More NHL Free Agent News and Notes

Names Still Available, Coyotes Still Working, Kessel Still Unsigned

Jul 14, 2009 Heather Engel

The NHL free agent newswire is at a slowdown these days, but some general managers and players are still putting pen to paper. Others aren't having as much luck.

Nearly two weeks in, free agency is less of a frenzy and more of a calm, sporadic breeze, at best. But, while the news may not be as frequent, there is still talk and rumors generating buzz in the hockey world.

One of the top water-cooler issues around the league remains some of the players still without a team for the 2009-10 season. Up front, Alex Tanguay, Todd Bertuzzi, Rob Niedermayer, Petr Sykora, Miroslav Satan, Mike Grier and Taylor Pyatt are among those looking for work. On the back end, there’s Sergei Zubov, Mathieu Schneider, Martin Skoula, Derek Morris and Dennis Seidenberg, to name a few, and in goal Martin Biron, headlines a group that also includes Martin Gerber, Manny Legace and Kevin Weekes, among others.

ESPN recently spoke with Tanguay’s agent, Bob Sauvé, who admitted that a number of teams were interested in his client and they’ve had a few offers, but nothing has led to more serious discussions just yet. One club that is reportedly pursuing the 29-year-old winger is the Phoenix Coyotes, but the unstable ownership situation likely has him hesitant to commit.

Florida Panthers beat writer Steve Gorten writes on his Sun-Sentinel.com blog that the Cats are also in the mix for Tanguay. Gorten spoke to Sauvé, who confirmed that Florida was indeed one of the teams they had spoken to, but wouldn’t elaborate any further.

In addition to the two already mentioned, other teams with room to accommodate Tanguay include Atlanta, his old home in Colorado, Nashville, and the New York Islanders. Less likely though perhaps still possible homes include Carolina, Columbus (perhaps less so due to an abundance of wingers), Dallas (if they don’t re-sign Zubov), and New Jersey, though a few still have restricted free agents to lock up.

Ownership Struggles Not Hindering Coyotes’ Off-Season Work

With so much in limbo for the Phoenix Coyotes this summer, it would be easy for General Manager Don Maloney to be hesitant in building his 2009-10 roster. That hasn’t been the case, though, as Maloney has re-upped Petr Prucha and added forward Vernon Fiddler and goaltender Jason Labarbera.

While none of those names will create much buzz around the league, let alone in Phoenix, he is trying to ice the best lineup he can under the uncertain circumstances. In addition to his pursuit of Tanguay, Maloney is still in talks with restricted free agents Scottie Upshall and Keith Yandle. Upshall will likely be the bigger challenge of the two; acquired by the Coyotes at the trade deadline, the 25-year-old right-winger notched 13 points in 19 games with the club.

No Progress Between Bruins and Kessel

After signing center David Krejci to a new deal in early June, the Bruins set their sights on inking Phil Kessel to a new pact. Since then, however, not much has developed. Likely not helping matters is Boston’s limited dollars; as of late evening on July 13, nhlnumbers.com listed the B’s as having $5.340 million in salary cap space remaining.

Just prior to the NHL draft at the end of June, rumors were swirling that the Bruins and Maple Leafs were talking trade, with Tomas Kaberle and Kessel as the centerpieces. The deal was reportedly squashed and hasn’t been discussed since. In fact, while there is plenty of talk surrounding the possibility of Kessel being traded, his name has not been brought up in any other rumors since that reported intra-division swap.

There’s also restricted free agent defenseman Matt Hunwick for General Manager Peter Chiarelli to consider. Hunwick, who is scheduled for an arbitration hearing on July 24, had a solid half-season with the Bruins, scoring 27 points in 53 games, while recording a plus-15 differential.

Signing both players seems unlikely, barring the movement of salary from the roster. That could ultimately be decided for Chiarelli by a rival GM with dollars to spare. As time goes on and Kessel remains unsigned, speculation on him possibly being signed to an offer sheet will continue to grow.

So, as hockey news dwindles with each passing day, the buzz on the Bruins’ cap issues should keep the rumor mills churning long enough.

The copyright of the article More NHL Free Agent News and Notes in Ice Hockey is owned by Heather Engel. Permission to republish More NHL Free Agent News and Notes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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