Even with the names below, the best idea I believe for the Blueshirts is to stay out of the free agent insanity and let the kids play. Mercenaries, by and large, have not worked too well for this franchise - just look at some of the names included in the poll on the right. There are kids coming up, Sather should not block their development with hired guns. The one exception being Justin Schultz, as he is a prospect himself; he is not included on the list below of UFAs as he has no NHL experience. They REALLY should sign him.
Guys I Want On The Rangers
Name Position/Age/2011-12 Salary - Cause
Adam Burish C DAL 29 $1,150,000 - Not quite Steve Ott but still a quality, defensively conscientious pest.
Shane Doan R PHO 35 $4,550,000 - If Coyotes leave Phoenix he may leave the Coyotes; hell yes. He takes losing personally.
Paul Gaustad C NAS 30 $2,300,000 - Imagine Boyle, but good at things like faceoffs and fighting and remaining consistent.Jiri Hudler L DET 28 $2,875,000 - Great secondary scoring as long as the rate is reasonable.
Jaromir Jagr R PHI 40 $3,300,000 - Still scoring after all these years so as long as he isn't captain I'm ok with it,
Daymond Langkow C PHO 35 $4,500,000 - At a pay cut he could help balance out the lines a bit with solid, simple play.
Travis Moen L MTL 30 $1,500,000 - Blood n' guts team guy with a Cup to his credit.
Dominic Moore C SAN 31 $1,100,000 - Don't forget aboot it, the former Ranger is capable.
Jed Ortmeyer R MIN 33 $585,000 - It's Jed, I mean, c'mon! Jed!
Zach Parise L NJD 27 $6,000,000 - He's kinda good. I guess. Maybe.
Taylor Pyatt L PHO 30 $1,000,000 - Goes to the front of the net, the Rangers need that.
Steve Sullivan L PIT 37 $1,500,000 - Heart and soul and a little bit of scoring.
Ryan Suter D NAS 27 $3,500,000 - There's a reason why there will be a bidding war for this blueliner.
Ray Whitney L PHO 40 $3,000,000 - Worship the Wizard.
Guys I Wouldn't Mind On The Rangers
Name Position/Age/2011-12 Salary - Cause
Bryan Allen D CAR 31 $2,900,000 - Decent shutdown guy blocks shots and kills penalties.
Sheldon Brookbank D ANA 31 $750,000 - Gritty, solid citizen.
Ryan Carter C NJD 28 $750,000 - If you can't beat him (or beat him up) ...Brett Clark D TBL 35 $1,500,000 - Veteran shot blocker.
Jason Garrison D FLA 27 $675,000 - First half was great, will want too much moolah.
Hal Gill D NAS 37 $2,250,000 - Slow but tough.
Jochen Hecht C BUF 35 $3,525,000 - Quite capable when healthy.
Kristian Huselius L CLB 33 $4,750,000 - Could be Vinny Prospal 2.0 if he can avoid fluke injuries.
Zenon Konopka C OTT 31 $700,000 - Fights, wins faceoffs. Also takes bad penalties though.
Michael Leighton G PHI 31 $1,550,000 - Helped the Flyers get to the Cup Final before being dumped.
Antero Niittymaki G SAN 32 $2,000,000 - Hank's rival in Turin; might be seeking redemption as he's sucked since.
Sean O'Donnell D CHI 40 $850,000 - Plenty of experience but quite slow.
George Parros R ANA 32 $875,000 - Can you imagine that mustache in NY??!?
Dustin Penner L LAK 29 $4,250,000 - After that playoff performance, who can turn down pancakes?
Bryce Salvador D NJD 36 $2,900,000 - As with Carter, if you can't beat him ...
Sheldon Souray D DAL 35 $1,650,000 - That slap shot, wow. But besides that, what's left?
Lee Stempniak R CGY 29 $1,900,000 - Average, two-way winger. Meh.
Guys I Don't Want On The Rangers
Name Position/Age/2011-12 Salary - Cause
Arron Asham R PIT 34 $775,000 - Man do I hate this guy.
Adrian Aucoin D PHO 38 $2,000,000 - Oooold.
Alex Auld G OTT 31 $1,000,000 - Auuuld.
Jason Blake L ANA 38 $4,000,000 - Former Islander scum.
Brad Boyes R BUF 30 $4,000,000 - Was never worth that money, still isn't.
Andrew Brunette L CHI 38 $2,000,000 - Oooold and sloooooow.
Matt Carle D PHI 27 $3,437,500 - Will want too much money.
Scott Clemmensen G FLA 34 $1,200,000 - Capable but cheaper options are available.
Ty Conklin G DET 36 $750,000 - Conk can't block a beachball anymore.
Joe Corvo D BOS 35 $2,250,000 - Uh Oh Corvo, no.Radek Dvorak R DAL 35 $1,500,000 - Oooold.
Dan Ellis G ANA 32 $1,500,000 - Don't need his problems.
Kurtis Foster D MIN 30 $1,800,000 - Not the same since the broken leg.
Nicklas Hagman L ANA 32 $3,000,000 - Waaay too much money for waaay too little.
Scott Hannan D CGY 33 $1,000,000 - Far past his prime.
Mike Knuble R WAS 39 $2,000,000 - Sadly far past his prime.
Andrei Kostitsyn R NAS 27 $3,250,000 - An enigmatic Russian scorer? Why I never.
Filip Kuba D OTT 35 $3,700,000 - Older, slower, probably will stay in Ottawa. Or should.
Pavel Kubina D PHI 35 $3,850,000 - Soft Czech defenseman, been there/done that.
Sami Lepisto D CHI 27 $750,000 - Not much more than a seventh defender.
Torrey Mitchell C SAN 27 $1,366,667 - Low-line grinder.
Scott Nichol C STL 37 $700,000 - Old low-line grinder.
Cory Sarich D CGY 33 $3,600,000 - Play has dropped off dramatically.
Alex Semin R WAS 28 $6,700,000 - Heartless, gutless, enigmatic.
Jaro Spacek D CAR 38 $3,833,333 - Injury-prone and old.
Brett Sutter L CAR 25 $525,000 - Darryl's kid hasn't made the leap yet.
Colin White D SAN 34 $1,000,000 - Remember when he was a Devil? Yeah, no.
Dennis Wideman D WAS 29 $3,937,500 - Too expensive for a 3-4 defenseman.
Not-So-Free Agents of 2012: A Closer Look at the Contracts That Shaped the NHL
The summer of 2012 was a highly anticipated period for NHL fans and players alike, as it marked the beginning of free agency. It was a time when teams vied for the services of coveted players, and players sought to secure lucrative contracts. However, not all free agent signings from that year turned out as expected. In this article, we will delve into the landscape of NHL free agency in 2012, explore some high-profile contracts that raised eyebrows, and address frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the signings that defined that offseason.
Section 1: The NHL Free Agency Frenzy of 2012
The summer of 2012 was notable for several reasons:
CBA Uncertainty: The NHL was coming off a lockout-shortened season, and the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was set to expire in September 2012, adding an element of uncertainty to free agency.
High-Profile Names: The free agent market featured some marquee players, including forwards like Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, who generated significant interest.
Impact on Teams: Teams were eager to bolster their rosters with key additions, setting the stage for intense negotiations.
Section 2: The Surprising Signings
Several free agent contracts signed in 2012 raised eyebrows and garnered attention for various reasons:
Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to Minnesota Wild:
Contract Details: Both players signed identical 13-year, $98 million contracts with the Minnesota Wild.
The Surprise Factor: The length and structure of these contracts were unprecedented and sparked debates about the viability of such long-term deals.
Shea Weber's Offer Sheet:
Contract Details: Shea Weber, a star defenseman, signed a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Surprise Factor: The sheer size of Weber's contract and the bold move by the Flyers to sign him to an offer sheet from the Nashville Predators raised eyebrows.
Alexander Semin to Carolina Hurricanes:
Contract Details: Alexander Semin signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Surprise Factor: Semin, known for his offensive prowess but criticized for inconsistency, received a substantial one-year deal with Carolina.
Section 3: Impact and Outcomes
The signings of 2012 had various impacts on the players, teams, and the league:
Long-Term Commitments: The Parise and Suter signings demonstrated a willingness by the Minnesota Wild to make long-term commitments to build a competitive team.
Salary Cap Challenges: Some contracts, like Weber's offer sheet, posed significant salary cap challenges for teams, affecting their ability to make additional moves.
Player Performances: The performance of players who signed notable contracts varied, with some exceeding expectations, while others faced scrutiny for underperforming.
Section 4: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - The 2012 Free Agency Class
Let's address some common questions related to the free agent signings of 2012:
Why were the Parise and Suter contracts considered surprising?
The length and value of their contracts were considered unprecedented and raised concerns about long-term viability.
Did these signings influence the NHL's approach to contracts in subsequent years?
Yes, these contracts, along with others from that summer, played a role in discussions during the 2012 CBA negotiations and led to changes in contract length and structure.
How did these contracts impact the performance of the players and the teams involved?
Performance varied, with some players living up to their contracts, while others faced challenges meeting expectations, impacting their teams in different ways.
Section 5: Lessons from 2012
The free agency frenzy of 2012 serves as a reminder of the complexities and risks associated with player contracts in professional sports:
Contract Length: The length of contracts can significantly impact a team's flexibility and ability to manage salary cap constraints.
Player Expectations: High-profile signings come with high expectations, and the pressure to perform at a level commensurate with the contract can be immense.
League Dynamics: Free agency can reshape the dynamics of the entire league, affecting team competitiveness and long-term planning.
The free agent signings of 2012 remain a compelling chapter in NHL history, featuring contracts that were both groundbreaking and scrutinized. While some players and teams reaped the rewards of these signings, others faced challenges and criticism. The offseason of 2012 serves as a valuable lesson in the intricacies of player contracts, the impact of salary cap constraints, and the unpredictability of player performance. As the NHL continues to evolve, the contracts of 2012 remain a reference point for discussions surrounding player compensation and team-building strategies.
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