Pre-Article Note : I still don't know everyone's plans for UFA

 

Mikko Koivu (Carolina) - Koivu is coming off of a stellar season all around. He has very good rates straight across the board. He is aging and will be conceding ice time to younger players in the coming years. With that said, he should maintain similar ratings for another year or two. Yet another 1-2 year deal candidate, I expect Koivu to exceed 10 mil per season.

 

My picks to land him: Carolina, Toronto, Pittsburgh

 

Corey Crawford (Islanders) - Big ticket FA here... again. Crawford had another solid year in Chicago and is one of the very best UFA goalies again this year. There will be numerous bidders, and for that reason, it'll be another one year deal. Expect 15 million plus, as well.

 

My picks to land him: Pittsburgh, Islanders, Florida

 

Patrick Eaves (Los Angeles) - Yes. A one year deal guy, again. Eaves is coming off a monsterous year, and is a prime candidate for a ratings decline next season. With that said, 88 SC. Can't argue that. Expect 9 million per or in that area.

 

My picks to land him: Toronto, Colorado, Nashville

 

Brandon Sutter (Toronto) - Not up there with the top guys, but a really solid player. Multi-position guy who has an extremely solid DF rating. He may slip through a little cheaper than he should; I'm guessing in the 7 mil range.

 

My picks to land him: Toronto, Carolina, Edmonton

 

Brian Elliott (Florida) - He's coming off a brutal year. But his rates are OK. I'm guessing there's still a decent market for him. It'll be a one year deal in the 6 million range. The question is who will land him.

 

My picks to land him: Carolina, Pittsburgh, Dallas

 

Jason Spezza (Pittsburgh) - Yet another, in a long list of top notch UFA forwards. With that said, he'll still get paid. Everyone knows the player, the consistency, and so forth. It'll be a 1 year deal worth 11 million.

 

My picks to land him: Toronto, Pittsburgh, Nashville

 

Mark Giordano (Pittsburgh) - One of the best UFA D available. Giordano is getting older, but has a few really good years left in him. 66 PA, 92 DF, lots to like there. He'll get a monster pay day, and it may be for a 2 or 3 year deal. He'll exceed 14 million yearly.

 

My picks to land him: Colorado, Washington, Los Angeles

 

Dustin Byfuglien (Detroit) - Byfuglien carries a 74 PA, 85 DF rating heading into another year of being NHL Winnipeg's best D-man. The bidding on Byfuglien will be pretty stupid, and thus it'll be a one year deal worth around 15 million.

 

My picks to land him: Detroit, Colorado, Tampa Bay

 

Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit) - Zetterberg had another big year in NHL Detroit, and will get paid as such. He's getting way up there in age, so it'll be a one year deal. Price range? 9-12 million.

 

My picks to land him: Toronto, Anaheim, Florida

 

Ryan Getzlaf (Detroit) - Getzy had a massive year in Anaheim, and freshly in everyone's mind, an even better playoffs. The market will be there for him, both for short and long term deals. His salary will hover around 11 million in all likelyhood.

 

My picks to land him: Anaheim, Colorado, Toronto

 

More to come...