BRHL Free Agency Primer

 

This article is will focus on the top 20 free agents heading into July 5^th who are expected to be cashing in while teams try and load up for next seasons campaign. The players are in no particular order however this will break down why our writers feel these will be the big money names being signed this offseason.

 

Dustin Byfuglien-D

 

Loyalty: Dave Chicago

 

CK 86, SK 83, PH 86, PA, 77, SC 53, DF 77

 

Big Buff was the driving force for Dave’s blue line last season and even though his DF has taken a bit of a hit he is still one of the high end offensive defensemen on the market and would be a great on any team to run their PP. “

 

Mikko Koivu-C

 

Loyalty-Greg Boston

 

CK 67, SK 79, PH 82, FO 92, PA 79, SC 70, DF 83

 

A few years ago he would probably not make this list but in recent years we have seen the value of the well rounded forward skyrocket. Now factor in if Greg asks Junya’s advice on anything it will be to pay out the ass for a top 6 Center with good DF rating. Don’t expect the same haul he got last time he was on the market but Mikko should still get a nice cheque.

 

Daniel Sedin-LW

 

CK 65, SK 75, PH 84, PA 80, SC 79, DF 50

 

Loyalty-Devon Anahiem

 

The LW crop in this years free agency is pretty barren to say the least and that demand on the market will boost Daniels value big time. He has modest 2^nd line rates to start with plus some name value and it is unknown exactly which direction Devon will go this year but I think its safe to assume he wont be trying to resign him with loyalty. This just means he really will be put out there for the rest of the market to bid on and he will be looking to cash in one last time before retirement.

 

Hendrik Zetterberg-C

 

Loyalty-Rich Carolina

 

CK 67, SK 80, PH 81, FO 86, PA 87, SC 64, DF 57

 

This year is a deep Center class and yes his SC rating is nothing fancy but he showed he can still produce at a high level in the sim last year with similar ratings and then factor in his name value and Hendrik will likely still see north of $5.5 mill this offseason. Now factor in the loyalty Rich has shown he is not backing off and will push this team to the brink in order to make playoffs. He has two high ticket Centers loyalties this offseason and Staal has such good rates the bidding may get too RICH for him and Zetterberg seems like a logical option to go back to Carolina this year.

 

Eric Staal-C

 

Loyalty-Rich Carolina

 

CK 65, SK 83, PH 79, FO 91, PA 80, SC 94, DF 73

 

One of the more high profile Centers this offseason with a 94SC and well rounded rates to back it up he will have lots of suitors and expect his price tag to start over $10 mill. He became rejuvenated with the Wild last year and showed flashes of the good Staal which became stale in Carolina over the last few years.

 

Zdeno Chara-D

 

CK 84, SK 72, PH 62, PA 58, SC 50, DF 95

 

Had similar rates last year and walked away with a good cheque and there are even more Bruins fans around that on name value alone he is looking to get what is expected to be another modest 1 year deal. Chara has been able to still rerate good and produce in the sim the last few years despite taking a noticeable step back in real life. Everyone is waiting for him to hit that wall around 40 and that is why we are expecting another 1 year descent ticket signing for his rates this year.

 

Ryan Getzlaf-C

 

Loyalty-Bill Pittsburgh

 

CK 82, SK 74, PH 84, FO 85, PA 99, SC 72, DF 74

 

The SC takes a little dip but besides that very well rounded rates are highlighted by his 99PA. Similar to Zetterberg but better rates he would be a great presence for any team down the middle. Again it is a very deep market for centers this year but I expect him to still go as a top 5 Center being paid.

 

Blake Wheeler-C/RW

 

Loyalty-Bill Pittsburgh

 

CK 77, SK 86, PH 83, FO 59, PA 99, SC 79, DF 71

 

With a 59 FO he is really more of a true RW that could cover the Center spot in a pinch but besides that he is one of the more elite options in free agency this year. He would be a top line RW on most teams and we expect him to get paid like one this offseason. Expecting him to see double digit offers early in free agency. Wheeler has expressed interest to come back to Pittsburgh and help the team finally get over their disappointing ways but was quoted saying “Money Talks”.

 

Patrice Bergeron-C

 

Loyalty-Ty Nashville

 

CK 71, SK 87, PH 84, FO 98, PA 86, SC 91, DF 72

 

In our opinion Patrice should have the “Big dick in the locker” confidence going into this offseason. He is THE best rated player in free agency and im sure will be getting lots of attention and will likely walk away with the biggest paycheck. A legit number 1 Center he will be a focal point for whatever team gets him for this season. In recent years we have even seen tanking teams make a shot at these kind of high profile players then later flip them for higher end picks. Also consider the rumours Ty may be doing a bit of a retool this year in a very competitive Central Division and that just takes that loyalty pressure off the other teams. So whichever direction he ends up going Im sure he will end up with a check pushing $15 mill base AND making a good playoff run for someone.

 

Hendrik Sedin-C

 

Loyalty-Nolan Detroit

 

CK 59, SK 75, PH 83, FO 80, PA 88, SC 56, DF 50

 

As the higher end names start coming off the board we expect Hendrik to still be lingering around and that’s when his 88 PA will start to draw attention. He will b another one of those guys that likely go for way too much in the kind of 3^rd wave of players being signed. As other options come off the board supply and demand will kick in and he will be finding himself with a good check sending him onto retirement.

 

Alexander Edler-D

 

Loyalty-Kirk Ottowa

 

CK 87, SK 80, PH 82, PA 70, SC 50, DF 92

 

There is a really deep market for defencemen this year and even though there are a couple more offensive D or a few more with a better DF Edler in our opinion is the 3^rd best all around Dman on the market. Behind the Subbans and Suters with these rates he should be able to chip in offensively with his 82PH and 70PA but also be reliable on his own with a 92DF, 87 CK and can still get around the ice no problem with a 80 SK so he isn’t just another one of these high DF slugs on the market. Now the Sens have 3 of last years Dmen hitting free agency and it is expected he will be the main focus to be resigned from that group but for the reasons pointed out he should get lots off attention even though Edler doesn’t have the name value of the Byfugliens, Burns, Subban, Suter etc…

 

Jeff Carter-C

 

Loyalty-Rex Seattle

 

CK 75, SK 82, PH 83, FO 97, PA 76, SC 92, DF 72

 

Another one of the high profile free agents. His rates are highlighted by that 92SC and there really is not a lot of high SC options on the market this year. But outside that he has very good rates to back it up and will be one of the top paid free agents. His loyalty was picked in expansion by Rex which indicates he plans on paying a high price to eat half that salary later and move for a good pick or pieces. This will for sure bump up the bidding with anyone else who has the cap and cash to land him now and not later at the cost of assets.

 

P.K Subban-D

 

Loyalty-Rex Seattle

 

CK 79, SK 90, PH 87, PA 76, SC 61, DF 88

 

For sure one of the elite blueliners on the market this year. Great rates across the board and will likely be the highest paid Dman from the group this year. Another Rex loyalty pick will just add pressure to the market. He steps on any team and is likely their number 1 Defencemen or at the very least walks on to any top pair.

 

Brent Burns-D

 

Loyalty-Rex Seattle

 

CK 75, SK 88, PH 92, PA 83, SC 58, DF 73

 

Burns is a Power Play specialist and has probably the best offensive rates for any Dman. His 73 DF hinders him a bit but he would likely have to be paired with a high DF partner. Never the less he is a force to be reckoned with on the back end and many teams will be interested in him come free agent frenzy.

 

Corey Perry-RW

 

Loyalty-Al Minnesota

 

CK 71, SK 78, PH 79, PA 82, SC 75, DF 61

 

Perry has decent 2^nd line rates but we imagine once some of the higher end forwards start coming off the board many will turn to him as a good option B. He should fair a good price tag but if he lingers around and nobody makes a serious run at him until the later rounds he will be cashing in big time like the Thortons and Spezzas from last year.

 

Ryan Suter-D

 

Loyalty-Al Minnesota

 

CK 75, SK 85, PH 88, PA 79, SC 49, DF 90

 

Suter is for sure one of the top 3 defensemen on the market this year. He has excellent rates across the board and can be thrown into any situation on the ice. Imagine lots of GMs will be interested especially as others may start to sign elsewhere. Expecting him to make north of $10 mill base salary

 

Hendrik Lunqvist-G

 

Loyalty-Dave Chicago

 

82,90,89,72,78,86,59,82,85,82,81,80

 

Expecting Dave to put that loyalty to work and resign Hendrik. Initially don’t think he gets too much push back but if Hendrik holds out more and more teams could be willing to pay the price in a limited market. He has good rates nothing special for a starter and on the right team could be enough to carry them through the season.

 

Carter Hutton-G

 

Loyalty-Steve Montreal

 

84,61,61,74,90,78,81,81,90,84,57,59

 

With his current rates and especially his durability Hutton will most likely be a good backup option for a team this year BUT what puts him on this top 20 list is he is a free agent in the real NHL this year and if he lands in a spot like Buffalo he could end up rerating as a legit starter. Also factor in Steve is solidified with Bobrovsky and likely wont be investing big bucks Carter may be requesting for his backup role with other more important areas needing to be addressed. This just would take the loyalty factor out and open the door for more teams. We have seen teams make a bid on guys like this as an investment and with his usable ratings as is we are expecting him to get a number of phone calls and offers once deadline opens.

 

Corey Crawford-G

 

Loyalty-Nolan Detroit

 

80,71,70,82,86,75,77,81,86,80,94,66

 

With the emergence of Hellybuck it is very likely Crawford will be the best rated goalie on the market without a loyalty factoring into the bidding. Despite the injury issues which effected his durability a bit Crawford still has good ratings for a starter and will probably get the most attention. This year there are a handful of teams that are committed to competing this year that still have no starting tender which will make or break their season. Expecting teams like St. Louis, Calgary, Ottowa, Sabres and Leafs to all at least show some interest towards Crawford as an option this year.

 

Ryan Miller-G

 

Loyalty-Junya Dallas

 

80,71,72,65,86,75,75,80,86,80,77,78

 

Miller will most likely be returning to the Stars however signs are showing this year should be a much more competitive free agency for goalies and if the Crawford bidding war gets too high expect some of the fallouts to at least reach out to Ryan Miller. Either way it will bump that price up.