Why is this man worth $9.5 Million Per Year? And why is he playing in the United States?

Calder Trophy Winner Time All Star 3-Time Hart Trophy Winner (MVP) – 8 th player ever to win 3 times 1-Time Art Ross Trophy Winner (Most Points) 4-Time Richard Trophy Winner (Most Goals)

Boston Bruins - Finish Last Season – Best record in the Eastern Conference, lost in the 2 nd round of the playoffs. Team Status – Perennial Stanley Cup favorite Current Payroll – $66.2 Million Cap Space – $6.8 Million Strengths – Defense, Goaltending, Penalty Killing, Depth, Leadership Weaknesses – Elite Scoring, Faceoffs Needs – Top Six Right Wing,

Buffalo Sabres - Finish Last Season – Last in the Eastern Conference Team Status – Rebuilding Current Payroll – $46.5 Million Cap Space – $26.5 Million Strengths – Young Defensemen Weaknesses – Everything Needs – Top Six Scoring Forwards, Veteran Defensemen, Starting Goalie, Depth

Calgary Flames- Finish Last Season – 2 nd to last in the Western Conference Team Status – Proud Franchise trying to finish a rebuild Current Payroll – $49.9 Million Cap Space – $23.1 Million Strengths – Very good defensively, Power-Play Weaknesses – Playmaking center, Penalty Kill, Speed Needs – Playmaking 1 st Line Center, Bottom Six Right

Chicago Blackhawks- Finish Last Season – 5 th Place in the Western Conference, Lost in the Conference Finals Team Status – Perennial Stanley Cup Contender Current Payroll – $63.6 Million Cap Space – $9.4 Million Strengths – Great scoring team, great power-play, Leadership, Faceoffs Weaknesses – Penalty Kill, Goaltending Needs – Elite Goaltender, Bottom Six Left Wing

Dallas Stars- Finish Last Season – 8 th in the Western Conference, Lost in the First Round of the Playoffs Team Status – Poor team on the rise. Current Payroll – $50.3 Million Cap Space – $22.7 Million Strengths – First Line Scoring, Power-Play, Speed Weaknesses – Defense, Forward Depth, Power-Play Needs – Two Defensemen (One being top pairing), Top Six Right Wing

Los Angeles Kings- Finish Last Season – 6 th Place in the Western Conference, Stanley Cup Champions Team Status – Won Two Stanley Cups in the last three years Current Payroll - $61.4 Million Cap Space – $11.6 Million Strengths – Defensive Forwards, Penalty Killing, Leadership Weaknesses – Power-Play Needs – Bottom Six Left Wing, Defensive-Defenseman

Nashville Predators- Finish Last Season – 10 th in the Western Conference Team Status – Small-Market Team Looking to get back into the playoffs Current Payroll - $44.3 Million Cap Space – $18.7 Million Strengths – Strong Defenders, Defensive Forward Depth Weaknesses – Backup Goaltending, Scoring Forward Depth Needs – Backup Goalie, 2 nd or 3 rd line Left Wing

Montreal Canadiens- Finish Last Season – 4 th in the Eastern Conference, Lost in the Conference Finals Team Status – Perennial Playoff Team Current Payroll - $64.1 Million Cap Space – $8.9 Million Strengths – Goaltending, Power-Play, Defense Weaknesses – Secondary Scoring, Faceoffs, Toughness Needs – 1 st line center, Top Six Right Wing

Tampa Bay Lightning- Finish Last Season – 3 rd in the Eastern Conference, lost in the 1 st round of the playoffs Team Status – Up and coming contender Current Payroll – 61.8 Million Cap Space – 11.2 Million Strengths – Forward Scoring, Depth Weaknesses – Little depth on Defense Needs – Top pairing defenseman, Penalty Killing defensemen

Toronto Maple Leafs- Finish Last Season – 12 th in the Eastern Conference Team Status – Proud Franchise that has made the playoffs only once in the last ten years. Current Payroll - $61.3 Million Cap Space – $11.7 Million Strengths – Offensive Defenseman, Scoring Right Wings Weaknesses – Goaltending, Toughness, Playmaking, Power-Play Needs – Playmaking Center, Defensive Defenseman, Playmaking Center,

Washington Capitals- Finish Last Season – 9 th in the Eastern Conference Team Status – Stanley Cup Contender that has fallen out of the playoffs Current Payroll - $56.8 Million Cap Space – $16.2 Million Strengths – Power-Play, Goaltending, Penalty Killing Weaknesses – Secondary Scoring Needs – 2 nd or 3 rd line winger who can score

Antti Niemi Position – Goalie Age – 31 Stats – GAA.913 Sv% Skills – You are a very athletic goalie, who’s been a longtime starter and has already won a Stanley Cup Weaknesses – You have a tendency to lose big games. Last Salary – $4.0 Million Role/Considerations – You want to remain a starting goaltender New Salary - New Team -

Viktor Fasth Position – Goalie Age – 32 Stats – 7-7, 2.73 GAA,.917 Sv% Skills – You were a star in Europe before coming to North America. You are an average to below average starter or a great backup. You are a good positional goaltender. Weaknesses – You are not good at stopping plays that require you to move side to side. Your age is starting to catch up to you. Last Salary – $2.9 Million Role/Considerations – Would like to remain a starter, but would serve as a backup on a Cup contender.

Jonathan Bernier Position – Goalie Age – 26 Stats – 26-26, 2.67 GAA,.923 Sv% Skills – You are very good at controlling rebounds, and play aggressively. Your entering the prime of your career. Weaknesses – Your aggressiveness sometimes gets you beat by teams that move the puck well. Last Salary – $3.4 Million Role/Considerations – Will only take a starters job for more than $5 Million per season

Mike Green Position – Defense Age – 29 Stats – 5G, 31A Skills – You are a very good top pairing offensive defenseman. Has a good shot and can run a teams power-play. Weaknesses – Has missed many games over the last three years due to injury. Is only average at playing defense Last Salary – $6.0 Million Role/Considerations – 1 st or 2 nd pairing defenseman capable of running a team’s power-play. Wants to play for a Stanley Cup Contender

Johnny Boychuk Position – Defense Age – 31 Stats – 7G, 23A Skills – You are a good offensive defenseman with a right handed shot. You are capable of running a power-play unit Weaknesses – Your offensive instincts sometimes leave your goalie vulnerable. Last Salary – $3.6 Million Role/Considerations – You will accept a 1 st or 2 nd pairing role with a chance to run the teams powerplay. You will not sign for less than $4 Million

Zbynek Michalek Position – Defense Age – 32 Stats – 2G, 8A Skills – You are the best defensive defender available; and great penalty killer. You will make any team better. Weaknesses – Limited scoring ability Last Salary – $4.0 Million Role/Considerations – Will accept an offer from any team that needs help killing penalties.

Justin Schultz Position – Defense Age – 24 Stats – 11G, 22A Skills – You are a great puck mover, and can generate offense Weaknesses – You are a very raw talent that has not yet developed Last Salary – $3.7 Million Role/Considerations – Will not sign for less, and wants to play for a team that has good veteran leadership to help you excel.

Cody Franson Position – Defense Age – 27 Stats – 6G, 26A Skills – You are in the prime of your career, and about to reach all-star status. You are great in moving the puck forward and generating scoring chances Weaknesses – You have mental lapses on defense which lead to goals against Last Salary – $3.3 Million Role/Considerations – Wants at least $6 Million, and a top pairing role.

Mike Fisher Position – Center Age – 35 Stats - Skills – You are an average secondary scorer, also good at playing defense. You can play on the power-play Weaknesses – You are not an elite scorer, you’ve missed a lot of time with injuries in the last two years. Last Salary – $4.2 Million Role/Considerations – You want a top six role, and are willing to play in all situations

Marcus Johansson Position – Center Age – 24 Stats – 8G, 36A Skills – Good secondary scoring option for teams needing center depth. Weaknesses – Not very big or interested in being physical or playing defense Last Salary – $2.2 Million Role/Considerations – Looking for a top six role that will allow you some power- play time

Derek Stepan Position – Center Age – 25 Stats – 18G, 27A Skills – Great at both ends of the ice. You really take your role playing defense seriously. You can play in all situations Weaknesses – You don’t have superstar scoring upside. Last Salary – $3.8 Million Role/Considerations – Wants a top line role with a salary over $5 Million

Alex Galchenyuk Position – Center Age – 21 Skills – You speed and skill is amazing. You are a scoring threat every time you are on the ice. Very good playmaker Weaknesses – Still a developing talent that needs to get stronger and better defensively Last Salary – $1.2 Million Role/Considerations – Wants a top six role with a salary over $3 Million. Will only play for a Stanley Cup Contender

Shawn Horcoff Position – Center Age – 36 Stats – 7G, 13A Skills – Good at killing penalties, great at faceoffs Weaknesses – You don’t score much and aren’t getting any younger Last Salary – $4.2 Million Role/Considerations – Will sign for as low as $2 Million. Is ok with a bottom six role as a penalty killer

Jiri Tlusty Position – Center Age – 27 Stats – 16G, 14A Skills – Good speed and toughness Weaknesses – Is not a great passer, not good at faceoffs, not much of a playmaker Last Salary – $2.9 Million Role/Considerations – Will do well in a secondary scoring role maybe with the 2 nd or 3 rd line.

Martin St. Louis Position – Right Wing Age – 40 Stats – 30G, 39A Skills – You are a top six playmaking winger, who is good on the power-play Weaknesses – You are getting old and injuries are a concern Last Salary – $5.6 Million Role/Considerations – You wont take a pay-cut and want to play for a Stanley Cup Contender

Chris Stewart Position – Right Wing Age – 27 Stats – 15G, 17A Skills – You are a big tough player who can kill penalties and provide toughness to a team. You are decent scoring around the net. Weaknesses – You don’t score much and are not a playmaker Last Salary – $4.2 Million Role/Considerations – Want to play for a team that could use your toughness. You are willing to take a paycut to do so.

Vladimir Tarasenko Position – Right Wing Age – 21 Stats – 21G, 22A Skills – You are the best player available. You are a great scorer and playmaker. You dominate on the power-play Weaknesses – None Last Salary – $1.8 Million Role/Considerations – Will accept nothing short of a first line role with a salary of at least $7 Million

Danny Briere Position – Right Wing Age – 37 Stats – 13G, 12A Skills – Decent playmaker who can provide some scoring depth for a team Weaknesses – You’ve never been very tough and your age is limiting your skating ability Last Salary – $4.0 Million Role/Considerations – Will accept any role with a salary of at least $1 Million

Justin Williams Position – Right Wing Age – 33 Stats – 19G, 24A Skills – Good secondary scoring and leadership. Can play in any situation including the penalty kill. Weaknesses – You are not much of a playmaker nor are you very fast. Last Salary – $3.6 Million Role/Considerations – Will play in any role, especially for a team that needs some leadership. Will only play for a Stanley Cup contender. You are willing to take a paycut.

Mikkel Boedker Position – Right Wing Age – 25 Stats – 19G, 23A Skills – Great skater with good speed. You are a pretty good playmaker. You have the potential to do more. Weaknesses – You don’t play well in the defensive zone Last Salary – $2.5 Million Role/Considerations – You want a top six role and a salary of $3 Million or more

Mats Zuccarello Position – Left Wing Age – 27 Stats – 19G, 40A Skills – You are a good playmaker, you can contribute on the power-play Weaknesses – You are not quite a 1 st line player, and it not all that interested in playing defense Last Salary – $3.8 Million Role/Considerations – Wants a top six role in the Eastern Conference

Curtis Glencross Position – Left Wing Age – 32 Stats – 12G, 12A Skills – Responsible on defense and in killing penalties. Very tough player Weaknesses – You are not a very good scorer Last Salary – $2.5 Million Role/Considerations – Will accept any role on any team in the Western Conference.

Carl Hagelin Position – Left Wing Age – 24 Stats – 17G, 16A Skills – You are a very fast and creative player. You are all offense all the time. Weaknesses – Zero interest in playing defense or killing penalties Last Salary – $2.2 Million Role/Considerations – You want a top six scoring role.

Matt Beleskey Position – Left Wing Age – 27 Stats – 9G, 15A Skills – Good secondary scoring role player. Decent penalty killer. All goal scoring. Weaknesses – Is not creative enough to play on the power-play, and it not much of a play maker Last Salary – $1.4 Million Role/Considerations – Will accept any role in the western conference making over $2 Million

Brendan Morrow Position – Left Wing Age – 36 Stats - Skills – Good veteran leader, who can play some bottom six minutes Weaknesses – Your career is nearly over. You don’t skate well anymore and rarely score Last Salary – $1.2 Million Role/Considerations – Will take any contract.