Paul Stastny is one of the headliners of the 2014 free agent class. The furious action gets underway tomorrow at 12 noon.
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It’s already been an interesting offseason. With the cap only going up to a ceiling of $69 million, teams have been making tough decisions. Already we’ve seen some sacrifice players to clear room in anticipation of tomorrow’s July 1 Free Agent Frenzy.

Most notable have been the Canadiens who are reportedly shopping popular defensive defenseman Josh Gorges. They asked him to waive his no-trade clause but he rejected a deal to arch nemesis Toronto.

“I want people to know that I never wanted to leave Montreal,” he told Dave Stubbs of The Montreal Gazette and J-F Chaumont of Le Journal de Montreal earlier today. “I have never asked for a trade – this is (general manager) Marc Bergevin‘s call. I am in shock.”

The 29-year old Gorges has four years remaining at an average cap hit of $3.9 million per season. He might not be the only cap casualty. Free agent defenseman Mike Weaver will hit the market tomorrow. It appears the vet who they added from Florida and played a strong role in their Conference Final appearance won’t be back.

In related news, the Canadiens sent Daniel Briere to Colorado in exchange for P.A. Parenteau and a sixth round pick. Parenteau is signed for two more years earning $4 million per season. He fell out of favor under Patrick Roy and will try to reestablish himself in Montreal. Briere enters the final year of his contract and also will make $4 million.

Of utmost importance, the Habs are focused on signing key restricted defenseman P.K. Subban. There’s no telling what he’ll make. We’re talking about one of the game’s top defensemen who has won a Norris. Montreal GM Marc Bergevin has no choice but to cut salary. It looks like it’ll hurt their blueline depth. Especially if Gorges departs.

Another team that’s been busy is Tampa Bay. Yesterday, they dealt Teddy Purcell to Edmonton for Sam Gagner. However, with a logjam at center and wanting to free up space for something big, they then shipped Gagner and B.J. Crombeen to Arizona for only a sixth round pick. GM Steve Yzerman wasn’t done also trading popular fourth liner Nate Thompson to Anaheim for fourth round and seventh round picks in 2015. In doing so, he cleared approximately $5.95 million. The Lightning picked up $1.6 million of Gagner’s salary which pays him $4.6 million. The Coyotes are charged with $3.2 million for 2014-15 and 2015-16.

A team that also used their compliance buyout on Ryan Malone and re-signed Ryan Callahan and dealt for Jason Garrison needed to subtract salary. According to capgeek.com, they’re currently at $63.63 million. That might leave room for one big move. I wouldn’t be shocked if they add a righty defenseman with Anton Stralman a possible fit. Matt Nisknanen might be a little out of their price range.

From a Rangers standpoint, it looks like they could be big losers. With Glen Sather firing away at UFA’s Brian Boyle, Dominic Moore, Benoit Pouliot, Stralman and to a lesser extent key Group II’s Derick Brassard, Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello, it’s painfully obvious that he’s sending a message. Either you’re with us or against us. With Slats putting an emphasis on winning over getting extra dollars, it’s their choice.

With Boyle honeymooning and disappointed to not even receive an offer, he’s gone. The dedicated checking forward and top penalty killer wants a bigger role and more money. He won’t get it here. Good luck to him. I just hope he doesn’t sign with a bitter rival. It also looks like Pouliot would prefer a longer term and higher salary which means after a breakout playing with Brassard and Zuccarello, he’s probably gone. There’s even uncertainty surrounding Dom Moore, who probably can get more years elsewhere. With Derek Dorsett sent to Vancouver, it’d be really sad to lose the whole fourth line.

The same could be echoed for Stralman, whose postseason will bring him a lot of suitors and money. With the Blueshirts already checking in with prospective Devil free agent Mark Fayne, it looks like they’ve decided they can’t afford Stralman. That would really be a shame because he became a fixture in our top four and surpassed Marc Staal in my book. While Staal was inconsistent, Stralman was arguably our second best defenseman trailing only Ryan McDonagh. If he does land out of town, he deserves it.

Over the weekend, the Sabres bought out Christian Ehrhoff making him another attractive option. The German skating defenseman is more than capable offensively and should have plenty of suitors including the Red Wings, who definitely are seeking a top four D. With Buffalo well below the cap floor, what exactly is the plan? They have to be in on someone. Though I do wonder if Matt Moulson would even consider returning when he can go elsewhere and play for a contender.

The Sabres also didn’t qualify Jamie McBain making him unrestricted. So a year after acquiring him and a 2013 second round pick from Carolina for Andrej Sekera, who turned in a big year Buffalo, McBain departs. One thing about GM Tim Murray, you never know what he’s thinking. It should be interesting to see what they do.

The Islanders are reportedly interested in Michael Del Zotto, who Nashville didn’t qualify. How far has the former Rangers number one pick fallen? It was in ’11-12 under John Tortorella that he set career highs in goals (10), assists (31), points (41) and plus/minus (20). Among the highlights, he scored the series clincher against the Capitals helping them reach the Conference Final. Since, he’s struggled with Alain Vigneault souring on him which led to Sather dealing Del Zotto for Kevin Klein. Klein was a solid contributor to the club’s run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Honestly, I don’t know what the future holds for Del Zotto. At 24, he’s clearly at a crossroads with Nashville GM David Poile throwing him under the bus by admitting there wasn’t a place for him on their roster. It’s amazing how far he’s fallen. If the Islanders can get him on a one-year deal, it might be worth the gamble. But would he really consider returning to New York to play there? If not, who will give him the chance?

When 12 PM hits tomorrow, the frenzy will be underway. NHL Network will air the furious action. Among the biggest names are Thomas Vanek, Paul Stastny, Moulson, Jarome Iginla, Ryan Miller, Martin Brodeur, Jonas Hiller, Niskanen, Stralman, Ehrhoff, Dan Boyle and Dave Bolland. Regarding some, buyer beware. Bolland especially if he thinks he’s worth $25 million over five years. Brad Richards, Mike Cammalleri, David Legwand, Mikhail Grabovski, Derek Roy, Radim Vrbata, Milan Michalek, Ales Hemsky, Daniel Alfredsson, Saku Koivu, Brian Gionta, Dany Heatley, Olli Jokinen, Lee Stempniak, Mike Ribeiro, Steve Ott, Steve Downie, Devin Setoguchi, Nikolai Kulemin, Stephane Robidas, Joni Pitkanen, Willie Mitchell, Brooks Orpik, Rotislav Klesla, Kyle Quincey, Evgeni Nabokov, Tim Thomas are all available.

Let the fireworks fly. Get your popcorn ready.