The only decent UFAs on the market, in my opinion, are Brian Campbell,, JM Liles, Mark Streit, Mattias Norstrom, Brooks Orpik, Steve Montador and Jeff Finger, more or less in that order.
G A PTS +/- 2007-08 Salary
8 54 62 +8 Campbell $1.75
6 26 32 +2 Liles $1.4
13 49 62 -6 Streit $600
2 11 13 +3 Norstrom $4.25
1 10 11 +11 Orpik $1.075
8 15 23 +1 Montador $800
8 11 19 +12 Finger $475
Brian Campbell (29)
Assets- Is an extremely gifted offensive talent. Has plenty of creativity and intelligence with the puck. Owns excellent mobility.
Flaws- Can get easily knocked off the puck at the NHL level. Needs to play a tighter game in the defensive zone, so as to avoid being labeled a specialist.
Career potential – Power play quarterback.
Liles (27)
Assets – Has plenty of offensive acumen. Isn’t afraid of the rough going. Plays with supreme confidence when in possession of the puck.
Flaws – His smallish frame will always be an issue at the NHL level. Needs to prove he can raise his level of play with more ice time.
Career potential – Power play quarterback.
Streit (30)
Assets – Moves the puck swiftly up the ice. Is capable of playing the point on the power play. Owns plenty of international experience.
Flaws – Lacks size for the blueline position at the NHL level. Must play with more confidence in the defensive zone. Â
Career potential – Power play specialist
Montador (28)
Assets – Makes the most of his ability and has decent offensive skills. Shoots the puck with aplomb and can also deliver big hits.
Flaws – Must make quicker decisions in order to play a regular role in the NHL. Is prone to making mistakes with the puck.
Career potential – No. 6 or 7 defenseman
Finger (28)
Assests – Plays a steady game from the back end and usually limits his mistakes. Can log plenty of ice time and is a solid team-first player.
Flaws – Has never put up great offensive numbers and probably never will. Isn’t a physical player, despite his 6-1, 205-pound frame.Career potential – Top six defenseman.
Norstrom (36)
Assets – Knows his role as a stay-at-home defender and takes care of business in his own end first and foremost. Loves a rough-and-tumble game. Is a fabulous hitter and solid leader.
Flaws – Is not offensively skilled at all. Has virtually no point shot to speak of. May struggle at times against the speedier forwards in the league. Career potential – Defensive defenseman.
Orpik (27)
Assets – Has excellent defensive skills and plays a punishing brand of hockey. Is good at keeping the game simple. Shows leadership ability at a young age.
Flaws – Lacks front-end offensive ability. Needs to continue to adjust to the speed of the pro game. Must learn when to pick his spots when laying on the body.
Career potential – Top four defenseman.
Given the above information and assuming that we do not re-sign Malik, Rozsival, Strudwick and Mara, were I Sather, I would:
a) make my run at Campbel or Liles. Streit my come cheaper but over the other two that would be the only upside I can see. Puckmoving skill is the issue. I would gladly sacrifice size and snarl for a better powerplay; and
b) replace Malik and Mara with a player who will take the body and clear the crease. If Norstrom would come in for $3 million/1 year/options, I would sign him in a heartbeat. Afterall, he’s 36 and shouldn’t expect to be for signed longer or more. Orpik is young and tough but I wouldn’t sign him to the long contract with the money he would be looking for, especially if the Penguins (shudder) win the Cup. I would pick up Montador or Finger on the cheap as back fill until our youth, Sauer and Sanguinetti are ready.
Two wild card defensemen that are UFA’s on July 1 that Sather might also consider are Brett Hedican and Max Kondreitiev.
Hedican made $2.4 last season and would come in cheap. He’s 37 but his numbers weren’t bad – 2 15 17 +17. He’d be light yeas better then Malik.
I always liked Max when he was here. I think he’d fit back in either with the Rangers or in Hartford. He’d sign for minimum, too. I’d give him a second chance.Â
The only player on my RFA wish list in Andrej Mezaros. Hey, I can dream, can’t I?
Statistics and player evaluations obtained from Sportsnet.ca
Posted under New York Rangers
This post was written by m hurley on May 24, 2008
