2012 potential UFA list a preview of possible rentals for Bruins
There’s no telling what the Collective Bargaining Agreement that expires after this season will look like come next summer or fall.
So when it comes to determining what free agents the Bruins might be interested in during the summer of 2012, or what free agents they might lose, it’s virtually impossible.
Nonetheless, it’s worth looking at the list of pending UFAs to see who might be able to help the Bruins or any other contender during the 2011-12 season. Kevin Allen of USA Today compiled his list of top 10 UFAs for next summer, and there are a couple intriguing names worthy as potential “rental player” targets when the stretch run arrives.
Ryan Suter of Nashville tops Allen’s list. It’s unlikely the Predators will be looking to part with their stud No. 2 defenseman until they know what the new CBA will look like. There are some other younger, upper-talent-type players like Ales Hemsky and Alexander Semin on the list.
The name that intrigues me the most sits at No. 9 on Allen’s list — Phoenix right winger Shane Doan. Doan is a lifelong veteran of the Jets/Coyotes franchise and calls the shots on whether he’s dealt. Nonetheless, this is the offseason — which is the time to dream and project.
Imagine the Bruins are near the top of the Eastern Conference come the 2012 trade deadline, but they have some off nights and don’t always show that toughness they need to succeed. Off the ice, the effects of Mark Recchi’s retirement are evident. Some players are even a little complacent coming off the glory of last June and a short offseason.
Out West, Phoenix is a long shot to make the playoffs in the post-Ilya Bryzgalov era (not to mention the Coyotes’ ownership situations remains murky at best). Doan’s name will certainly come up in every rumor out there unless he signs an extension.
Doan will be 35 this October, so his chances at winning the Stanley Cup are dwindling. What better combination could there be than a veteran captain with desperation to win the Cup joining the defending champions, who might be feeling some effects of the “Cup hangover”? Doan might have to be coaxed a little bit to move East, but if the Coyotes are convinced that moving Doan is best for them, Boston as a two- to three-month temporary home would have to be an attractive location (as opposed to maybe four or five years ago). With Marc Savard’s cap space and some other creative maneuvering, the Bruins could make the deal happen and it wouldn’t have an impact on their 2012-13 plans.
It’s all a dream now. We’re still five weeks from training camp, never mind how far we are from the 2012 trade deadline. However, it’s never too early to look ahead, especially on a gloomy summer Sunday morning.
Seriously, if I hear Rolston’s name one more time on this page. C’mon. He doesn’t have the legs anymore and without speed he’s all but useless. I also don’t want anything to do with even 2 months of that ridiculous salary either. If you’re considering Rolston why not see what Glen Murray or Jason Allison are up to these days?! Maybe we should add them to the mix…
We are in pretty good shape. Rolston ok. Doan ok. Nobody is rocking my world though, and I don’t see needs where we don’t have a possible in house solution. We are in great cap/roster position.
I agree Dave I think McPhee will get some good prospects and an NHL ready player.
George
I didn’t want to see the Bruins depart with Mark Stuart either. Fortunately, that was about the time that Boychuk’s game improved.
I have to say I was nervous about trading for Peverly and Kelly because they both had another year left on their contract. Seeing how they played in the playoffs makes me think PC should get players he thinks will fit the team regardless if they are in a contract year or not.
agreed. good call.
I wouldn’t want Hemsky or Semin. Semin doesn’t check and Hemsky points usually come when they 2-3 goals down. If you sign someone, he has to have the characteristics of a Bruin. The Kaberle rental should be a lesson to us all. Ryan Suter is a different matter. Our defence is aging and his play in the playoffs was outstanding. Otherwise, stick with the players we have drafted. Our scouts have done a good job for the most part. even in later rounds.
Also Sandog,
Gotta remember, Semin has signed how many 1 yr contracts in a row now? It always seems like he’s on his way out, but it can be really hard to tell.
It wouldn’t take a whole lot of maneuvering to get under the cap this year, given we are something like $7million under the cap and will be about $2million under after Caron, Marchand, and Kampfer’s cap hits are added to this total. We’d need to move a roster player in any trade or set of trades we were to make. The real question is if we would be willing to pay the price in assets.
If McPhee were going to keep Semin he would’ve signed him to a long term deal by now. The Capitals will once again be a 100 point team or close to it. If Phoenix is out of the race (will be) Washington is a perfect fit for Doan. Then Semin would be that young gun who would be the center piece when they Yotes open in Quebec around 2014.
For the Bruins at the deadline remember the name Rolston, he’s a UFA at the end of the year, if the terrible PP continues plus Brian could help on the PK if the Bruins have a rash of injuries. Hemsky is 28 , a good, quick sniper but would cost the Bruins some prospects and at least a #1.