The handful of NHL teams with room left in their 2009-10 budget have a bigger choice of desirable free agents than is usually available this late in the summer.
More free agents have been left looking because the cap is increasing by a relatively small $100,000 next season and the majority of teams are at or near their budget or cap numbers.
Available players include former 30-goal scorer Alex Tanguay, plus defensemen Sergei Zubov and Mathieu Schneider, who in the past were considered among the league's better power-play point men.
SERGEI ZUBOV. DALLAS STARS...OR NOT?
"Part of it is teams struggling a bit with their cap management, and there is also some suggestion that trades yet completed could free up some space," agent Jay Fee said of the high number of free agents available.
The Ottawa Senators are trying to trade All-Star winger Dany Heatley, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have too many defensemen, are looking to move one.
Available unrestricted free agents of note:
•Jason Williams: He had 19 goals and 47 points last season, and he has been a good fit for a skating, offensive team. He had his best seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, who might be looking for another forward.
•Todd Bertuzzi: He's not the 46-goal scorer he once was, but he is a 235-pound power forward who had 15 goals and 46 points in 66 games last season with the Calgary Flames.
•Derek Morris: The defenseman, who made $3.9 million last season, can contribute on offense.
•Rob Niedermayer: With size and skating ability, Niedermayer, 34, is still an attractive role player. His 14 goals last season were his second-highest total in the past decade.
•Manny Malhotra: He's known as a good character guy, a hardworking forward who might score 10 to 15 goals.
•Mike Grier: His tenure with the San Jose Sharks is over, and he is looking for a new home. At 34, he's still capable of being a valuable role player. Said Fee: "We are getting calls on Mike, and he's a good fit for a lot of teams. ... We are just waiting."
•Dominic Moore: The Maple Leafs tried to re-sign the role player before last year's trade deadline, but his asking price was too high. With several good role players unsigned, it's not a seller's market.
Around the rinks:
As prospective Olympians prepare to take part in their countries' orientation camps next month, the NHL Players Association is concerned about whether adequate insurance is being offered to protect against injuries. "We have recommended that our members give strong consideration to the risks involved in participating (in on-ice activities) should proper insurance coverage not be provided," said Paul Kelly, the NHLPA's executive director. "The NHLPA continues to work towards reaching an amicable resolution to this issue with the NHL, the (International Ice Hockey Federation) and their federations." ... The Atlanta Thrashers signed No. 4 overall pick Evander Kane to a three-year rookie contract. ... The Boston Bruins signed defenseman Matt Hunwick to a two-year, $2.9 million contract. Hunwick, who made $775,000 last season, had filed for arbitration.
More free agents have been left looking because the cap is increasing by a relatively small $100,000 next season and the majority of teams are at or near their budget or cap numbers.
Available players include former 30-goal scorer Alex Tanguay, plus defensemen Sergei Zubov and Mathieu Schneider, who in the past were considered among the league's better power-play point men.
SERGEI ZUBOV. DALLAS STARS...OR NOT?
"Part of it is teams struggling a bit with their cap management, and there is also some suggestion that trades yet completed could free up some space," agent Jay Fee said of the high number of free agents available.
The Ottawa Senators are trying to trade All-Star winger Dany Heatley, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have too many defensemen, are looking to move one.
Available unrestricted free agents of note:
•Jason Williams: He had 19 goals and 47 points last season, and he has been a good fit for a skating, offensive team. He had his best seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, who might be looking for another forward.
•Todd Bertuzzi: He's not the 46-goal scorer he once was, but he is a 235-pound power forward who had 15 goals and 46 points in 66 games last season with the Calgary Flames.
•Derek Morris: The defenseman, who made $3.9 million last season, can contribute on offense.
•Rob Niedermayer: With size and skating ability, Niedermayer, 34, is still an attractive role player. His 14 goals last season were his second-highest total in the past decade.
•Manny Malhotra: He's known as a good character guy, a hardworking forward who might score 10 to 15 goals.
•Mike Grier: His tenure with the San Jose Sharks is over, and he is looking for a new home. At 34, he's still capable of being a valuable role player. Said Fee: "We are getting calls on Mike, and he's a good fit for a lot of teams. ... We are just waiting."
•Dominic Moore: The Maple Leafs tried to re-sign the role player before last year's trade deadline, but his asking price was too high. With several good role players unsigned, it's not a seller's market.
Around the rinks:
As prospective Olympians prepare to take part in their countries' orientation camps next month, the NHL Players Association is concerned about whether adequate insurance is being offered to protect against injuries. "We have recommended that our members give strong consideration to the risks involved in participating (in on-ice activities) should proper insurance coverage not be provided," said Paul Kelly, the NHLPA's executive director. "The NHLPA continues to work towards reaching an amicable resolution to this issue with the NHL, the (International Ice Hockey Federation) and their federations." ... The Atlanta Thrashers signed No. 4 overall pick Evander Kane to a three-year rookie contract. ... The Boston Bruins signed defenseman Matt Hunwick to a two-year, $2.9 million contract. Hunwick, who made $775,000 last season, had filed for arbitration.
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