FA Defensemen in 2011
So while it doesn't look like we'll be signing a big defenseman this offseason... Here is a list of what DW will likely be making a run at next year. It certainly is a much stronger list than this year
Brent Sopel - Atlanta
Zack Bogosian - Atlanta (Restricted)
Zdeno Chara - Boston
Mark Stuart - Boston
Craig Rivet - Buffalo
Steve Motador - Buffalo
Andrej Sekera - Buffalo
Mark Giordano - Calgary
Steven Staios - Calgary
Joni Pitkanen - Carolina
Brent Seabrook - Chicago
Jan Hejda - Columbus
Marc Methot - Columbus
Nicklas Lidstrom - Detroit
Jonathan Ericsson - Detroit
Ladislav Smid - Edmonton
Bryan McCabe - Florida
Drew Doughty - Los Angeles (Restricted)
Jack Johnson - Los Angeles
Andrei Markov - Montreal
Roman Hamerlik - Montreal
Shea Weber - Nashville
Radek Martinek - NY Islanders
Milan Jurcina - NY Islanders
Chris Phillips - Ottawa
Ed Jovanovski - Phoenix
Keith Yandle - Phoenix
Sami Lepisto - Phoenix (Restricted)
Kent Huskins - Who Cares?
Nicklas Wallin - See above
Eric Brewer - St. Louis
Roman Polak - St. Louis (Restricted)
Tomas Kaberle - Toronto
Luke Schenn - Toronto (Restricted)
Kevin Bieksa - Vancouver
Shane O'Brien - Vancouver
Sami Salo - Vancouver
Christian Ehrhoff - Vancouver
John Erskine - Washington
Tom Poti - Washington
This item was created by a member of this blog's community and is not necessarily endorsed by Fear The Fin.
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lidstrom is likely either retiring or resigning... almost left him off
by DucksSuckQuackQuack on Jul 19, 2010 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah I was joking. But the chances of getting Doughty Or Schenn are about the same. Maybe he should wait a year and poach Myers from Buffalo(lord knows they can’t keep free agents its a rule)
I rec’d that shit.
I'd prefer Doughty and Myers.
Oh, and Hedman.
"I just twoted all over the place!"
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud founder of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
true… but we could maybe get Johnson from LA, Seabrook seems like a definite possibility after DW shut chicago down financially with his offer sheet to Hjalmarsson. Weber could also happen (same thing what you said about Buffalo applies to Nashville). And one of the four Vancouver defensemen.
by DucksSuckQuackQuack on Jul 19, 2010 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions
He was just made captain of the Preds. He’s going nowhere. Nice thinking, though. IMO he’s the biggest badass of the league. Who else could give Andreas Lilja a 1-year concussion?
by JenLovesHockey on Jul 19, 2010 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes
It looks stronger right now.
We’ll see how long most of those names last as this year goes along. I’d expect less than half to be available come July 1.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
of course... i still would say it's stronger than last year
by DucksSuckQuackQuack on Jul 19, 2010 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Kent Huskins - Who Cares?
Well, considering the “Who Cares” is replacing “San Jose”, I’d have to say I care, a lot really.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
The thing is, how many of those are going to resign?
You know Doughty will. Lidstrom is a Wing4life.
You can get Kaberle or Bieksa in trade.
But of all the big names, maybe Chara and or Weber ( who I doubt makes the open market )
Sorry to burst the bubble guys…most of those guys won’t make the open market…
Chara is already in talks for an extension witht he Bruins.
by BruinsSelectSeguin on Jul 20, 2010 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions
I like me some Chara
but I doubt he’d leave Boston anytime soon. He speaks like a dozen languages and spent a summer in Africa, I think he was trying to help people over there. Seems like a really cool guy off the ice.
by JenLovesHockey on Jul 19, 2010 10:50 PM PDT reply actions
Yes, he was part of the Let’s Play charity that focuses on bringing sports and equipment to under priviledged children in 3rd world country aka soccer.
by BruinsSelectSeguin on Jul 20, 2010 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Thanks for posting this list,
but can anyone tell me which are do-able? I mean do-able not in the way you dirty people think, but rather, let’s leave out the guys who aren’t leaving their current teams to save their lives
by JenLovesHockey on Jul 19, 2010 10:52 PM PDT reply actions
Well Jen….all the best are probably gone by the time they can become available.
Some might make it if their team goes another way, or just sucks this year. Some include ; Sopel, Stuart, Rivet, Sekera, and Montador in Buffalo ( doubt all 3 tho’ ). Mark Giordano id the Flames are stupid enough to screw it up Cap wise ( and he is probably a goood target if he keeps improving ), Staios ( why?) Pitkanen (meh), Brian McCabe ( not bad…maybe overpriced by now ) Hamrlik ( why again? ), Chris Phillips ( tho’ he has been a Sen for a long time…probably wants to stay ),Jovanowski ( will have to take a pay cut…but can be good for a lesser price ). Yandle, Brewer…both kinda meh.
Of the Canucks and Leafs…would Burkie let a guy like Schenn walk after pumping his tires for so long? Kaberle you can get now…but it sounds like Burke is asking too much for a one dimensional defenseman.
Salo would be better than him, but with all the injuries and whatnot, we Canuck fans are getting the feeling this could be his last deal, or if he signs again, it will be one more one or two year deal. He is a great defenseman when healthy though. OBrien, if he goes downhill if he stays, or is UFA next year if he gets traded and doesn’t resign…is intriguing. He has to grow up sometime.
Ehrhoff is going no where!
Hope that helps. It looks like there is some talent on the list, but the guys you can actually get are all good at one thing, and not good at the other.
A mixed bag. I hope that helps Jen…
Peace
Yes, that helps, thank you :)
I knew the big names weren’t going to happen, but of the ones remaining (the slim pickins), of course we’d like the ones that suck the least – and it’s been just frustrating so far this summer, not being able to land some of the bigger names. Still disappointed about Hjalmmar. In my own naive way, I really didn’t think Chicago was gonna match!!!
by JenLovesHockey on Jul 20, 2010 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions
The bigger names probably aren't do-able.
Seabrook seems semi-realistic considering Chicago’s cap situation, but I’m not sure if he would be as good without Duncan Keith.
Don't let the name deceive you, I'm not just a Sharks fan but a Lakers, 49ers, Angels, Giants (and to a lesser extent) Capitals, and Titans fan.
by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jul 19, 2010 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions
McCabe might be an option if DW really thinks we need another puck mover. He’s not a shutdown guy, though. I could see Florida letting him walk.
Hejda will be looking for a payday, but he’d fit in really nicely. I just suspect he’ll sign somewhere on July 1st while DW is busy tanning. Columbus probably can’t resign him.
Phillips, if Ottawa lets him walk, would be a good option for a shutdown pairing guy. He’s probably better than 50-50 to stay with the Sens, though.
Kaberle and Bieksa are possibilities, of course, and have been talked about around this site at legnth.
The rest of that list is either shitty, or important to their franchise and not going anywhere…at least IMO.
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 20, 2010 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Thank you – you’ve all been helpful, sorting these guys out
by JenLovesHockey on Jul 20, 2010 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Mark Giordano is my No. 1 target on that list (among realistic UFA possibilities). He’s got the two-way ability that we really need, and he just keeps getting better and better. I could see him leaving Calgary, but I also could see him being one of those guys who ends up getting more than you might expect—maybe a Hamhuis-like contract. You know…the amount of money that will be freed up by Huskins’ and Wallin’s expiring contracts. But we also know how DW operates.
So many of the other useful UFA guys on this list, though, are getting up there in age. I’m thinking specifically of McCabe and Hejda—36 and 33, respectively, next summer.
Also, there are some players above who are actually RFA but not listed as such, guys like Yandle and Johnson.
Giordano’s not bad. I like to follow Calgary here and there, and yeah he could be useful.
Plus Giordano’s in the city is our favorite Steelers bar (don’t ask why we hang out at Steelers bars)
by JenLovesHockey on Jul 20, 2010 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Three years in Pittsburgh for me—during their Super Bowl win over the Seahawks and Big Ben’s motorcycle accident—so I can relate to the experience of being around Steelers fans. That is one hell of a fan base.
I developed a soft spot (man crush?) on Giordano after a HNIC After Hours interview this past winter. I started to pay more attention to his game and was kind of stunned at how under-the-radar he is. Being in Calgary certainly causes that somewhat (at least for the American hockey audience), so I really wonder what the market will be like for him next year.
by Timorous Me on Jul 21, 2010 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
My guy’s originally from Pittsburgh, wore a Steelers onesie when he was an infant, etc., so he’s pretty hardcore about it. I can’t get into football myself, aside from the pants.
Giordano’s in North Beach is pretty awesome. But they WILL throw your ass out of there if you walk in wearing any non-Steelers football gear.
Mark Giordano’s a good pick for a man-crush, too.
by JenLovesHockey on Jul 21, 2010 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Lets get Ehrhoff back!
I miss that guy
"Everybody had a part in this. As you can see, our fans love this. And we love them. And bring on the next team." -Joe Thornton
by waive kent huskins on Jul 20, 2010 12:28 AM PDT reply actions
Meh. I still don't.
"I just twoted all over the place!"
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud founder of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
Vancouver can keep him…no thanks.
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 20, 2010 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Cool…thanks guys.
If you are throwing away any other great players…we are always open to take them!!
His best season of his career ( 14 goals/30 assists/+ 36 ) and you gus don’t want him back?
Ok. Well keep him.
Hey …Gooch is from here…if you have any ideas…just sayin’
;-)
Sometimes players just need a change of scenery
to really hit their stride.
If he came back in teal, I would give him a chance, but there is a reason we call him Errorhof.
I think he was paired with better guys in Vancouver too.
"iaT"S FUCKINGE LIEK CONICO DO MAYO!!!!!111"
Mr. K. 5/5/2009
Ehrhoff is not a GREAT player. He’s a solid offensive defenseman. Nothing more, nothing less.
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by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 20, 2010 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Your opinion. Which is obviously jaded.
He was the #1 or #2 defenseman on a division winning, contending team.
He was +36, played in all situations ( not just the offensive ones )…and proved himself over and over again.
I really don’t understand why it is so tough for Shark fans to give the guy any credit. It is obvious that he is a great player and not an average one.
I guess it is tough to admit he might be better than you thought…but last year had to prove something to even the most jaded of fans.
Of either team!
Peace
He finished 26th in Points/Game. Which is good, but definately not great (as I consider the word to mean a top player in the league). His +/- was good, but Vancouver also scored the most goals of any team in the West…of course their +/- will be high. Jeff Schultz was +50, but no one is claiming he is a great player. I have serious issues about using +/- as a barometer for greatness. I’m not saying Ehrhoff isn’t a solid D man, or that he didn’t have a good year. He did have a good year, and the change of scenery was good for him. But to call him a GREAT player after one good season and numerous average, error filled ones is a gross exageration.
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by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 20, 2010 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Fair enough.
I disagree with the assertion that the other seasons were so bad.
Its obvious that he was some kind of whipping boy for the fans, much as Bieksa here.
He is too talented to be as bad as some of our fans say.
I expect that is the same with you guys and Ehrhoff.
As for the plus minus…well…the fact the Canucks were high scoring helps.
But that also means he was on the ice for a lot of 5-5 where we scored.
Not hanging back to cover the back like Schultz, but actually contributing to the play that scored.
Its all good. How about instead of great I just say…very…very.good. Exactly what we needed. Way over his expectations…
Better?
;-)
Ehrhoff is good, but he was kind of protected matchup-wise, no?
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by red army line on Jul 20, 2010 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
No.
I watched every game last season. He was on the 1st or 2nd PP/PK, and a usually Top 2/4 pairing ( that depended on injuries through the season )
One of the big things that never shows up in things like shift charts was how he made OBrien better when he was paired with him. They worked well together.
At the end, in the playoffs, he was just asked to do too much due to injuries.
He was the #2 choice on the PK it looks like, with the best teammates facing the easiest competition on the whole. The PP matchups don’t really matter for the PP team.
I don’t see how he wasn’t matchup-protected a bit. He was facing the easiest two-way competition at ES and on PK.
If you say he isn’t, then don’t you go rap on Mike Green then ;)
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by red army line on Jul 20, 2010 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I totally miss Ehrhoff.
You and I tend to like the same guys and we both hate Huskins.
by JenLovesHockey on Jul 20, 2010 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Ehrhoff is awesome. There are people who don’t think Ehrhoff is awesome??? Psssh.
by JenLovesHockey on Jul 20, 2010 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions
This year I think we should be looking at Philly for D help, Coburn? Then hopefully Pitkanen hits the open market and we can sign him.
Boyle-Coburn
Vlasic-Pitkanen
Demers-??
I like.
Philly just resigned Coburn this summer, it’s unlikely we can get him. Even if I also like to bring it up.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
this.
They won’t trade a recently resigned D man. I wouldn’t mind trying to get Timmonen from them, if they want to trade off blueliners. I don;t think they want to trade off blueliners, though.
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by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 20, 2010 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Although Carle is probably more in our price range…although not nearly the upgrade Timonen would be.
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by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 20, 2010 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
How would Carle help us?
Timonen is better, but I doubt he’s gonna be traded…Idk what the hell they’re doing tbh…
Go Sharks!
Carle would be a cheaper Kaberle…and I do think we need another puck mover on the blueline along with a shutdown guy (Boyle’s minutes HAVE TO go down).
Philly is stockpiling D men…and they need to if they are relying on Leighton next season (who is not a good goaltender). And a blueline of Pronger-Timonen-Meszaros-Carle-Coburn-Walker is good enough to hide many of his flaws. They’re going to be a damn good team next season yet again.
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by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 20, 2010 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions
why give up carle in the first place if we want him back
by red triangle on Jul 20, 2010 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I think Karl Alzner is also an RFA.
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Alzner won’t be leaving Washington…although, you are right, he will be an RFA after this season. Carlzner will be a force of a pairing for quite a while back east.
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by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 20, 2010 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions
if we eventually land a shutdown d-man this summer, I’d go after Giordano next summer and pair him with Vlasic.
Oh, so that's where you edit your signature
Yes to both
"Like I said, it’s like me giving you a high-five and chest bump after you hit for the cycle against the kid in the wheelchair." Vacafan on May 14, 2010

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