NHL Teams Making Moves For Free Agency

The NHL’s free agency period starts Saturday. While teams have had the opportunity to speak to free agents the past few days, nothing has reportedly happened. But that will change on Saturday.

Somebody is going to overpay for defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. That team could very well be the New Jersey Devils who bought out Mike Cammalleri and Devante Smith-Pelly on Thursday. The Devils had plenty of cap space to work with. So that could mean something big from the team who drafted No. 1 last week. New Jersey could also work out a trade with a cap-strapped team by taking a bad contract. But it won’t be cheap and teams will look for cheaper options first.

Others hitting free agency who will draw interest are Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. Both have been with the San Jose Sharks for years. But the team wants to move on without them and somebody will be glad to add them to their roster. Neither player is what they once were. But both can still play decent hockey.

Alexander Radulov will get a good offer from somebody, as will Jaromir Jagr, who wants to play another season at least. Jagr may get a little bit less than he wants, but there’s still room for him in the NHL and he enjoys doing what he does. Justin Williams will also get a decent pay day.

Andrei Markov is another getting up there in years who will be a decent addition for a year.

The real gems are the restricted free agents, but it’s doubtful that any of them will get an offer sheet.

The Wild and Sabres made a trade Friday and more will come after teams see target players sign with other teams. While there are plenty of rumors out there, few turn out to actually have any teeth to them.