NHL

GOING GREEN

As GMs gear up for the start of free agency, let the buyers beware: Quick upgrades won't come cheap.
By E.J. Hradek

In the post-lockout, salary cap NHL, teams are locking up young core players for the long haul. Check out the deals signed by the Caps' Alex Ovechkin (13 years, $124M) and Philly's Mike Richards (12 years, $69M). So when the free agent window opens on July 1, only a few in-their-prime impact skaters will be available. "When demand exceeds supply, prices go up," says former Flames GM Craig Button. With this simple economic premise in mind, here are five soon-to-be-happy players.

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MARIAN HOSSA, RW
2007-08 Salary: $7M

WHAT'S HE BRING?
If the 29-year-old Slovakian doesn't re-sign with the Pens, he'll be the best available player. "It's not even close," Button says. Hossa's playoff performance (22 points in 18 games) silenced critics once and for all about his postseason cojones9and certainly didn't hurt his sticker price, which could climb to $8M per. Interested suitors should have a fast, smart pivot9that Crosby kid spoiled him9to get the four-time All-Star the biscuit between the dots.

WHO'S INTERESTED?
The rival Bruins and Canadiens will lead the chase for the sniper.

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RYAN MALONE, LW
2007-08 Salary: $1.45M

WHAT'S HE BRING?
The 6'4", 224-pound power forward, a Steel Town native and son of former Penguin Greg Malone, picked the right time to net a career-best 27 goals. He finished with a flourish, scoring 13 points in his last 17 regular-season games. Malone, 28, skates well for a big man, but Pens GM Ray Shero needs cap space to sign Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal long term.

WHO'S INTERESTED?
Malone spent his college days at Minnesota's St. Cloud State, and GM Doug Risebrough would love to add a talented, physical wing to the Wild roster.

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DAN ELLIS, G
2007-08 Salary: $500K

WHAT'S HE BRING?
After toiling for three seasons in Dallas' minor league system, Ellis, 27, made the most of his opportunity with the Predators, to the tune of a 23–10–3 record with a .924 SP and six shutouts. His stock soared even higher with a sensational performance in a first-round playoff loss to the Wings. In that six-game series, he averaged 40 saves a night.

WHO'S INTERESTED?
If he doesn't re-up with the Preds, who'd love to have him back, Ellis will look good to several teams with net issues, including the Senators, Blues and Kings.

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BRIAN CAMPBELL, D
2007-08 Salary: $1.75M

WHAT'S HE BRING?
Sharks GM Doug Wilson seems intent on re-signing his marquee trade-deadline acquisition to a long-term deal. But the 29-year-old Campbell will first explore his options. His speed and puck-moving skills can ignite a team's transition game and boost its power play. Those are the types of hard-to-find skills962-point D's don't exactly grow on trees9that make teams overpay.

WHO'S INTERESTED?
The Rangers and Devils will be among a large group of suitors. They'd better be thinking $24M or so over four years.

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WADE REDDEN, D
2007-08 Salary: $6.5M

WHAT'S HE BRING?
The 6'2", 208-pound defenseman could have left the Sens last season but refused to waive his no-trade clause. Now the club just wants him gone. At his best, the 31-year-old Redden is a steady two-way defender who can work in all game situations. But during his past two seasons, his offensive productivity dropped from 50 to 38 points.

WHO'S INTERESTED?
Several clubs think all he needs after 11 seasons in Ottawa is a change of pace. The two-time All-Star's experience makes him a good fit for the Hawks' young blue line.

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