Faceoff Factor

What the Last of the Free Agents Can Bring to Your Team

Michael Farkas | National Hockey League

Aug 20, 07:28 PM | Hype this story!

We are about a month away from the beginning of training camp for most clubs. However, there are still a few free agents that could add a boost to most team’s lineups. We’ve compiled a list of the best available free agents and what they’ll bring to your team. Some of these players may be signed while others will be receiving tryouts to respective training camps across North America, while still other will head over to Europe to continue their playing careers.

Key: [Player name] – [former team] (prior season stats and salary) Age as of October 31st

Best Available Wingers:

Teemu Selanne – Anaheim (Last season: 82 GP, 48 goals, 46 assists, 94 points – $5.75 million) Age: 37

Selanne is leaning towards retirement. He also said that if he plays hockey again it would be for the Ducks. I don’t really like to consider him on a list like this, but he is technically an unrestricted free agent. Selanne, despite his age, still has a lot of game left and if he’s put on an offensive powerhouse of a line he can be a point-per-game player still. Selanne brings a wealth of goal scoring talent and speed to any line.

Mike Johnson – Montreal (Last season: 80 GP, 11 goals, 20 assists, 31 points – $1.786 million) Age: 33

Johnson is a poster child for inconsistency. You never can tell what kind of year he’s going to have for you; the only thing you can be sure of is that he won’t do the dirty work for you. That said, he has good hockey sense and reads plays well on both sides of the puck. A little more poise to go with his skill and speed and he could score 20 goals and 50 points in any given year.

Vladimir Orszagh – St. Louis (Last season: DNP – knee surgery – $750,000) Age: 30

Orszagh is not on the average NHL fan’s radar. However, he possesses a good amount of offensive talent. Shows great finesse with the puck, sometimes goes for the fancy move over the safe pass, but that’s becoming less and less prevalent. Is willing to work for his scoring chances and will charge the net with reckless abandon He is quickly acquiring the “injury-prone” tag at the NHL level.

Jeff O’Neill – Toronto (Last season: 74 GP, 20 goals, 22 assists, 42 points – $1.5 million) Age: 31

O’Neill would be an exceptional player if the NHL played a 35 game schedule. Needless to say O’Neill is streaky and, in his slumps, lackadaisical. Shows top-six offensive instincts at times; is willing to throw his body around and will win a faceoff more often than not. However, O’Neill seems to be becoming disgruntled with his treatment in recent years, most of which stems from O’Neill’s own doings.

Tony Amonte – Calgary (Last season: 81 GP, 10 goals, 20 assists, 30 points – $1.85 million) Age: 37

Amonte is clearly in the twilight years of his career at this point. He’s no longer a top-six forward, but he is a team-first player that will do anything to win. He can still keep up in the new NHL but won’t blow anyone away anymore. He’s evolved into a more defensive-minded forward than in years past.

Peter Bondra – Chicago (Last season: 37 GP, 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points – ~$1.77 million) Age: 39

At this age, it’s unlikely that Peter Bondra will get another contract. He had injury trouble last year and wasn’t very effective on the ice. He still has a fantastic shot that he’ll use from anywhere on the ice at any time. At this point, however, it seems Bondra’s career is likely over.

Ronald Petrovicky – Pittsburgh (Last season: 31 GP, 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points – $450,000) Age: 30

Petrovicky likes to agitate on the ice and he does it pretty well. He’s not a big body out there but is still willing to go for big hits. The 5’11, 190 pound forward likes to try to get the opposition off their game and will even drop the gloves to stand up for a teammate. Petrovicky is adequate in the offensive zone, he won’t create chances on his own but he won’t totally whiff if an opportunity arises to score.

Jeff Friesen – Calgary (Last season: 72 GP, 6 goals, 6 assists, 12 points – $1.6 million) Age: 31

Friesen never really lived up to his offensive billing at the NHL level and ever since his Cup win with New Jersey this has been exponentially true. He’s netted just 23 points since the lockout on three different teams. His skating has kept him around but I’m not sure if any team will take a chance on him at this point. With a little more effort he could be used as a mildly effective penalty killer and fourth liner, but anything further than that would put the expectations too high.

Anson Carter – Carolina (Last season: 64 GP, 11 goals, 17 assists, 28 points – $2.5 million) Age: 33

Carter has somehow been miscast as a top six forward over the course of his career, that was never, and is not, the case. Carter is a big, but not physical, one-dimensional player. He has third line talent at best and a decent shot, but refuses to hit or backcheck despite his size. Desperately needs world-class linemates to be even somewhat productive. Has been rumored to be a locker room cancer.

Josh Langfeld – Detroit (Last season: 33 GP, 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points – $525,000) Age: 30

Langfeld uses his 6’3” 216 pound frame to play a crash and bang style on the ice. Which he isn’t overly effective at. Fairly intelligent with his passes. He probably wishes the game was as slow as it is at the AHL level. Makes for a decent two-way guy that could be used on the fourth line.

Notables that signed in Europe that do not have NHL rights:
Oleg Saprykin
Jaroslav Balastik
Nils Ekman
Denis Arkhipov
Ville Nieminen
Antti Laaksonen
Nikita Alexeev
Dmitri Afanasenkov
Alexander Suglobov
Juraj Kolnik
Eric Boguniecki

Best Available Centers:

Peter Forsberg – Nashville (Last season: 57 GP, 13 goals, 42 assists, 55 points – $5.75 million) Age: 34

Forsberg is on the fence as to whether he can continue his hockey career or not, and should he choose to continue, it’s unknown what country he’ll play in. The oft-injured center probably won’t be available within the 2007 calendar year due to his recurring injuries. Forsberg is still phenomenally talented when he is on the ice. At any point in time he’s one of the best passers in the game and has creativity to spare. Game-changing franchise center when he’s playing at even 80% health.

Michael Peca – Toronto (Last season: 35 GP, 4 goals, 11 assists, 15 points – $2.5 million) Age: 33

Peca is always willing to work hard and is the ultimate team player. He hits, wins faceoffs, sacrifices his body, penalty kills and gets his team fired up on the ice or on the bench. Due to his high-intensity work ethic, he can create scoring chances but that isn’t a natural role for him at this level. His reckless style has led to injuries and as he continues to age, this will become even more prevalent. Two-time Selke award winner (best defensive forward).

Eric Lindros – Dallas (Last season: 49 GP, 5 goals, 21 assists, 26 points – $1.65 million) Age: 34

Lindros is not even close to the player he once was and is leaning toward retirement at this point. Still has the size and skating ability to make things happen on the ice but the adequate play is not consistent anymore. Sometimes appears unsure and indecisive on the ice and is extremely injury prone. For his own safety, he should probably hang up his skates.

Glen Metropolit – St. Louis (Last season: 77 GP, 14 goals, 19 assists, 33 points – $500,000) Age: 33

Metropolit is pretty streaky scorer. His skating and offensive instincts are more than adequate but everything else needs work. Another player that can be a force in slower leagues but doesn’t translate as well to the NHL. Would be a decent addition to help spark a failing power play.

Alyn McCauley – Los Angeles (Last season: 10 GP, 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point – $2 million (bought out) Age: 30

McCauley has become a solid two-way center in the NHL. His work ethic and hockey sense are an asset at both ends of the ice. Will surprise you with his offensive play at times and the creativity of his passes. However, he often cannot create chances on his own. Becoming more and more streaky and injury prone as time goes by.

Dave Scatchard – Phoenix (Last season: 46 GP, 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points – $2.1 million (bought out) Age: 31

Scatchard is a defense-first center. At 6’3”, 220 he plays his role very well. Hits, blocks shots and wins faceoffs effectively. Very solid penalty killer. His offensive skills are not all there, despite a decent wrist shot. Sometimes makes passes that can only be described as “disappointing.”

Trevor Linden – Vancouver (Last season: 80 GP, 12 goals, 13 assists, 25 points – $800,000) Age: 37

Linden is a leader no matter where he plays or what role he’s in. Has become a third liner that does all the little things to help his team win. Will crash the net hard if it means generating a scoring chance. He’s stepped up his game in Vancouver’s last playoff run. However, he hasn’t been an offensive threat in a decade and his age may be catching up with him, especially when correlated to his style of play.

Mark Smith – San Jose (Last season: 41 GP, 3 goals, 10 assists, 13 points – $700,000) Age: 30

Smith is great two-way player, very sound defensively and on the penalty kill. Due to his limited skill set he is an extremely hard worker at both ends of the ice. Smith is not totally oblivious to the offensive zone and can generate chances just on work ethic alone. Can create momentum for his team on or off the ice.

Erik Rasmussen – New Jersey (Last season: 71 GP, 3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points – $450,000) Age: 30

Rasmussen never lived up his potential as a seventh overall selection in 1996. However, at 6’1”, 215 pounds he brings a good physical presence to any team. Not the greatest of puck-handlers but doesn’t play hot potato with it either. He brings a physical edge to his game but not much else.

Notables that signed in Europe that do not have NHL rights:
Alexei Yashin
Patrik Stefan
Petr Nedved
Randy Robitaille
Jamie Lundmark
Marc Chouinard
Martin Samuelsson

Best Available Offensive Defensemen:

Brent Sopel – Vancouver (Last season: 64 GP, 5 goals, 23 assists, 28 points – $2.4 million) Age: 30

Sopel has proved to be a moderately consistent threat from the blue line in the last five years or so. Has a good, hard shot from the point and typically makes crisp passes. Certainly not a liability on the ice (except in his last 20 games in Vancouver last year) but is predisposed to defensive mistakes. Prone to Ritz and Saltine-related injuries.

Bryan Berard – Columbus (Last season: 11 GP, 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points – $2.25 million) Age: 30

Prototypical defenseless defenseman, except, far more talented. Berard has fantastic offensive ability, and certainly warranted his first overall selection in 1995 and Calder Trophy in 1997. He’s an even more talented Kiril Koltsov, but is a big time liability in his own end, like Koltsov. Marian Hossa’s high stick to Berard about ten years ago has left him with permanent vision damage. Teams have serious reservations about his chronic back injuries. If he were not slowed by injuries, he could easily be top-ten in defensive scoring every season.

David Tanabe – Carolina (Last season: 60 GP, 5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points – $900,000) Age: 27

Tanabe is a smooth skating defenseman, but that’s about all he’s got going for him. For whatever reason he is remarkably inconsistent and just can’t put it all together at the NHL level. He is a fantastic skater but lacks the defensive know-how to utilize it. Needs to work very hard and very fast to round out his fundamentals in order to hold an NHL job.

Sandis Ozolinsh – New York Rangers (21 GP, 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points – $2.75 million) Age: 35

Ozolinsh is a seven-time All-Star that has fallen so dramatically off the map that it may lead to the end of his NHL career. Once had an elite skillset and could do whatever he wanted on the ice. Carries the puck well and is still a good passer, but his better days are far behind him. Seemingly refuses to participate in his own zone. Battling the demons of alcohol abuse.

Joel Bouchard – New York Islanders (DNP – Hamstring injury – $500,000) Age: 33

Bouchard is coming off of a serious hamstring injury that limited him to just four AHL games last season. Despite numerous chances, Bouchard has never stuck at the NHL level. He’s an adequate skater, like most offensive defenseman, and a smart, effective passer. Owns a low, heavy shot but tends to hit shin pads at the most inopportune times. Bouchard is mildly, although sporadically, competent in the defensive zone, but I would say it’s a stretch to qualify his defensive abilities as even “average.”

Notables that signed in Europe that do not have NHL rights:
Ric Jackman
Filip Novak
Andy Delmore

Best Available Defensive Defensemen:

Ossi Vaananen – Colorado (74 GP, 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points, +6 – ~$998,000) Age: 27 (today)

Big kid at 6’4”, 215 pounds and he uses it very effectively. Handles the puck with poise and composure. Does not possess the greatest skating ability because of his size, but it is certainly adequate even for the new NHL. Vaananen has never really been counted on to log huge minutes, so in that regard, he is sort of a wildcard.

Danny Markov – Detroit (66 GP, 4 goals, 12 assists, 16 points, +25 – $2.5 million) Age: 31

Markov, when healthy, is a fearless competitor. His skating and work ethic are above average and he can be a big time hitter. He is prone to Willie Mitchell-esque misses when he goes for a game-changing hit. Handles the puck fairly well, but it’s certainly not the strongest point of his game. Any team that signs him will be lucky to get 60 games per season out of him, rumored to be something of a locker room cancer, may be battling off-ice issues. Does not have a job because of his ridiculous contract demands after being paired with Nicklas Lidstrom last season.

Josef Melichar – Pittsburgh (70 GP, 1 goal, 11 assists, 12 points, +1 – $725,000) Age: 28

A shoulder injury early in Melichar’s NHL development has slowed his progress. Still possesses good defensive positioning but is hesitant about using his 6’2” 220 pound frame. He is rarely ever out of position. Has very little in the way of offensive smarts, has to think before making a play with the puck and by then it’s already too late.

Daniel Tjarnqvist – Edmonton (37 GP, 3 goals, 12 assists, 15 points, +3 – $1.625 million) Age: 31

Tjarnqvist plays an intelligent, positional defensive game. He rarely ever makes a blunder in his own end. Uses the boards effectively to make safe outlet passes. Despite being 6’2”, 200, he doesn’t play a style that utilizes his physical abilities. Handles the puck in an intelligent manner, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to score more than 20 points in a season.

Rory Fitzpatrick – Vancouver (58 GP, 1 goal, 6 assists, 7 points, +12 – $525,000) Age: 32

Very nearly an all-star, Fitzpatrick plays a strong, sound positional game. Displays a great work ethic to keep himself in the NHL. He could probably stand to hit more, but is cautious as to not make a mistake. Doesn’t see the ice all that well; if being synonymous with vanilla ice cream meant that a player wasn’t creative with the puck, then Rory Fitzpatrick is unflavored.

Notables that signed in Europe that do not have NHL rights:
Doug Lynch
Mikko Lehtonen
Sean Brown

Best Available Goaltenders:
Note: There is no longer really a market for goalies right now, so I won’t go into great detail unless requested to do so.

Curtis Joseph
Ed Belfour
Jean Sebastien Aubin
Mike Dunham
Brian Finley

Notables that signed in Europe that do not have NHL rights:
Mika Noronen
Jussi Markkanen
Sebastien Caron
Brian Boucher (AHL)