The General Manager Corner: Free Agent Forwards

Mar 26, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Mike Cammalleri (13) shoot the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Anaheim Ducks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Cammalleri

The ex-Calgary winger quietly put up 26 goals in 63 games this year for one of the worst offensive teams in the league.  He’s coming off a contract that paid him an annual average salary of $6,000,000.  At 32-years old and his best days behind him, he’ll be hard-pressed to match that in annual salary, but should still find himself with a lucrative four-year deal on the open market.  He’s dealt with a slew of injuries the past few seasons, but with scoring at a premium, the diminutive Cammalleri should cash in this summer.

The General Manager Prediction: he’ll probably have to wait until the market shakes out with Vanek before really cashing in on free agency.  However after just trading one of its offensive wingers, the Colorado Avalanche could stand to add some goal scoring up front and Cammalleri would be just what the Avalanche could use.

Darkhorse team: At some point the New York Islanders are going to sign a decent free agent, so why not Cammalleri?  The team needs to spend just to hit the cap floor, and could use another winger to balance out its forward lines.