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Gentlemen, start your cell phones!
That will be the battle cry for many of the NHL's general managers when the clock strikes midnight on Monday, July 1. To the second, that's when league's free agents hit the open market.
Monster names like Calgary's Jarome Iginla, Montreal's Jose Theodore and Anaheim's Paul Kariya float at the top of the restricted (Group II) free-agent pool. But, because teams have the right to match any offer received by one of their restricted free agents -- or receive up to five first-round picks from the offering team -- the players in that pool likely won't need any change of address forms.
However, those chains won't bind those players lucky enough to find themselves in the unrestricted pool. Those players -- like New Jersey's Bobby Holik, Boston's Bill Guerin and Chicago's Tony Amonte -- will move from one team to another with a simple signature on a multi-million dollar contract.
Last summer, Pierre Turgeon went from St. Louis to Dallas. Luc Robitaille moved from Los Angeles to Detroit. And, Martin Lapointe jumped from Detroit to Boston. They were just three of the many unrestricted free agents who needed to sell their homes and call the moving company in early July.
Again this year, fans can expect much movement among the unrestricted (or Group III, V and VI) free agents. With that in mind, here's a look at the top UFAs by position (goalies, forwards, and defensemen). Remember, the player's current team holds exclusive negotiating rights with the player until the midnight deadline. After that, it's everybody in the pool.
Goalies
Curtis Joseph, Toronto Maple Leafs: When Dominik Hasek announced his retirement, Joseph and agent Don Meehan probably popped a bottle of Champagne. Hasek's departure gave Joseph (and several of the other goalies on the market) more leverage in contract negotiations. It's the simple economic principle of supply and demand. With Hasek gone, there's a greater demand. CuJo will get better offers from the Leafs and Rangers, but, if he wants to win a Stanley Cup, he'd be wise to talk to Wings GM Ken Holland.
Mike Richter, New York Rangers: For some reason, Glen Sather hasn't been a big fan of Richter since his arrival as Rangers GM in the spring of 2000. The only legitimate knock on Richter has been his ability to stay healthy. He's failed to complete each of the last three seasons due to various injuries. Of course, playing behind the defensively challenged Rangers, it would be hard for any goalie to stay healthy.
At the Olympics, when standing behind a strong U.S. team, Richter proved he can still get the job done. Because he'll be a bit cheaper than Joseph, Richter might be a better fit in Hockeytown. If he doesn't go there, he'll should get phone calls from the Leafs, Bruins, Flyers and the Rangers.
Ed Belfour, Dallas Stars: The Stars told Belfour months ago that they didn't plan on re-signing him. So, other interested suitors have requested and been granted permission by the Stars to speak to Belfour. Apparently, the Red Wings see Belfour as a cheaper alternative to Joseph in replacing Hasek. Also, the Leafs are interested in the Eagle if Joseph bolts for greener pastures.
But, as everyone knows, cheaper doesn't mean better. Belfour struggled throughout the 2001-02 season. At age 37, you wonder if he can regain the form that helped him to back-to-back Cup final appearances in 1999 and 2000.
Byron Dafoe, Boston Bruins: The youngest of the top unrestricted goalies, Dafoe didn't help himself with a subpar playoff performance in the Bruins' first-round upset loss to the Canadiens. In fact, he might have lost millions in potential earnings. The Leafs see him as another Plan B candidate (with Belfour) if Joseph can't be retained. Ironically, he could still end up in Boston after both he and the club test the market.
Tom Barrasso, Toronto Maple Leafs: After sitting out a season, Barrasso enjoyed a renaissance with the Hurricanes before a late-season trade to the Leafs. His fine play earned him a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Barrasso won't be the first goalie signed once the doors open for business, but he could help the right club. And, he'll be a lot less expensive then some of his peers.
Forwards
Bobby Holik, New Jersey Devils: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello really blew it with Holik. The usually savvy manager could have inked Holik's name to a long-term contract two years ago. Instead, he allowed his rugged center to enter into a nasty arbitration hearing. Now, he'll likely lose one of the most unique players in the game.
Holik is big, tough and is rarely injured. He can score goals and shut down an opponent's top player. And, he always comes to play, especially in the playoffs. Considering the best way to build a team is with two top centers, four solid defensemen and goaltender, you realize that Holik is the most valuable forward on the market.
Holik will attract several offers. The Rangers, Flyers, Red Wings, Stars, Blues and Thrashers are among the teams expected to call Holik. And, the Devils say they'll make an effort to keep him. Holik says that winning will be an important factor in any decision he makes. In the end, he might just be a perfect fit in Philadelphia.
Bill Guerin, Boston Bruins: After putting up back-to-back 40-goal seasons, Guerin has earned his place among the game's top power forwards. The Bruins did not want to pay the $8-10 million it will take to sign him. But, the Stars, Rangers, Red Wings and Blues seem to be very interested.
Guerin would be a great fit in Dallas, where he could play alongside U.S. Olympic teammate Mike Modano. Stars owner Tom Hicks won't be outbid for Guerin. If he goes somewhere else, it will be for less money than he'll be offered in Big D.
Teemu Selanne, San Jose Sharks: If Selanne wants to see his name on the Stanley Cup, he might want to stay with the Sharks, who seem ready to take a major run at the big trophy in 2002-03.
Selanne, whose goal totals have been in slow decline, impressed many pro scouts with his play against the Avs in the conference semifinals. The Sharks would like to keep him. But, if he doesn't re-sign before the deadline, they might opt to ink ex-Rangers right wing Theo Fleury. The club acquired Fleury's rights from the Rangers, who declined to exercise their $7 million option on the troubled sniper.
Tony Amonte, Chicago Blackhawks: Like Selanne, Amonte's goal-scoring numbers have been coming back to earth. Last year, he scored just 26 goals. Of course, some will say he was distracted by his contract status. The Blackhawks will not re-sign their popular right wing. The Stars and Islanders seem to be the most interested in Amonte. The Isles would love to place Amonte alongside top pivot Alexei Yashin.
Robert Lang, Pittsburgh Penguins: If the Pens could afford to keep him, they would do so. Always an offensive talent, Lang's two-way game has improved steadily during the past several seasons. The Blues, who don't have many natural centers, could use Lang. But, then again, so could several contending clubs. He'll be a less expensive alternative to the big name forwards like Guerin or Amonte.
Adam Oates, Philadelphia Flyers: Like old man river, Oates just keeps rolling on. The veteran is still among the top playmakers in the league. While he's no longer a No. 1 pivot, Oates would fit as a good second center. If Doug Gilmour opts to retire, Oates could end up in Montreal.
Some other lower-budget options among this summer's crop of forwards are: Vancouver's Andrew Cassels, St. Louis' Scott Young, Dallas' Randy McKay, Carolina's Martin Gelinas and Toronto's Tie Domi.
Defensemen
Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings: The 40-year-old Norris Trophy runner-up is coming off a sensational season. He led the league in regular-season and playoff plus-minus rating and was a huge part of the Wings' Stanley Cup run. He keeps himself in great shape and could conceivably compete in the league into his mid-40s. Chelios would like to stay in Detroit, but wants more than a one-year deal. His competitive nature would help several clubs, especially an underachieving bunch like the Rangers. But, both he and the Wings would be foolish to sever their current relationship.
Darius Kasparaitis, Colorado Avalanche: He's reportedly gained unrestricted status with the league withdrawing its petition in the case. Kasparaitis would like to return to Long Island, where he started his career with the Islanders before being traded to the Penguins. And, the Isles -- who aren't very deep on defense (especially with the injury-prone Kenny Jonsson) -- could use him.
After those two defenseman, there are a host of veterans who could help the right club. The list includes Carolina's Bret Hedican, Los Angeles' Philippe Boucher, Calgary's Igor Kravchuk, Vancouver's Scott Lachance, Detroit's Jiri Slegr, Buffalo's Richard Smehlik, San Jose's Gary Suter and Philadelphia's Luke Richardson.
With all these players on the open market, the GMs better make sure to have a couple of cell phones charged and ready to go when the clock strikes midnight and the bidding begins. If it's anything like last year, the players and the dollars should be flying at a dizzying pace.
E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.
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