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NHL free agency, part 8
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This is part eight of a ten part, team by team analysis of the NHL's current crop of unrestricted free agents. I will give my opinion on each player and wether their team should keep them or not. These lists are up to date at the time of writing. Only players who saw significant playing time last season are included.
Philadelphia
Mike Knuble - Let go. Cap issues look to play a part in Philadelphia's off season moves. With one of the youngest teams in the NHL last season, the Flyers would love to have Knuble's veteran presence on the ice, but the salary cap will not allow it.
Andrew Alberts - Keep. Once again, price will play a big factor in the Flyers decision here. If cap space wasn't an issue, Alberts probably would find himself on the open market. however, with the Flyers only a few million below the estimated cap for next season, there are few options available to them.
Martin Biron - Let go. Biron looks to be the odd man out in Philadelphia. With the Flyers having Antero Nittymaki as the #1 goaltender and with the recent signing of Ray Emery, it looks as though the Flyers are content to let him go.
Antero Nittymaki - Keep. With Biron looking to be on the way out, the #1 goaltender in Philadelphia looks to be Nittymaki. Although less than stellar in his last go around as a #1, Nittymaki has excelled in the backup role and is ready to make the next step.
Phoenix
Brian McGrattan - Keep. As a developing team well under the salary cap, the Coyotes can afford to take a chance on a player or two. If McGrattan can use his size to the team's advantage, Phoenix could be able to make some more noise in the western conference this year.
Dmitri Kalinin - Keep. A very good defenseman with a lot of years left in him, Kalinin should return to the desert this season.
Ken Klee - Let go. Klee is coming to the end of a very good career. Phoenix needs to give the younger prospects some experience, however.
Pittsburgh
Craig Adams - Keep. With the Penguins having a large number of UFA's to contend with, Adams bargain level contract looks to be a good fit.
Ruslan Fedotenko - Keep. The problem with giving your top stars large contracts is there's little left for the second tier. Fedotenko should be back, but if his contract demands are significantly more than what he made last season, he may end up on the open market.
Bill Guerin - Let go. Just when you think Guerin's career is over, he puts together another great season. He should return to the NHL for an 18th season, it just won't be with the Penguins.
Miroslav Satan - Let go. Not a lot of production for what the Penguins paid him last season should see Satan on the free agent market.
Petr Sykora - Keep. While Satan was a bit overpaid, one could argue that Sykora was underpaid. A third straight 20+ goal season should earn him another season with the champs.
Mike Zigomanis - Let go. Limited to only 22 regular season games and no playoff appearances will send Zigomanis to the open market.
Philippe Boucher - Let go. If the Penguins want to stay at the top in the future, they must get their young prospects in on defense as soon as possible. Boucher will need to find a new home next season.
Hal Gill - Let go. As with Boucher, Gill could be let go in favor of Pittsburgh's talent in the AHL. Should those prospects not be ready, Gill could be back with the Penguins next season.
Rob Scuderi - Keep. A good young veteran who will help the Penguins transition from an older to a younger defensive group.
Mathieu Garon - Let go. This will be an interesting decision or the Penguins. If they feel that John Curry is far enough along in his development to be the backup to Marc-Andre Fleury, then Garon will be let go. Don't be surprised if Pittsburgh signs Garon to a one year deal and, should Curry be ready later on in the season, be used as trade bait at the deadline.
Tomorrow I'll cover San Jose, St. Louis, and Tampa.
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