The Night before Free Agency....

Arrrgrhhhhhh......moving is the absolute worst thing a human being can do to itself......alright, maybe I'm being a little ridiculous.....but it's horrible.....I am never moving again....(quote me on this)

Anyway.....at noon tomorrow, the NHL's version of the day after Thanksgiving begins. Instead of GM's like Garth Snow, Glen Sather, Dale Tallon etc heading out to Roosevelt Field....they most likely will be dialing their fax machines to each of the top names on this year's free agent list. Daniel Briere, Chris Drury, Ryan Smyth, Sheldon Souray, Scott Gomez and Paul Kariya should all hear their cell phones ring tomorrow probably simultaniously.

Lets take a look....

Daniel Briere

Briere found his game in Buffalo a few years back after the Phoenix Coyotes gave up on him. Now in the "new NHL" a guy of Briere's size and speed is no longer a liability. Has rumors have stated, Briere was insulted by the Sabres latest....(5 years @ $25 was pretty insulting)....Briere will probably see multiple $7 million + offers over the next 2 days. My guess....he signs with LA as they are desperate for a player of Briere's caliber.

Chris Drury

Drury is a player who displays a rare trait.....(his game reaches another level when times are desperate). Drury is consistently a 30 goal scorer....a definite Captain....and proven clutch performer. He like his former teammate Daniel Briere....will receive multiple $7 million offers. I would have to say the logical landing point for him is the Rangers as he grew up rooting for them as a kid. San Jose, Los Angeles and the Islanders are all known to have significant interest in him as well.

Ryan Smyth

After coming over in a last second trade deadline shocker....Ryan Smyth was given a hero's welcome. Islander fans chanted his name in the parking lot, from their seats, on line for the men's room! Smyth has stated that he enjoyed his time on the Island....but as a first time free agent, he's stated that he was looking forward to hearing all the offers and seeing what would be the best fit for both his family and his desire to hoist the cup. I have no doubt that there will be many teams drooling at adding a player such as Smyth....someone who brings so much more that his 37 goals and 70 points show. He is a special player who contributes to your organization both on the bench, during practice, after practice and while he's on the ice. No one in the Canadian media gives any credience to the possibility that Smyth will stay with the Islanders....but I am going out on a whim....Smyth re-signs with the Islanders for 5 years and 6.5 per season. He becomes as popular as Rick DiPietro and retires one the all time fan favorites.

Jason Blake

Boy....has any fan base turned on a player as popluar as Jason Blake so quickly?? Blake who has had a huge following over the past few years.....has no been quickly dismissed by Islanders fans who have gone as far as calling him a puckhog. Now I always respected Blake's game....but you have to notice over the last 2 season or so....that he passes less an less and he loses the puck while trying to dance around 3 guys. Blake scored 40 goals last season and will definitely get higher offers than what Isles GM Garth Snow last offered. At age 34 Blake will most likely get a few 3 year offers and I see him sigining with either Minnesota or Toronto. The Leafs would have to be the favorite since the Ryan Smyth's and Chris Drury's will be priced way too high.

Scott Gomez

Gomez is a very intriguing player. He posses's every tool a hockey coach would want. Blazing speed, excellent vision, a deadly shot and strong defenseive skills. Problem with Gomez....as opposed with Jason Blake...is Gomez has never scored more than 33 goals....and he only did that once.....(19 was his previous high)....If I had to guess....I would say he re-signs with the Devils for $5 million per.

Paul Kariya

Kariya is no spring chicken....at age 33....but coming off a strong season playing for the Predators He'll be a commodity. Kariya was a college teammate of Isles GM Garth Snow and would be a good fit for the Islanders. Expect to see multiple offers for Kariya....but I think he comes to Long Island for a 3 year stay.

I'll have another blog posted tomorrow after the aftermath of day one.

Have a great Sunday!

Tony