The NHL free agent period starts soon and in 2014, rumors have names like Paul Stastny, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, Thomas Vanek, Ryan Miller, Martin Brodeur, Mats Zuccarello, Jonas Hiller, Jarome Iginla and PK Subban as some of the top players and targets for the NY Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks in free agency, while Dan Boyle, Jason Spezza and Joe Thornton are the top trade targets for teams this summer.
The NY Rangers had to make a major move to get rid of Brad Richards, as his contract would count against the cap for the duration had they not bought him out and now the team has freed up a nice amount of cap space. The Rangers have a number of restricted and unrestricted free agents that they need to sign and now they will have some money to work with. Richards signed a massive $60 million, nine-year deal with the Rangers and the new CBA put in rules to punish teams for making deals like that and the Rangers really had no choice but to buy him out.
Now ESPN.com writes that the Rangers could be in the market for new first line center over promoting Derek Stepan and Derick Brassard and Stastny could be an option. SB Nation writes that the team could also look at a deal for Joe Thornton and this comes after Richards did not live up to his contract with the Rangers. Richards played well and was a leader, but he was never quite the player he used to be and now the Rangers move on after the team lost in the Stanley Cup to the Kings. Paul Stastny, Dan Boyle and Mikhail Grabovski all could be options for the team and the Rangers and Blackhawks both need to make upgrades after losing in the postseason.
Stastny had 25 goals last season and he played his best year on offense since he was a rookie and he could be an option for the Rangers if he opts to leave the Avalanche. Stastny is in his prime and he is 28 years old and he could be a prime target for teams if the Avalanche can't keep him. Ryan Miller is the top goalie on the market and this comes after he was traded to the Blues from Buffalo.
Marian Gaborik made himself a ton of money by being the leading scorer in the playoffs this year and he could be a prime target for teams. Vanek was very good this season and he was traded as well and now he could be looking to cash in. Callahan is coming into free agency after being traded to Tampa Bay from the Rangers and now he could command a nice chunk of change on the open market. The Rangers made it to the Cup and did not win and with a number of free agents on the roster, they have some moves to make.
