Williams, Green lead UFA’s Into Contract Years

The business of hockey certainly has been better since the last CBA was negotiated.  The salary cap seems to rise year over year and there are a list of players looking to cash in when their number gets called.  And while not every contract will shatter records there are players every year that get paid deals that make you reach for the Advil and lie down to try and process them.  How does that David Clarkson deal taste a year in, Leaf fans?

At first glance this years crop lacks the sexy names like Thomas Vanek and Ryan Miller, there is certainly talent that will be available in the coming offseason if not sooner.  Below are five players that I think could see significant raises over their current salaries and why.  I purposely stayed away from players over 35 and restricted free agents.  The players below are unrestricted as of the close of this season, and I think all five have a chance to jump teams and cash in big time in the transition.

All salary figures can be found on capgeek.com and highlights from scouting reports were taken from The Hockey News.

1) Marc Staal – D, New York Rangers.  At 27 years old the rearguard and assistant captain is entering the last year of a five year, $19.875 million dollar deal and has been one of the anchors of the blue line on Broadway.  At 6’4” and over 200 pounds he is a big defensemen that skates very well for his size and is very smart on the ice.  His movement and long reach when combined with his size make him an attractive option for teams looking to land a top four defensemen without having to give up assets.  The Rangers certainly would want to keep him but enter this season $1.3 million over the cap.  And having to deal with other pending UFA’s Martin St. Louis and Mats Zuccarello (over $9 million combined), GM Glen Sather has some decisions to make.

2) Mike Green – D, Washington Capitals.  In a league where it is increasingly hard to score goals from outside of four feet from the crease, Green could be a revelation.  Green is among the most offensively gifted defensemen in the league with an excellent shot and great power play captain.  His 2009-10 was absurd as he totaled 73 points in 68 games, including 31 goals.  But that was several years and injuries ago.  On top of the frequent visits to the trainer the Caps have undergone an identity crisis from the high flying, fun and gun offense to a more defensive system.  New head coach Barry Trotz has a solid defensive mind and will continue that commitment in his own end but he has to try and unleash Green as he can be a difference maker.  If he can get anywhere near his 2009-10 totals and stay healthy, his salary of just over $6 million is bound to wind up in Zdeno Chara territory.

3) Jiri Tlusty – F, Carolina Hurricanes.  Tlusty has been quietly productive scoring 16 goals on a terrible team last year.  He also lodged 23 in 48 games coming out of the most recent lockout.  That type of production on the second or third line can help push a team toward a division title or advancing one round further come playoff time.  At $2.95 million this year there is plenty of room for Tlusty to enjoy a pay raise if he can crack the 20 goal plateau again.  Carolina has about the same amount of cap space as the GDP of Puerto Rico so they could certainly make the offer if he fits into their rebuilding plans.  But if he is producing I don’t see him finishing the year in a Canes sweater – an extra scorer for a Cup run will pull quite the haul at the trade deadline.  Production after that could earn Tlusty a nice raise.

4) Curtis Glencross – F, Calgary Flames.  Glencross is among the hardest workers in the league and his results speak for themselves, averaging nearly 18 goals per year for the last 6 years.  His speed and physicality help make up for a lack of raw skill and allow him to be productive at the highest level.  His health will be a concern coming into this year with only 38 games played, but putting up 24 points in that span is still impressive.  At $2.5 million this year that’s pretty solid production.  As with Green, health will be a concern.  But playing close to a full 82 and putting up around 25 goals should get Glencross a ticket out of Calgary and on to a more competitive team should he want it.  If he prefers to stay, Calgary has more than enough cap space to accommodate him.

5) Justin Williams – F, Los Angeles Kings.  If you’re favorite team has played against a squad with Williams on it and it went to Game Seven, you cried at the end of that game because your team lost and Williams was probably the dream killer.  His seven Game Seven goals and fourteen total points are both league records (goals are tied with Glenn Anderson).  The reigning Conn Smythe winner and owner of three Stanley Cup rings, Williams has ice water running through his veins when it matters most.  At 33 this may be his last big chance to hit the open market hard and realize an increase from his current $3.65 million dollar salary.  If the Kings want to keep the playoff savant, having more than $450K in cap space this year isn’t the best starting point.

While the first puck hasn’t dropped and it will be tough to tell where these players will even end this season, I expect Williams and Glencross to resign with their current teams.  I think the Rangers will attempt to resign Marc Staal but they will need to make a move or two in order to get that done.  I think Tlusty and Green are as good as gone as their respective teams will look to retool and rebuild in different directions.  I expect both of those players moved at the deadline.