say, $5 million per year.

Hyphens cause writers more trouble than any other form of punctuation, except perhaps commas.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jun 29, 2009 3:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

“Vastly underrated” as a doorstop, okay. :)

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Jun 29, 2009 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s a St. Cloud State Husky. No one in their right mind wants him.

by J. Michael Neal on Jun 29, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW, Craig Adams re-signs with the Penguins.

In other news, I’m working on throwing this work out to an Excel spreadsheet so that it can be sorted and tracked.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Jun 29, 2009 4:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And here it is, guys. I’ve taken all of James’ information and thrown it to an Excel spreadsheet – you’ll need at least Excel 97 to read it. There are two tabs, one for the skaters (forwards and defencemen) and one for the goalies. This should let you track who’s still available, sort by position or name or team or whatever you want. I will try to keep this updated the best I can, though I’m not always perfect with such things.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Jun 29, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, no everyone should ignore this and continue to come to this blog for updated free agent lists…

:-)

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 29, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I think you have nothing to fear, James. They will anyway, they usually do.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Jun 29, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, QO’s are out – should you include those not qualified on these lists?

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Jun 29, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marcel Goc! Lukas Kaspar! Tomas Plihal! Feel the excitement!

"Sweet Zarley Zalapski, Batman!"

by ZarleyZalapski on Jun 29, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

With each of them hovering around .2 PPG, I honestly don’t know how anyone can pass them up.

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jun 29, 2009 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What Zarley’s trying to say is that they likely wouldn’t land very high on the list. Jay McKee should be on the one for blueliners though.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 29, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the record, though, the Bird Watchers are keeping an eye on this:

http://www.birdwatchersanonymous.com/2009/6/29/929733/surprise-nhl-free-agents-result

"Sweet Zarley Zalapski, Batman!"

by ZarleyZalapski on Jun 30, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There was talk during the season Cammalleri might get $5-6 million

…and if that ends up happening, some team is going to be mighty disappointed. His 39 goals were very nice, but his one dimensional game, and disappearing act when it mattered sure weren’t.

by Resolute on Jun 29, 2009 6:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pens lock up Guerin in a one year deal, don’t know the details

by Hansmoleman on Jun 29, 2009 7:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Guerin's deal

I understand that it is for $2.85 million though I haven’t found it on TSN yet.

by HighlandersHockey on Jun 29, 2009 8:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Kessel Money?

Resolute – if Cammalleri might get $5-6m, where do you think Kessel and his 36 goals for the B’s stands for signing a new contract. B’s wanted to deal him for Kaberle & this year’s 7th pick but Burke said the 7th pick was never going to happen with that deal.

Jim Sullivan
http://refwhistle.blogspot.com/

by hockeysully on Jun 29, 2009 8:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Kessel isn’t an unrestricted free agent, so he’ll likely have to settle for a bit less. But certainly in the $4.5-million range.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jun 29, 2009 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I haven’t seen Kessel play enough to judge his overall game, so couldn’t make a fair assessment. As James notes, however, he’s not unrestricted, so that will cost him a bit. Off hand, if Cammalleri is worth $5-5.5 mil, Kessel might fit into the $4-4.5 range? If he was unrestricted, I’d probably see him at least even in salary expectations.

by Resolute on Jun 29, 2009 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point regarding his RFA status – i just thought it was a good comparison of his 36 goals versus cammalleri’s 39. many of Kessel’s came late in games and without a guy like savard to set him up, not sure we will see that kind of production out of him again.

by hockeysully on Jun 30, 2009 6:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’ll be the interesting thing for Cammalleri too. Iginla found himself to be more of a playmaker last season than a goal scorer, specfically setting Cammalleri up for a good percentage of his goals. You really have to wonder what Cammalleri’s production will be if he ends up with a team thin on scoring talent, such as the oft rumoured Maple Leafs or Canucks (if the Sisters don’t re-sign).

by Resolute on Jun 30, 2009 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like LaRose, Moen, and Pyatt a lot in that 40-50 range on your list.

Afinogenov is another guy rated really low there. I’d much rather take a shot with him than Arnason or Calder. I don’t know how much he’d need to get to avoid going over to the KHL, but Afinogenov might be a good fit for an offensively starved team if they can get him for a million or so. He’ll never be a great finisher, and he’ll drive coaches crazy with his bad decisions, but if he’s allowed to play an up-tempo style I can see him getting 15 goals and 45 points or so…and he’s also pretty decent in shootouts. Might be worth a team taking a flier on him. He wasn’t very good the last couple years in Buffalo, but he also wasn’t used right- at all.

by Make a play Whitner on Jun 29, 2009 11:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pyatt is just, meh, but like Moen a lot. Tough, grinding and a winner. Some team that wants the kind of third line depth that fills out winning teams should lock up Moen on Wednesday.

by DeafNotDumb on Jun 30, 2009 12:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have to say that Alex Tanguay, at 29 on the list (I know it’s by ice time…) could be one of the gems in there, depending on the money of course. I sure hope he re-signs with the Habs, much more than the other Alex.

by Habs on Jun 30, 2009 10:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs