The NHL free agency process has been deficient ever since the introduction of salary caps, contracts, players rights, and most recently the depression. Overall, it’s just not what it used to be. The players in the free agent pool have become gradually weaker, as you mainly find old overpaid players. The main reason for this is that post lockout, the NHL has been dominated by young players fresh out of the draft. Young guys are seen at the top of the statistics page. And when these young guys produce, they are locked up to extreme contracts by there teams, some expanding over a decade. Providing everything goes well, and the player is not a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, you can expect the player to be locked up again, therefore not making an appearance on the FA list until they are in their 40s. In that case some will retire, some go to the KHL, some go to the KHL and return to the NHL, and some are just too loyal to their past team so are basically considered restricted. Last year, the crop was the weakest in recent memory, and this year, although stronger is satisfactory. The NHL free agency process has been deficient ever since the introduction of salary caps, contracts, players rights, and most recently the depression. Overall, it’s just not what it used to be. The players in the free agent pool have become gradually weaker, as you mainly find old overpaid players. The main reason for this is that post lockout, the NHL has been dominated by young players fresh out of the draft. Young guys are seen at the top of the statistics page. And when these young guys produce, they are locked up to extreme contracts by there teams, some expanding over a decade. Providing everything goes well, and the player is not a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets, you can expect the player to be locked up again, therefore not making an appearance on the FA list until they are in their 40s. In that case some will retire, some go to the KHL, some go to the KHL and return to the NHL, and some are just too loyal to their past team so are basically considered restricted. Last year, the crop was the weakest in recent memory, and this year, although stronger is satisfactory. Today we look at some centres that will be available this summer. This post will be followed up by the Left and Right Wingers, Defensemen, and Goalies in the coming days.

DAYMOND LANGKOW (Phoenix Coyotes)

2011-2012 Season: 73 GMS, 11G, 19A, 30PTS, 14PIMS, -4. Cap Hit: 4.5 Million

After only playing four games in 10-11 for the Calgary Flames, Langkow responded with a 30 point campaign for the Phoenix Coyotes. He is 35 years old and certainly past his prime after recording a 77 point season with the Calgary Flames in 06-07, and had 50 point campaigns from 99-00 to 08-09. His numbers have steadily declined since then. In addition to the Flames and Coyotes, he has also played for the the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Philadelphia Flyers. Look for him to be taken by a team needing veteran presence up front.

JARRET STOLL (Los Angeles Kings)
2011-2012 Season: 78 GMS, 6G, 15A, 21PTS, 60PIMS, +2. Cap Hit: 3.6 Million

Jarrett Stoll is a 209 lb power forward who recorded 21PTS this season. He and Dustin Penner, both similar players had extreme down years for the Kings this season, a reason why they had to bring in Jeff Carter to get them back in the playoffs. He is almost 30 years old, and might take advantage of a new setting. The Kings will probably not resign him because of the cap needed to pay for Carter’s contract. He had a career high 68 points with the Edmonton Oilers in 05-06. Look for him to be signed by a team needing an everyday player with size.

JOCHEN HECHT (Buffalo Sabres)

2011-2012 Season: 22 GMS, 4G, 4A, 8PTS, 6PIMS, +1. Cap Hit: 3.525 Million

Hecht has sustained three concussions in the period of one year, and hopes to get his career back on track after a lost season with the Buffalo Sabres in which he only played 22 games. In those games, he recorded a total of 8 eight points and played a minuscule role. He has publicly voiced that he wishes to return to the Sabres. He will most likely be signed by them, but if not, the 35 year old might explore the market before going to play in Europe or even retiring. A team lacking depth may give him a shot, but another concussion would most likely end his career.

OLLI JOKINEN (Calgary Flames)

2011-2012 Season: 82 GMS, 23G, 38A, 61PTS, 54PIMS, -12. Cap Hit: 3 Million

Olli Jokinen is one of the best free agents available and certainly the top centre. He spent the past season with the Calgary Flames, gathering 61 PTS in 82 GMS. He had career seasons with the Florida Panthers from 05-06 to 07-08, playing in all 82 games in each season, while scoring 89, 91, and 71 points respectively. He is 33 years old and a shootout specialist. Look for him to be signed for 3-4 years by a team needing some additional scoring. He might even return to the Calgary Flames as he has enjoyed success with them.

JIRI HUDLER (Detroit Red Wings)

2011-2012 Season: 81 GMS, 25G, 25A, 50PTS, 42PIMS, +10. Cap Hit: 2. 875 Million

Jiri Hudler returned from a brief stint with the Moscow Dynamo of the KHL to record a combined 87 points with the Red Wings in the past two seasons. This past season, he had a career high in goals and was second on Detroit in that category despite being seventh among Wings forwards in terms of ice time per game. He turned 28 earlier this year, and still has many years ahead of him. Although he was drafter by the Red Wings nearly 10 years ago, and Detroit has been the only NHL he has played for, he might seek out money in the free agent market. Look for the Czech to be signed by a contender in need more secondary scoring.

JASON ARNOTT (St. Louis Blues)                                                                                                 2011-2012 SEASON: 72 GMS, 17G, 17A, 34PTS, 26PIMS, +13. Cap Hit: 2.8 Million. Age: 38.

SAMUEL PAHLSSON (Columbus Blue Jackets/Vancouver Canucks)                                                                     2011-2012 SEASON: 80 GMS, 4G, 13A, 17PTS, 34PIMS, -2. Cap Hit: 2.650 Million. Age: 34.

SAKU KOIVU (Anaheim Ducks)                                                                                                     2011-2012 SEASON: 74GMS, 11G, 27A, 38PTS, 50PIMS, +7. Cap Hit: 2.5 Million. Age: 37.

PAUL GAUSTAD (Buffalo Sabres/Nashville Predators)                                                                             2011-2012 SEASON: 70GMS, 7G, 14A, 21PTS, 76PIMS, -1. Cap Hit: 2.3 Million. Age: 30.

CHRIS KELLY (Boston Bruins)
2011-2012 SEASON: 82GMS, 20G, 19A, 39PTS, 41PIMS, +33. Cap Hit: 2.125 Million. Age: 31.

JAY MCCLEMENT (Colorado Avalanche)  80GMS, 17PTS. Cap Hit: 1.45 Million. Age: 29.

TORREY MITCHELL (San Jose Sharks)  76GMS, 19PTS. Cap Hit: 1.4 Million. Age: 27.

BRENDAN MORRISON (Calgary Flames/Chicago Blackhawks) 39GMS, 11PTS. Cap Hit: 1.25 Million. Age: 36.

KYLE BRODZDIAK (Minnesota Wild) 82GMS, 44PTS. Cap Hit: 1.15 Million. Age: 27.

GREGORY CAMPBELL (Boston Bruins) 78GMS, 16PTS. Cap Hit: 1.1 Million. Age: 28.

DOMINIC MOORE (Tampa Bay Lightning/San Jose Sharks) 79GMS, 25PTS. Cap Hit: 1.1 Million. Age: 31.

JIM SLATER (Winnipeg Jets) 78GMS, 21PTS. Cap Hit: 1 Million. Age: 29.

DANIEL WINNIK (Colorado Avalanche/San Jose Sharks) 84GMS(trade), 23PTS. Cap Hit: 950 Thousand. Age: 27.

ERIK CHRISTENSEN (New York Rangers/Minnesota Wild) 49GMS, 12PTS. Cap Hit: 925 Thousand. Age: 28.

BRANDON PRUST (New York Rangers) 82GMS, 156PIMS. Cap Hit: 800 Thousand. Age: 27.

ALREADY RESIGNED

TUOMO RUUTU (Carolina Hurricanes) 4 Years/19 Million
MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI (Toronto Maple Leafs) 5 Years/27.5 Million
FRANS NIELSEN (New York Islanders) 4 Years/11 Million

Overall, although these players don’t have the potential to really change a team, many are good depth pieces to have, and for a few players on this list, there is not a team that wouldn’t want them.