Top 10 NHL Free Agents

1. Marian Hossa RW
last year with Det. : 40 goals 31 assists 71 points

Report: Must be nice to get 2nd place in the finals 2 years in a row. Still an amazing player who had a terrific regular season but a sub-par playoffs especially the finals with Detroit. He signed a 1 yr deal with Det. around 7 mil last summer and he'll likely be offered a deal higher than that by some desperate teams such as Edmonton or Los Angeles. But GM Ken Holland and Hossa have been in talks the last couple weeks about a 5 yr contract extension with Detroit. Will be seeking a $7-8 mil a yr range.
Could sign with: Det, La, Edm, Min, Mtl, Bos


2. Jay Bowmeester D
last year with Fla: 15 goals 27 assists 42 points

Report: Jay was almost dealt on trade deadline day but a deal couldn't get done. Florida's only chance at making the playoffs was with J-Bo on the team. The Panthers will attempt to trade his rights during the draft so they can get something for him instead of letting him walk for free on July 1st. He is only 24 and getting better each year. Both an offensive threat and a defensive shutdown guy, nice luxury to have. Will be looking for contract in $6-7 mil a yr range.
Could sign with: Van, Philly, Mtl, Edm, Ott, Nyi, Col


3. Martin Havlat RW
last year with Chi: 29 goals 48 assists 77 points

Report: Used to be called soft in his playing days in Ottawa. He has bulked up and plays with an edge now. Had a great year in Chicago and he likes the city, the direction the team is going and wouldn't mind returning. Marty was very clutch in this years playoff run, posting a couple game winning goals and being a key part of the Hawks 2nd line. Look for NJ to take a run at him since they'll have some cap space and Elias is good friends with Marty. He's expecting a $5.5 mil a yr deal.
Could sign with: Chi, Pit, NJ, Bos, Wsh, Atl, Min


4. Mike Cammalleri C
last year with Cal: 39 goals 43 assists 82 points

Report: Signed a 1-yr deal with the Flames last summer and had a breakout year playing alongside Jarome Iginla. Mike notched 34 goals a couple years ago with LA. He's got tremendous speed and skill, and can play both wing and center. He should get a healthy raise in salary to anywhere between $5-7 mil depending on who's desperate enough.
Could sign with: Cgy, Tor, Atl, Dal, Van, Nyr, Edm


5. Daniel/Henrik Sedin, RW/C
Daniel numbers with Van: 31 goals 51 assists 82 points
Henrik numbers with Van: 22 goals 60 assists 82 points

Report: Not only are they twins, not only did they have the same point totals, but they want to be packaged to the same team. Toronto GM Brian Burke was the one who drafted the Sedins in the '99 draft as the GM for Vancouver, and it's expected that he'll make a strong push for them to come to Toronto. Getting those two basically completes a 1st or 2nd line for a team. Atlanta also has a lot of cap space and is willing to pay big bucks.
Could sign with: Tor, Atl, Van, Dal, La, Nyi, Edm


6. Marion Gaborik RW
last year with Min: 10 goals 23 points in 17 games

Report: As talented and as fast as any forward in the NHL. Only problem is he's very injury prone. In 07-08 he played in 77 games for the Wild but has played in under 70 games during his other years. With Chuck Fletcher and Todd Richards running the show, the Wild will implement an offensive system similar to that of the Pens. Fletcher will do everything he can to keep this guy on the Wild. Interesting to see what the market brings Gaborik because of his injury history. He's also very good friends with Van. forward Pavel Demitra. A deal in the 6 mil a yr range is most likely.
Could sign with: Van, Min, Pit, Nyi, Atl, Edm, La, Ott


7. Nikolai Khabibulin
last year with Chi: 25 wins 8 losses 2.33 gaa

Report: "The Bulin Wall" is getting old at 36 but he's the best goaltender available this summer and he also has a Stanley Cup ring to show for it. Has always been steady throughout his career, and had a very solid year in Chicago splitting duties with Cristobal Huet, and then eventually becoming the starter in the 2nd half of the year. A lot of teams need goaltending. Colorado will not get anywhere with Raycroft and Budaj in net. Dallas is interested with Turco getting older, also Edmonten could be interested with Roloson most likely leaving.
Could sign with: Col, Chi, Edm, Dal, La


8. Mike Komisarek D
last year with Mtl: 11 pts and 121 pim

Report: Is still young and only reaching his prime at 27. A very physical defenseman who's capable of moving the puck up ice, unlike some big guys named Hal Gill. Had a down year with the Habs, then again so did everyone on that team including Kovalev. He doesn't mind dropping the fists and would be a great shutdown defenseman on most teams. He made $1.9 mil in Mtl this past year, but teams will overpay for him like no other because of the lack of good defenseman in free agency.
Could sign with: Atl, Fla, Dal, Nyi, Phi, Wsh, TB


9. Scott Niedermayer D
last year with Ana: 14 goals 45 assists 59 points

Report: Anaheim wants to re-sign him for one or two more years. He's aging at 35 but he wants to play in the Vancouver '10 olympics and he's still got some good years left. A power play specialist, a shutdown defenseman, and has amazing hands. Was a big part of why Anaheim beat SJ and took Det. to 7 games this spring. Columbus is very interested in bringing a power play quarterback (they had the worst PP in NHL this year) in, at the right price they will go after Scott.
Could sign with: Ana, NJ, Nyr, Tor, Col, Cal


10. Brian Gionta RW
last year with NJ: 20 goals 40 assits 60 points

Report: His numbers have dropped since the 05-06 season when he scored 48 goals with the Devils. But he's been a 20-25 goal scorer with the potential for more. Feels like the East. Conf. version of Jonathan Cheechoo. This guy still has a lot to give. He's averaging 250 shots a season for NJ and he's got great speed. Put him on a team with some good centers (Pittsburgh?) and he'll be shining. I also blame his decline in numbers for the NJ lineup. Not much offense there to get him the puck besides Elias. Parise's a goal scorer, Roloston is old, Madden is a defensive player, Clarkson is an agitator, Zajac is a power forward, you get the point?
Could sign with: NJ, Cal, Van, Pit, Atl, Tor