Yeah, looks like that’s going to be the case, with a handful of mid-level starting netminders hitting the open market/trading block.
Manny Fernandez stands to probably make a killing. Other UFAs include Nikolai Khabubulin, Marty Biron (who probably won’t be re-signed by Philly with the imminent Ray Emery signing), Ty Conklin, and Craig Anderson. As for the trading block, J.S. Giguere, Josh Harding, and Jose Theodore are almost certainly going to be shopped heavily (not likely that anyone wants Theo, though).
All 8 of those guys could potentially land (or at least compete for) starting jobs next year. My question: where will they all end up (and who won’t be going anywhere) and why? Most interesting answer wins.
Roloson? I guess. But if you want to go with a geriatric, why not just go with CuJo, Kolzig, or Kelly Hrudey? Also, there’s no way I see the Hawks re-signing Khabby, unless he’s willing to take a huge pay cut to split time with Huet (not likely). And Fernandez DEFINITELY lands a starting job and a contract that pays him five times what he’s worth.
Most likely another 8 too, Clemmensen and or Weeks in NJ. Edmonton has 3 or 4 equals There is sure gonna be alot of Keepers shipped around for sure.
A tough and well thought out question. However I believe that Giguere is washed up and wont be a 60-70 game starter. Theodore played alright but look at how he played on Colorado and the Capitals; alright. I wont think anyone will sign him to more than a 2 year contract, and not expensive at all.
Khabubulin has his ups and downs but is consistant enough to be a starter for next season. I can see another west team picking him up. Marty is gonna stay in the east coast i believe tho, obviously not with the Flyers lol.
Shame on you! You forgot Dwayne Roleson of the Oilers. He is an older goalie but doesn’t have that many NHL games for wear and tear.
My guess is that:
Oilers will pursue Harding and will be the only starting goalie that moves in your group.
Khabublin won’t go anywhere
Khabibulin is the most desirable on that list of UFA’s. Can’t see the hawks keeping him unless they find a sucker to take Huet. They have lots of young guys soon coming off entry levels and can’t afford 12 M a year on goalies.
Khabibulin will be a starter, Biron possibly, Fernandez- not sure teams will take a chance on him as a number one, getting old and has not played much in recent years.