Top UFA’s As The Trade Deadline Approaches
from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,
Thoughts on 10 other (Bergeron and Forsberg mentioned earlier) high-profile impending UFAs as the March 21 3 p.m. (Eastern) deadline approaches, each with their current cap hit attached:
Claude Giroux, C, Flyers ($8.275 million) — Considered a fait accompli to be dealt, and most likely to Colorado. A workhorse franchise piece for his 14 years in Philadelphia, and among the few in today’s game to have rung up 100 points in a season. Yet always seems to be something missing. Maybe that’s different in Denver’s thinner air?
Joe Pavelski, C, Stars ($7 million) — Ex-Sharks standout is out of Big D if Dallas is a seller, an issue likely not resolved by the deadline. If it’s close, they keep him. If not, he has the overall presence and game to turn a contender into a favorite. None better for net-front deflections on the man advantage. Dumb of the Sharks to have let him walk.
Vinny Trocheck, C, Hurricanes ($4.75 million) — Not a likely move on Carolina’s part, but a case can be made: The Hurricanes have talented forwards aplenty, and they also have to figure out where they go with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the ex-Hab they grossly overpaid ($6.1 million) last summer as a RFA steal. Some good grind in Trocheck’s game, enough maybe for a legit contender to yield a middle of the pack first-rounder.
more names and other hockey topics......
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