Steve Yzerman admits that July 1 is a difficult day for general managers. They know they will have to overpay – in money and in years – to land free agents.
The veteran GM and Hall of Fame player said the sting is worse in years like this one, when “there aren’t a lot of players out there.”
That’s good news for defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Trevor Daley, forwards Alexander Radulov, Justin Williams and Nick Bonino, and goaltenders Brian Elliott and Jonathan Bernier.
They are going to get paid. The salary cap rising to $75 million, holes to fill on teams around the league and a relatively shallow pool of talent pretty much guarantees it. And once free agency begins on Saturday, a few veterans could surprisingly be free to sign anywhere, too.
Not long ago, it seemed a sure thing that the Sharks would bring back Joe Thornton, the Coyotes would extend Shane Doan and the Panthers would re-sign Jaromir Jagr. Now all could be going elsewhere along with Patrick Marleau after 19 seasons in San Jose.