Top 5 free agent bargains
PostedCOLON Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:26 am
Kurtis Foster: The 42 points he accrued in 71 games with the Bolts last season were the second-most scored by a defender who was available in free agency, so he has a chance to make a significant impact on Edmonton's offense. He's still young (just 28) and will play top-four minutes. He could provide huge value for the $3.6 million he'll earn over two years.
Marty Turco: I'll admit this one could go either way, but the more I think about it, the more I love the upside of his one-year, $1.3 million deal. He lost his confidence, his focus and arguably his drive playing behind a Dallas blueline that relied too heavily on a Kiddie Corps the last couple of seasons. He could regain his mojo with the help of one of the most polished groups of defenders in the league. And don't neglect the effect his puck-handling skills could have on Chicago's transition game.
Devin Setoguchi: The RFA wasn't going anywhere, but even under those terms, the one-year extension he signed for just $1.8 million looks like a steal for GM Doug Wilson. Not only did it grant San Jose some cap flexibility, it bought another season of a winger who should return to the 30-goal, 60-point form that made him such a critical member of the Sharks in 2008-09.
Chris Mason: Goalies were as cheap as houses in Las Vegas this summer, and Mason could turn out to be the most undervalued property on the block. At just $1.85 million, he brings veteran leadership and the ability to soak up a lot of ice time -- he played a career-high 61 games at age 33 last season. He'll be a great mentor for Ondrej Pavelec, and he gives the Thrashers a stabilizing presence between the pipes that just might give them an edge in their drive for a playoff spot.
Johnny Boychuk: A couple of years ago, I was convinced that he was a tweener, an AHL star who would never be able to crack an NHL lineup in a role other than injury replacement. Watching him last season, though, I was taken by how well-rounded his game had become. The offensive potential was there -- he has a cannon from the point -- and he's plenty physical, but his defensive reads really impressed me. He's still developing, but he looks like a player who should assume a top-four role in Boston this year. That's strong value out of a two-year, $3.85 million signing.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... z0xczMcAMY
Marty Turco: I'll admit this one could go either way, but the more I think about it, the more I love the upside of his one-year, $1.3 million deal. He lost his confidence, his focus and arguably his drive playing behind a Dallas blueline that relied too heavily on a Kiddie Corps the last couple of seasons. He could regain his mojo with the help of one of the most polished groups of defenders in the league. And don't neglect the effect his puck-handling skills could have on Chicago's transition game.
Devin Setoguchi: The RFA wasn't going anywhere, but even under those terms, the one-year extension he signed for just $1.8 million looks like a steal for GM Doug Wilson. Not only did it grant San Jose some cap flexibility, it bought another season of a winger who should return to the 30-goal, 60-point form that made him such a critical member of the Sharks in 2008-09.
Chris Mason: Goalies were as cheap as houses in Las Vegas this summer, and Mason could turn out to be the most undervalued property on the block. At just $1.85 million, he brings veteran leadership and the ability to soak up a lot of ice time -- he played a career-high 61 games at age 33 last season. He'll be a great mentor for Ondrej Pavelec, and he gives the Thrashers a stabilizing presence between the pipes that just might give them an edge in their drive for a playoff spot.
Johnny Boychuk: A couple of years ago, I was convinced that he was a tweener, an AHL star who would never be able to crack an NHL lineup in a role other than injury replacement. Watching him last season, though, I was taken by how well-rounded his game had become. The offensive potential was there -- he has a cannon from the point -- and he's plenty physical, but his defensive reads really impressed me. He's still developing, but he looks like a player who should assume a top-four role in Boston this year. That's strong value out of a two-year, $3.85 million signing.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... z0xczMcAMY
