Last year it was Tim Brent and Anthony Stewart; two veteran minor leaguers who fought hard the year before and were rewarded with a two year guaranteed contract.
We’ve got five players that are in the same boat. In what we're about to discuss, the one common thing you’re about to hear is a one-way contract. That guarantees that player the same salary (a minimum 550k)
whether they play in the NHL or AHL. The following players are some of the top forwards available for about 600k-750k per year (very cap friendly). Remember this, a good fourth line in the long run can take you deeper into the playoffs, most of these guys can move up if necessary and play on a third line.
Zenon Konopka
Can the annual penalty minute leader in the NHL finally get a two year, one way contract? For three straight years (Tampa, NY Islanders & Ottawa) he has gotten his one way deal. These three teams plus others could use Konopka; a cheaper alternative option for the fourth line. He is annually a top face off man in the league, which assures him he’ll be back somewhere in the NHL.
His stock went up late in they year, when Senators coach Paul Maclean trusted him enough to be in the playoffs. Zenon rewarded Maclean with two timely assists in six games, in the last 5 games, Konopka’s faceoff percentage was 75, 73.3, 83.3, 63.2 & 77.8; that statistic is why he’s worth every penny a team will give him.
Scott Parse
It has been a long and painful two years for Scott Parse. A large number of injuries have seen him play only 14 games in the last two seasons. Out of the players mentioned in this blog, he has the most potential to become a top nine forward. The unfortunate thing is this, because of prone to injury Parse might need to accept a two-way contract, or even a pre-season tryout. This offseason and the amount of time he has to train and get into “game shape” will dictate where his career will go.
Stephen Gionta
No one will ever mistake Stephen Gionta for his brother Brian. But there is no questioning the career minor leaguer has opened NHL teams eyes for his potential as a preeminent fourth line forward. Can the Devils re-sign Gionta, or will he join Brian in Montreal. I would suggest Stephen to take a contract that gives him term and/or a guaranteed one way contract, no matter where that might land him.
Joey Crabb
Joey Crabb has become one of my favourites on the Toronto Maple Leafs. Why you ask? You know each and every night he’s going to give you 110%. Has the gritty forward turned enough heads around the league, to make them pay attention to him? As a bottom sixer, Crabb is more of proven forward during the regular season compared to Gionta. This past year Crabb scored 11 times with 26 points in 67 games. He’s likely not to get what he wants from the Maple Leafs, so look for him to move anywhere in order for him to get his first one-way NHL contract.
Keith Aucoin
Aucoin is a premier point producer in the American Hockey League, so much so he’s averaged better than a point a game in the AHL since 2005-06. At 33, he’ll never accomplish that in the NHL, but like Gionta and Crabb will accept any offer that will guarantee him one salary whether it be in the NHL/AHL.
Half of the NHL clubs nowadays have a smaller skilled forward on the fourth line, who can play on the second unit on the powerplay; this is where Aucoin might fit in. He likely could be a late summer signing, instead of being signed right away on July 1.
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