OTHL -- Midnight between Tuseday and Wednesday saw the start of the 2006-2007 UFA period. And with some big names out there, the speculations are already going wild. Some fans belived that there would be a fleury of activity early on in the UFA market, but a league source said he did not belive there would be any signings until late Wednesday.
"Everyone are taking there time this season with the $39 million dollar cap. Nobody want to splash out the big cash before the bar is set. When one of the bigger players gets signed, then the avalanch will start and I think we will see a trickle of signings. So it all depends on when the first big name signs." - The legaue source said. And he also made a bet on who he tought would sign first. "I think the first signing will be a depth signing, someone like Jim Dowd or Tim Taylor. Solid veteran players that will be getting plenty of offers this time around."
The biggest name out on the market is of course star defender Chris Pronger, who will be able to pick and choice the team of his liking. Last season the big defender played for 6 teams, despite a solid season with 34 points and a +16 rating. And now Pronger just wants to sign for a team that he will be able to play for, for more then 1 season. "Besides the money, the ability to pick a team that suits yourself and that wants you on there roster for a long time. Is the main benefit with being a unrestricted free agent. Last season I was traded 7 times, and I don't want to go through that again. Now I am looking for a team that wants me."
Another top name available are goaltending duo of Marty Turco and Nikolai Khabibulin. Both coming off strong seasons, with Khabibulin winning the cup and the Conn Smythe in Atlanta. Khabibulin who also ranks 4th in the league in career wins, will just like Turo, gather plenty of interest around the league. The two goalies are the cream of the crop in an otherwise bare goaltending market, and there are plenty of teams looking for a solid #1 goalie.
"Two of the more interesting names out there, are of course Turco and Khabibulin. Turco with his 35-21-7 record and Khabibulin with his Conn Smythe winning playoffs. I think neither will sign early on, both will sit and wait and see whats out there. And they will also wait and see what the other one dose. Both might get simular offers, so its going to be interesting." - The league source commented on the two top netminders in the UFA market.
List of available unrestricted free agents