The Hockey News: Ken Campbell's blog: THN.com Blog: Pending UFAs yet to be signed

THN.com Blog: Pending UFAs yet to be signed

Marian Hossa has been at the center of trade speculations all season.

Ken Campbell
2008-01-08 13:07:36

With the signing of Mike Ribeiro by the Dallas Stars, you can scratch another name off the list of impact forwards who will be available July 1. That list is growing smaller and less impressive by the day, which means the ones who will be available will get better deals because of the laws of supply and demand.

Here are the top forwards who will be available July 1, provided they don't sign with their teams before then.

Kristian Huselius, Calgary: The hottest player in the NHL since early December, Huselius is incredibly talented with the puck. Jarome Iginla deserves some of the credit here, but Huselius has been outstanding on his own.

Marian Hossa, Atlanta: A prime candidate to be dealt before the trade deadline if the Thrashers can't re-sign him.

Mats Sundin, Toronto: The top point scorer among potential UFAs so far this season. He'll either re-sign long-term with the Leafs or be dealt at the deadline.

Daymond Langkow, Calgary: Another solid Flames contributor and a good choice for a team looking for a second-line center who can sometimes play on the first line.

Related Links

Rumor Roundup: UFAs who could move

Vaclav Prospal, Tampa Bay: Getting his points, but is suspect defensively.

Radim Vrbata, Phoenix: The Coyotes want to re-sign him and he seems to have found a home in the desert.

Markus Naslund, Vancouver: On pace for just 68 points this season and his career is clearly in decline.

Cory Stillman, Carolina: Aside from last year when he was injured, Stillman has been a regular point-per-game producer for the past three seasons.

Mike Comrie, N.Y. Islanders: Gambled on a one-year deal with the Islanders and it might pay off for him.

Brian Rolston, Minnesota: Remains one of the most reliable two-way players in the NHL.

Brendan Shanahan, Rangers: It's hard to believe he'd sign with anyone but the Rangers at this point.

J.P. Dumont, Nashville: Has proven to be a reliable player who can score somewhere in the 60-point range.

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COMMENTS (6)

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Seth Posted
(2009-04-30 05:58:23)

It would be great for the pens to grab ahold of Hossa. Realistically though it probably won't happen due to the cap space they will need to retain the young talent

Matthew Carulli Posted
(2009-04-30 05:58:23)

The Pens can get Hossa as a rental if they want, since they have plenty of cap space this year. He'll just stick around for this year and eat up a few million for a playoff run. They probably won't resign him though, for the reasons you mentioned. But Shero isn't that aggressive, so I see them getting a guy like JP Dumont or Michael Ryder, only if it doesn't cost them too much of their future.

John Posted
(2009-04-30 05:58:20)

The Caps need to go after Hossa. It looks like Nylander may be chronically hurt, even though he'll keep playing. Hossa is a dynamic center, who can also play wing, I think would be able to keep up with Ovechkin. Ovechkin - Backstrom - Hossa: now that's a potential line i'd like to see. but I can't honestly imagine it'll happen

Jordan Posted
(2009-04-30 05:58:20)

There is no way Huselius will make it to free agency. Calgary must - and will - resign him.

Greg Pinard Posted
(2009-04-30 05:58:19)

Although it may pain Leaf fans, its time to move Sundin now while he still has some trading value. Let Sundin play for a real contender, hes done his time in a losing franchise.

Brian Posted
(2009-04-30 05:58:18)

Please Sutter... sign huselius NOW! Let Langkow go if you must..if you can only sign one of the two...PLEASE pick the fancy, dangling, skilled Huselius over Langkow. Langkow is good, but his style of gritty-go-to-the-net play can be (hopefully) done by others... skill and moves are harder to come by and for that reason alone, Huselius should be the next Flames player signed long-term. The man has skill and has displayed it constantly in the Flaming C for these past two seasons...I for one, would like to see him stay in Calgary.