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+---- Thread: Top 10 free agents (/showthread.php?tid=54347)
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- TheNextGreatOne - 08-06-2015
1. Jackson Weekes
The best free agent in this upcoming off-season had a fantastic contract season, even breaking a record. This 1279 TPE goalie had a breakout season, setting a record for highest save percentage in the leagues history. He will be an amazing starting goaltender for whichever team he signs with in this upcoming off-season.
Will he re-sign? There is a strong possibility that Weekes will re-sign with the Panthers. He’d probably be looking to sign with a contender and why not re-join the team that went to the finals two times in the pass three seasons.
Where could he sign with, should he not re-sign?
- The Minnesota Chiefs have a strong team, that will be looking for a new goalie this off-season with Rajan testing the open market. However losing three main roster pieces during this off-season might make the Chiefs and unappealing team to sign with. (Note, this was written before the 44 trade.):admirals:- One of the two expansion teams joining the league this next season, the Portland Admirals drafted very well in the expansion draft to give them a chance at making the playoffs next year and will be needing a starting goalie. With two good top centers, the Admirals look like a good team to sign with.
2. Chuck Goody
The second best free agent out there, is a one-time challenge cup winner. In S23, Goody had a 42 point season, scoring 5 goals. However those numbers went down to 29 points, but still scoring the same number of goals. This could be a result to being bumped to the second pairing, with the signing of Stinson, and can also be the reason why he’s testing the market. He will probably be looking for first pairing minutes, with whichever team he signs with, and possibly a chance at the challenge cup.
Will he re-sign? There is a possibility he will re-sign, however I think it’s slim. After already one cup under his belt, and the defensive depth Manhattan Rage already have, he will probably be leaving them for more ice time.
Where could he sign with, should he not re-sign?
- The Toronto North Stars were close to making the second round in their first season back in the playoffs. Although they have a possibility of losing a few key members this off-season, should they re-sign they may look like a good option for Goody. With names like Weber and Scherbluk on the blueline, adding Goody could make the team into a contender.
- After an off year, the Edmonton Blizzards would be looking to make some changes to make the playoffs again. With veteran Keenan retiring this off-season, the team could be looking to go all in, and adding Goody will be a big piece to help them out. He will be getting first line minutes should he go there and the GMs have shown they could make the finals. Those factors may make Edmonton a good spot for Goody.3. Niklas Stryker
This free agent has used his player option to end his contract early. Drafted in S16 to the Los Angeles Panthers, has played for 3 teams during his career, and could be playing for a 4th one in the next season. This past season Stryker made the 3rd all-star team, with 46 point total, 24 of them being goals. Look for him to join a contender this off-season, to try and win another challenge cup, after his first and only one in S17.
Will he re-sign?No. Only reason someone will opt out of their contract early is to either get more money or sign with the other team. I feel the latter is the reason why Stryker opted out of his contract, and therefore will not re-sign.
Where could he sign with, should he not re-sign?
- The Manhattan Rage have been a consistent team in the East for the last few seasons, making it to the Eastern finals three times in a row, making it to the finals and winning it during S22. With Goody possibly leaving, they might lose a small step next season, but have a strong depth that it might not be noticed.
- With a couple of retirees at the end of the season and losing Lahey and Pettyfer during this off-season, this might be one of the final seasons Texas Renegades might be a top contender. With that they might go all in and be looking for a top 6 winger to add to the team, which Stryker fits that mark. He could help the team in the playoffs, and give the team it’s fourth ever Challenge Cup.4. Pierre-Luc Laflamme
This free agent is going to be hitting the open market, the first season he becomes a UFA. Selected 2nd overall in the S22 draft to the Toronto North Stars, Pierre-Luc Laflamme since joining the league as a true rookie, he has scored 30 goals and 59 points, with 11 of those goals and 26 points, coming from this season. After being bumped down to the second line this season, to make room for veteran Phil Schenn, don’t be surprised to see Laflamme going to a team that will give him first line minutes.
Will he re-sign? Most likely. It appears that he will be testing free agency to see what offers he gets and will probably only not re-sign with Toronto North Stars next season, if he gets an offer that blows him out of the waters. With Schenn retiring, Laflamme will be given back his old spot, should he re-sign.
Where could he sign with, should he not re-sign?
:admirals:- The Portland Admirals are the closest team to winning the Challenge Cup out of the two expansions team. Joining them will give Laflamme guaranteed 1st line minutes for seasons to come, and allow him to be on the team when it grows. One of the downsides of him joining this team is he just came out of the North Stars rebuild, and will probably not want to join another rebuilding/retooling team. But sometimes the risk is worth the reward.
- After missing the playoffs this past season, the Riots will be looking to bring a top talent back in to get a chance at returning to the post-season. The Riot already have a top line right winger, however could talk Laflamme into switching to left wing. The team is a contender each year, however don’t have the strongest goalie in net next season and could be a factor in not getting Laflamme on the team.5. Oliver Pettyfer
This free agent may not make the open market, after his rights were traded to Toronto North Stars. This past season, Oliver Pettyfer had an amazing season, being just shy of a ppg pace. She was paired alongside offensive minded, Maxim Horvat where they had incredible chemistry to start, but trailed off slightly at the end of the season. Don’t be surprised to see him signing with a team that has a high offensive mind, center, like the Renegades did.
Will he re-sign? For the purpose of this article, I will be using the Renegades as the team he would be re-signing with, even though Toronto North Stars have his rights. With that being said, no Pettyfer will not re-sign. It’s not because he doesn’t like the team, because I’m sure he does, but because he can not re-sign according to the rules.
Where could he sign with, should he not re-sign?
- The Toronto North Stars traded for his rights, so it shows they want him, and that might add points to him signing with them. The Stars currently have an opening on their 1st line right wing, with the retiring of Phill Schenn and Pierre-Luc Laflamme going out to free agency. Toronto has shown they want to contend, with acquire Weber last off-season, and adding a good offensive winger might help them get that very elusive Challenge Cup.
- As a former West Kendall Platoon draftee, Pettyfer might want to return to the team that a took a chance on him and drafted him. With West Kendall turning from rebuilders to contenders this off-season, adding a winger like Pettyfer might get them back into the post-season. They have the room and space to regain Pettyfer, but it all depends on if he wants to go back to Florida or not.6. Mark Harter
Another S22 draftee, this one going 6th overall, had his sophomore season this year. Lowering his GAA by 0.16 and increasing his save percentage by 0.001 percent. His numbers haven’t improved between the two seasons of SHL hockey he’s played, with a better group during the second year, he has however shown that he will be able to be a starter in a season or two. He’ll be looking for a starter job this off-season, and will probably looks to see what from all the teams looking to sign him, which one has the defense.
Will he re-sign?It is possible that he re-signs, but also possible that he doesn’t. The choice is there for him, he could continue on staying with Toronto and hope to win a cup there, or he could sign with another contender that has a better chance of winning a challenge cup, or join a rebuilder and help get stronger there.
Where could he sign with, should he not re-sign?
- With their star goaltender, Jermaine Tennyson retiring last season, the Wolfpack have been without a true starting goaltender last season. With prospect goalie, Earnest Ciarelli not expected to make it to the SHL for a few seasons, Harter would become the number one goalie in New England for a good number of seasons to come.
- With Weekes possibly leaving Los Angeles in free agency, they will have a starting goalie hole to fill. Harter would be the better out of the goalie free agents available, so wouldn’t be surprised to see LA go after him. The downside to LA, is they have a good goalie prospect in the system who should be able to crack the roster, and a lot quicker than Ciarelli.7. David Winter
(Please note I had this written up before he re-signed, and is too lazy to write up another player.)This free agent is one of the oldest players in the league, and is still going strong. David Winter finished 3rd on his team in points, with 37, even though he just his 18th season in the SHL. He even played 22.48 minutes per game, 4th for his team, not bad an old man. With his seasons numbered, don’t be surprised to see David Winter leave the Riot for a contender to get a final challenge cup.
Will he re-sign? Yes, in fact he already has re-signed.
8. Armin Brovalchuk
(Please note I had this written up before he signed, and am too lazy to write up another player.) The journeyman of a free agent has played for almost every team, except for the Dragons and Renegades. This S9 draftee, scored 13 goals and 31 points this past season, his first one as a Blizzard. In his next contract he will probably be looking to finish off his tour of SHL teams, including the two new expansion teams.
Will he re-sign? Just like Pettyfer, I am going to go with that the team for him to re-sign with is Edmonton. And like Pettyfer, it is impossible for Brovalchuk to re-sign, since he was traded from Edmonton.
Where could he sign with, should he not re-sign? He’s already signed with the Admirals, so can not sign with someone else.
9. Alexander Kjaeberg
The third Toronto North Stars on this list, Kjaeberg just came off a 12 goal, 33 point season, as a 2nd line center. Drafted in the amazing S20 draft, Kjaeberg has had a trouble making the first line center spot on the North Stars, don’t be surprise to see him joining a team that would give him a better chance at becoming that first line center, this off-season.
Will he re-sign? there is a possibility, but I don’t see it happening. It’s been 5 seasons since he’s been drafted and he still is a 2nd line center, with pretty much no chance of moving up to 1st line center role. Although he may very well be comfortable with 2nd line minutes and stay with the North Stars.
Where could he sign with, should he not re-sign?
- A new expansion team that needs a 2nd line center. Should Kjaeberg sign with them, he would have 2nd line minutes for a good 3-4 seasons until someone gets better than him or the team signs a center in another free agency. Although Kjaeberg just went through a rebuild so he might not we to go back through another one, but sometimes going through a rebuild is rewarding when the results turn out.
- After winning the Challenge Cup this past season, the Steelhawks will be looking for a back-to-back championship. They already have their number one center lockdown, but they could look for a good 2nd line center to add depth to the team. They will also be an enticing team for Alexander Kjaeberg to join, given that they have the experience and knowledge to get a shot at a Challenge Cup, which all players want to win.10. Dymo Rajan
Last but not least, the third goaltender in this draft from Minnesota Chiefs, Dymo Rajan. Rajan had a decent season as the starter for the Chiefs, who finished 2nd in the league and 1st in their conference, posting a 0.902 save percentage and 2.42 GAA in 46 starts. He probably will be looking for another starting job in whatever team he signs with during this off-season and hopes to prove that he is capable of keeping that job.
Will he re-sign? Simply put, no. Minnesota Chiefs just recently brought in FourFour to help the team win a cup this season, and will have no more room for Rajan.
Where could he sign with, should he not re-sign?
- One of the two expansion teams, and the only one to take a goalie in the expansion draft, but that goalie is not starter material. Rajan signing with Stampede will give him a starter for 4-5 seasons to come.:admirals:- The second of the two expansion teams, this one didn’t get a goalie in the expansion, although their general manager is a goalie. Even though they have a prospect goalie, he will take a 3-4 seasons to become a starter. With that being said, Rajan might sign with the Admirals as he will be given a starting goalie job for those 3-4 seasons, and might be able to keep that job for more seasons to come if he preform well.
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2471 words- Muerto - 08-06-2015
Not having Brojled in this list means none of it should be taken seriously
- Trill - 08-06-2015
Snubbed
- JPL - 08-06-2015
Quote:Originally posted by KezKincaid@Aug 6 2015, 01:12 AM
Not having Brojled in this list means none of it should be taken seriously
- vbottas17 - 08-06-2015
This is a good article. I can definitely see that you put some effort into it!
However I don't think Goody would say that he was leaving Manhattan for more ice time if he did in fact leave
- Schultzy - 08-06-2015
Webb got snubbed hard.
- TheNextGreatOne - 08-06-2015
Quote:Originally posted by KezKincaid@Aug 6 2015, 02:12 AMAfter I wrote out the list, realized I should have put Brojled on it, but was too lazy to write about someone else.
Not having Brojled in this list means none of it should be taken seriously
- TheNextGreatOne - 08-06-2015
Quote:Originally posted by Schultzy@Aug 6 2015, 02:35 AMDidn't include him as he's a co-gm.
Webb got snubbed hard.
- Muerto - 08-06-2015
Quote:Originally posted by TheNextGreatOne@Aug 6 2015, 12:12 AM
After I wrote out the list, realized I should have put Brojled on it, but was too lazy to write about someone else.
Haha I can accept that!
Brojled a
- Mac - 08-06-2015
That quote <_<
Should not have told you it was ok.
- Jogurtaa - 08-06-2015
Nice article. I always enjoy seeing Pettys name in other people articles :D
- Gaia Mormont - 08-06-2015
Quote:Originally posted by KezKincaid@Aug 6 2015, 07:25 AM
Haha I can accept that!
Brojled a
Million bucks says I beat you in points next season.
that
- Gaia Mormont - 08-06-2015
Quote:Originally posted by TheNextGreatOne@Aug 6 2015, 07:12 AM
After I wrote out the list, realized I should have put Brojled on it, but was too lazy to write about someone else.
Brojled is awesome. The end.
It really does write itself.
- Mook - 08-06-2015
Minnesota Rage
- LVShark - 08-06-2015
#Snubbed
Good read though :D It's a great article to start the FA hype now that the draft is over