Michael Cammalleri is a longshot at best to return to Calgary after his 39-goal season, but it'll be fun to see where the affable goal scorer ends up. Many figure he'll end up in Vancouver or Toronto, but here's a team to consider: Washington.
Cammalleri played one full season and parts of two others in Manchester where the head coach was Bruce Boudreau. We've been told Cammalleri and Boudreau have a great rapport and the Caps have cash and the need for another scorer.
Team to keep an eye on when free agency begins: Minnesota. Granted, when the Sedin twins sign -- whether it's in Vancouver or elsewhere -- the chips around the league will fall into place, but the Wild will be an interesting study.
With a new coaching staff, Minny will try to sell players on a more offensive style in front of a great fan base. It likely won't be enough to keep Marian Gaborik in the fold, but rest assured the Wild ownership will loosen the wallet to bring in some offensive talent.
Saku Koivu may very well join his younger brother, but that could be the tip of the iceberg. You can bet the Wild will go after a couple of big ticket scorers, such as the Sedins, Marian Hossa, Martin Havlat or Cammalleri. Minnesota may not make the biggest splash during free agency, but will be a team with major turnover.
FLAMING C-NOTES: Without having Dustin Boyd or Adam Pardy re-signed and assuming one of either Matt Pelech or John Negrin will be on the NHL roster, the Flames have five defencemen and 10 forwards inked for the coming season.
That leaves them somewhere north of $10 million US in salary cap space right now -- thanks in big part to ridding the team of Jim Vandermeer's contract.
We could assume left winger Kyle Greentree makes the jump -- something Sutter alluded to this off-season -- but that still leaves the Flames in position for one impact signing.
Either way, the next week will be all kinds of fun.
Cammalleri played one full season and parts of two others in Manchester where the head coach was Bruce Boudreau. We've been told Cammalleri and Boudreau have a great rapport and the Caps have cash and the need for another scorer.
Team to keep an eye on when free agency begins: Minnesota. Granted, when the Sedin twins sign -- whether it's in Vancouver or elsewhere -- the chips around the league will fall into place, but the Wild will be an interesting study.
With a new coaching staff, Minny will try to sell players on a more offensive style in front of a great fan base. It likely won't be enough to keep Marian Gaborik in the fold, but rest assured the Wild ownership will loosen the wallet to bring in some offensive talent.
Saku Koivu may very well join his younger brother, but that could be the tip of the iceberg. You can bet the Wild will go after a couple of big ticket scorers, such as the Sedins, Marian Hossa, Martin Havlat or Cammalleri. Minnesota may not make the biggest splash during free agency, but will be a team with major turnover.
FLAMING C-NOTES: Without having Dustin Boyd or Adam Pardy re-signed and assuming one of either Matt Pelech or John Negrin will be on the NHL roster, the Flames have five defencemen and 10 forwards inked for the coming season.
That leaves them somewhere north of $10 million US in salary cap space right now -- thanks in big part to ridding the team of Jim Vandermeer's contract.
We could assume left winger Kyle Greentree makes the jump -- something Sutter alluded to this off-season -- but that still leaves the Flames in position for one impact signing.
Either way, the next week will be all kinds of fun.
