High Stakes Poker Between Canes and Free Agents

It's just two days before free agent signing day and the Carolina Hurricanes find themselves in a bit of a pickle.   The team still has several openings to fill on their roster and most importantly, the club has yet to re-sign two of their top five scorers from last season. 

Erik Cole and Jussi Jokinen accounted for 104 points between the two of them last year but they reportedly both want to test the free agency market on Friday.  That's bad news for Carolina because there is not exactly a robust market of forwards out there and those two free agents are considered by many to be among the best available. 

Postulating, posturing, and out-right bluffing is in full effect. 

Jim Rutherford says he is ready to move on, but who will he replace Cole and Jokinen with?  Alexei Ponikarovsky?  Radim Vrbata?  There are not a ton of viable choices out there.  After the jump, we'll take a look at the some of the available free agents the Canes, as well as other teams, have to choose from.

(sorted by previous salary cap number)

If the Hurricanes truly wanted to turn themselves into annual contenders, they would bank the money they were offering to Cole, Jokinen, and LaRose and make a strong play for this superstar center who has previously mentioned Carolina as a preferred destination.   But, this is a small market with small market thinking and Richards will probably draw close to his $7.8 million again. 

(Just a crazy thought, Staal was moved to wing in the Olympics and was one of Team Canada's leading scorers.)

Gagne has been injured off and on the past couple of years, but when he's healthy he's still dangerous on the powerplay, which the Canes found out first hand this past season.  Is he worth $5.2 million per year?  No, but that won't stop someone from overpaying him an amount somewhere between three and four million.  It should not be Carolina.

At age 38, this player is getting a bit long of tooth, but he might get one more NHL contract before retirement.  Doubtful he would fit in here or even want to come here.

Selanne is age 40 but proved last season that he still has some game.  But it's probably Anaheim or else back to Finland for this scoring machine, although it might be nice to see him in Carolina for a year. 

He's worn out his welcome in Buffalo.  If the Canes can't find anyone else, here is the type of player you are looking at coming in, although it won't be for $4.5 million. 

The 36-year-old still has game, but his better days are behind him.  Not a valid substitute for either Cole or Jokinen.

After a couple of disappointing seasons in Los Angeles, another player who will be taking a pay cut in order to stay in the league. 

Ryder has had an up and down career while in Boston.  Again, if given the choice, I would choose Cole or Jokinen.

Another older player, (36) on the downward slope, but might be a decent pickup at a cheap price. 

Stillman, (37) has managed to stay out of the drama so far as he is (reportedly) deciding whether or not to retire.  Would be a decent last minute option, but again he won't be able to replace production of Cole or Jokinen.

Sturm was picked up off of waivers last year by the Caps and contributed a bit.  The oft injured forward should not be on Carolina's list.

 A couple of good years while with the Leafs but a major disappointment in "La La Land".  He would be a major reclamation project at a cheaper price if the Canes got him, not a player to count on. 

Vrbata has had a couple of up and down seasons since leaving the Canes a few years ago.  He might bring some of what Jokinen does. 

How much could Cole get on the open market?  It sounds like he wants to find out. 

Again, this player has seen better days.  Former Devils captain was moved out of town for some reason and ended up in Dallas.

Good team guy but not in Jokinen or Cole's league.

If Cole and Jokinen both fall through, maybe this player is on the phone list?

Yes, he is available.  No, he won't be coming back. 

The "Other Vinny" has had injury problems. 

Speaking of injury problems, another player to stay clear of.

A possibility at the right price. 

The Canes have reportedly always liked this player, but he won't replace Cole and Jokinen's scoring. 

This player would be a decent pickup at the right price. 

Another player who could come close to filling the gap. Would be on my list if Cole and/or Jokinen are gone. 

Once highly regarded top 10 draft pick is now an enigma.  Too risky for Carolina. 

Probably will retire this year.

Stayed a year too long.

A slim possibility if all other options fail.

Will be hard-pressed to match that contract. 

Previous 30 goal scorer made the same money as LaRose the past two years and deserves much more now.   Could get a huge payday.

In review

There are not very many players listed above who make you want to jump and shout.  Scottie Upshall would be on my short list of forwards to contact, but there are more players closer to retirement in that group than not. 

There are also a few interesting RFA's who were not qualified, but none are experienced enough to be counted on to consistently replace Jokinen and Cole's scoring.

Remember my article from a couple of weeks ago asking readers to make a choice between Cole and Jokinen?  It might just come down to that for Rutherford.  If neither of these players are re-signed by Friday morning, look for the Canes to step up and make a major play to keep at least one of them.  They simply can not afford to let both players go, for a number of reasons.