Frenzy Preview – Where Will They Land?

We are less than 18 hours away from the flood gates opening to Frenzy 2010! Where will the Top 50 free agents sign in the next handful of days/weeks?? Here are my predictions. Last year, of the Top 25 I broke down, I got 13 correct – proof that a blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in a while!

1. Ilya Kovalchuk, LW
Kovalchuk is heads-above-shoulders ‘the guy’ in this free agent class. He’s the best NHLer to hit the open market in recent years, but only a couple teams will be able to afford a great talent like him. The Kings are looking to make a splash, and Kovalchuk would fit well in L.A.
Keep an eye on: Kings, Devils
Prediction: Los Angeles Kings – 10 years, $83 million

2. Evgeni Nabokov, G
‘Nabby’ is the top goaltender in this year’s free agent market, but his asking price and lack of playoff success may steer teams to cheaper options. Eventually, I do see him settling in the NHL, but the KHL is in the picture here. There are always surprises on July 1, and Atlanta needs to get to the cap floor; why not Nabokov?
Keep an eye on: Thrashers, Lightning, KHL, Flyers
Prediction: Atlanta Thrashers – 2 years, $9.5 million

3. Anton Volchenkov, D
Year after year, the Russian blueliner is one of the league leaders in hits and blocked shots for defensemen. Volchenkov will deserve every penny thrown at him (unless it’s an outrageous deal). Look for as many as 11 teams to be interested, with the Canucks as possible front-runners.
Keep an eye on: Canucks, Sharks, Penguins
Prediction: Vancouver Canucks – 5 years, $26.25 million

4. Dan Hamhuis, D
Mr. Hamhuis will benefit from the lack of two-way defensemen out on the market. There is a considerable amount of solid top-four blueliners, but not many top-tier defensemen. Hamhuis will also have a lot of potential suitors come Thursday, and I believe he’ll eventually ‘hammer’ it out with the Pens.
Keep an eye on: Penguins, Canucks, Kings, Maple Leafs
Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins – 4 years, $19 million

5. Matthew Lombardi, C
Lombardi is the top center heading to the market, and the demand is high for centers. The Coyotes pivot will be licking his chops as he’ll be sought after; I see as many as eight teams being interested. His two-way presence will be a nice fit on any contender as the #2 center.
Keep an eye on: Wild, Kings, Capitals, Predators
Prediction: Minnesota Wild – 4 years, $16 million

6. Sergei Gonchar, D
It looks more and more likely that Gonchar will be leaving Pittsburgh, but it’s still possible he returns. A bevy of teams would love to add Gonchar’s offensive skills and experience to the blueline. If the Pens fall out of it, I like the Devils’ chances at grabbing him.
Keep an eye on: Devils, Kings, Capitals, Penguins
Prediction: New Jersey Devils – 3 years, $15 million

7. Paul Martin, D
Martin is probably the least talked about top free agent, as he’ll make any team that strikes out on Hamhuis and Volchenkov proud. Given he won’t be asking for as much money as the aforementioned three, Martin will have numerous teams giving him a call on Thursday. The team I think will make the biggest push is San Jose.
Keep an eye on: Sharks, Capitals, Kings, Stars
Prediction: San Jose Sharks – 4 years, $18 million

8. Ray Whitney, LW
I recently saw Ray Whitney ranked 40th on a Top 50 free agent list. Why? The veteran winger brings a lot of things to the table despite his age (38). Whitney will be a solid pickup for any team, and will likely seek a contender for one last shot at a Stanley Cup. Pittsburgh would be a great fit.
Keep an eye on: Penguins, Kings, Sabres, Canadiens
Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins – 2 years, $7 million

9. Alexander Frolov, LW
Alexander Frolov is probably one of the more overrated players heading to free agency this week. You would think someone like him would have a great season in a contract year, but failed to do so and racked up just 51 points. The KHL seems like a suitable destination, don’t you think?
Keep an eye on: KHL, Rangers, Penguins
Prediction: KHL

10. Chris Mason, G
Chris Mason will be one of many goalies tomorrow crossing his fingers and hoping he gets a call. He’ll be a nice fit in Tampa Bay or Philadelphia, and Atlanta seems to be looking for a goaltender, too. I think the Bolts would be smart to pursue Mason…
Keep an eye on: Lightning, Sharks, Flyers, Thrashers
Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning – 2 years, $6 million

11. Zbynek Michalek, D
The steady Coyotes defenseman will likely leave to pursue more money elsewhere, and will be a hot commodity once the dominoes fall. An endless list of teams will be interested, but I have a hunch he joins brother Milan in Ottawa, where he can soften the blow of losing Volchenkov.
Keep an eye on: Senators, Coyotes, Devils, Capitals, Stars
Prediction: Ottawa Senators – 3 years, $12 million

12. Pavel Kubina, D
Kubina is another one of those defensemen waiting in the weeds, ready to pounce on an offer. I think he’d be a great pickup for a team like Dallas, who may not be in the market for one of top guys, but have a big need on the back end.
Keep an eye on: Stars, Penguins, Sharks, Sabres
Prediction: Dallas Stars – 3 years, $12 million

13. Paul Kariya, LW
Kariya is in the same boat as Whitney, but will have to realize he’ll have to take a pay cut. The veteran’s production went down this past season, but may have a bounce-back year in the right situation. Pittsburgh would make sense if they don’t get Whitney, and so does going home to Vancouver.
Keep an eye on: Canucks, Penguins, Ducks, Flames
Prediction: Vancouver Canucks – 1 year, $2.5 million

14. Teemu Selanne, RW
As of right now, it seems like Selanne will either retire or return to Anaheim. I think he still has something left in the tank, and probably would have retired by now so Ducks management would know what to prepare for. Look for Selanne to return for one more year.
Keep an eye on: Ducks, Retirement
Prediction: Anaheim Ducks – 1 year, $2.25 million

15. Marty Turco, G
I am very interested to see where Turco will land this summer. He’ll get some offers, but must take a pay cut to keep playing in the NHL. Look for the Sharks to step to the forefront and offer Turco a two-year deal to be a stop-gap before the prospects are ready.
Keep an eye on: Sharks, Flyers, Lightning
Prediction: San Jose Sharks – 2 years, $6 million

16. Maxim Afinogenov, RW
Afinogenov had a nice bounce-back season with Atlanta, tallying 24 goals and 61 points, and should be pursued by other NHL teams. With that being said, will he follow Kovalchuk? Will he end up in the KHL? There’s a lot of possibilities for Afinogenov, but Russia sounds like the favorite landing spot for him.
Keep an eye on: KHL, Thrashers, Penguins, Rangers
Prediction: KHL

17. Henrik Tallinder, D
Tallinder is a solid stay-at-home defenseman that will have a home after the bigger dominoes fall tomorrow. The 31-year-old was a plus-13 last year with the Sabres, but will likely leave Buffalo. Washington or San Jose would be a nice fit for Tallinder.
Keep an eye on: Capitals, Sabres, Sharks, Devils
Prediction: Washington Capitals – 3 years, $10.5 million

18. Willie Mitchell, D
I really believe Mitchell would be ranked around Michalek on this list if it weren’t for his concussion midway through the 2009/10 season. He’s a borderline-great stay-at-home defenseman, and Vancouver’s blueline was different without him in the second half. Someone’s going to find a bargain in Mitchell…
Keep an eye on: Ducks, Devils, Sabres, Maple Leafs
Prediction: Anaheim Ducks – 2 years, $6 million

19. Dan Ellis, G
If you’re following Ellis on Twitter, you can tell he’s excited for July 1 to roll around. Yesterday he was dealt to Montreal, where he could potentially be a nice 1B-option to Carey Price. If he signs there, it’s a great opportunity for him.
Keep an eye on: Canadiens, Flyers, Lightning, Thrashers, Sharks
Prediction: Montreal Canadiens – 2 years, $4.5 million

20. Alexei Ponikarovsky, LW
Ponikarovsky’s stock took a big hit after heading to Pittsburgh at the deadline. Expected to score at will next to Malkin and Crosby, he only netted 2 goals and 9 points in 16 games, and was nearly invisible in the playoffs. He’ll land in the NHL, but the KHL is an option.
Keep an eye on: Islanders, Thrashers, Rangers, Lightning
Prediction: New York Islanders – 3 years, $9 million

21. Olli Jokinen, C
The enigma that is Olli Jokinen has done nothing but hurt his value over the last few years… so much that teams will likely shy away from the former 91-point-player from Florida. The likelihood of him heading over to Russia/Europe is pretty good if you ask me, although NHL clubs will be tempted by his skill.
Keep an eye on: KHL, Wild, Blue Jackets
Prediction: KHL

22. Jose Theodore, G
Poor Theodore. The Caps netminder goes 30-7-7 in the regular season and may be hard-pressed to find a job in a thin goalie market. I guess playing in two playoff games in the last two years doesn’t help. ‘Theo’ and Leighton would make for a decent 1-2 combo in Philly.
Keep an eye on: Flyers, Thrashers, Lightning
Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers – 1 year, $2.25 million

23. Matt Cullen, C
The career third-line center has bounced around with a few teams, but seems to play his best hockey with the Hurricanes. Will he return to Carolina? It’s very possible; his stock may have taken a bit of a hit after struggling in Ottawa. There will be interest in him around the league, though.
Keep an eye on: Hurricanes, Sharks, Capitals, Canucks
Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes – 2 years, $5 million

24. Lee Stempniak, RW
Stempniak sent shockwaves through Phoenix after the deadline, scoring 14 goals in 18 games. He didn’t carry that success over into the playoffs, though, and probably won’t get the deal he desires. For the right price, I think a handful of teams will give Stempniak a call.
Keep an eye on: Panthers, Rangers, Penguins, Flames
Prediction: Florida Panthers – 3 years, $8.1 million

25. Colby Armstrong, RW
Armstrong’s game didn’t take off in Atlanta like many expected, but it could if he signs with the right team. Armstrong can score 20-plus goals, and will be signed to be a second- or third-line winger. Look for the Pens to try to bring him back.
Keep an eye on: Penguins, Canucks, Maple Leafs, Coyotes
Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins – 2 years, $5 million

26. Joe Corvo, D
The 33-year-old blueliner should get some interest in the next week or so from teams looking for an offensive defenseman. He didn’t help his cause with the Capitals, but endured an injury-riddled campaign. Like Cullen, Corvo has done his best work in Carolina and could return.
Keep an eye on: Sabres, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Avalanche
Prediction: Buffalo Sabres – 3 years, $7.5 million

27. Toni Lydman, D
Lydman, 32, is a defenseman that will fly under the radar during the frenzy, but will be a nice find for his eventual suitor. He can block shots and dish out hits at a very affordable price.
Keep an eye on: Flyers, Sabres, Capitals, Rangers
Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers – 2 years, $5 million

28. Saku Koivu, C
Koivu signed on with Anaheim for just one year, and had a solid season with the Ducks. He finished strong with 19 points in 18 games. Will he return to Anaheim? Only if Selanne does. Will he join his brother Mikko in Minnesota? It seems like a logical fit. Those are the two favorites to sign Koivu.
Keep an eye on: Wild, Ducks
Prediction: Minnesota Wild – 1 year, $2.8 million

29. Derek Morris, D
After being dealt back to Phoenix at the deadline, Morris thrived in the desert where he was most comfortable. His production has dropped off since the lockout, but can still be a valuable second-pairing defenseman. It’s a crapshoot figuring out where he’ll end up!
Keep an eye on: Kings, Coyotes, Penguins, Sabres
Prediction: Los Angeles Kings – 2 years, $5.2 million

30. Vaclav Prospal, C
In the last four years, Prospal has averaged just over 57 points a year. He has proven to be durable, and can help a contender on the power play; so I do think he’ll land somewhere in the NHL. He’d be a good pickup for anyone looking for cheaper options up front.
Keep an eye on: Flames, Canadiens, Penguins
Prediction: Calgary Flames – 1 year, $1.5 million

Some other notables…
Eric Belanger, C… Vancouver Canucks
Martin Biron, G... New York Rangers
Brett Clark, D… Carolina Hurricanes
Carlo Colaiacovo, D… Los Angeles Kings
Mike Comrie, C… Anaheim Ducks
Pavol Demitra, RW… KHL/Europe
Kurtis Foster, D… Columbus Blue Jackets
*Denis Grebeshkov, D… KHL/Europe
Bill Guerin, RW… Tampa Bay Lightning
Johan Hedberg, G… Chicago Blackhawks
Chris Higgins, C/W… Calgary Flames
Jordan Leopold, D… Pittsburgh Penguins
Manny Malhotra, C/W… San Jose Sharks
Mike Modano, C… Washington Capitals
Brendan Morrison, C… Phoenix Coyotes
Antero Niittymaki, G… KHL/Europe
Owen Nolan, RW… San Jose Sharks
Andy Sutton, D… Phoenix Coyotes
Raffi Torres, LW… New York Rangers
Kyle Wellwood, C… Tampa Bay Lightning

*RFA’s without qualifying offers
Coverage of the frenzy will be from 2-6 PM ET on NHL Network and NHL.com!