Why Not Take a Shot at a RFA?

Last year, the Oilers got vindictive and we saw GM Kevin Lowe tendering offer sheets last summer to Buffalo's Thomas Vanek and Anaheim's Dustin Penner. The Sabres panicked and signed Vanek to a way-too-big deal because they were afraid of the good will lost in the city when Chris Drury and Danny Briere skated away.

Some in the NHL were shouting about the Oilers playing dirty pool, but in a way, doesn't that send the message to the Oilers fans--who had just seen Ryan Smyth leave the province--that the team was trying to get better, faster? So what if it ruffles some feathers?

The Isles are in a pretty good position this off-season. The team is pretty much set on defense (another puck-mover would be nice) and in net with Rick DiPietro, of course. But if you take a look at the list of restricted free agents, you'll find two very interesting names and each would fill a need in a most desperate way.

First off, Jeff Carter. Oh, wouldn't it be sweet for the Isles to land a Flyer just coming into his prime? Carter totally came of age while Mike Richards was out injured and made himself very, very valuable. The Flyers have committed large dollars to a host of players on the team already and may not be able to match anything Carter might find this offseason.

Think about it. If you're Carter and you see long-term deals and long-term dollars in place for Kimmo Timonen; Mike Richards; Daniel Briere; and Scott Hartnell, do you wonder where you fit in? Also, the Flyers manager, Paul Holmgren, is going to have to find dollars for guys like Braydon Coburn and Scottie Upshall. He's got goalie Martin Biron for a couple more and he is going to have to find out--soon--whether Biron is the guy who can take them where they need to be.

Suffice to say that Carter is going to be a very attractive restricted free agent because of what the Flyers have already committed in salary going forward. It would be great to see Garth Snow swoop in and make the guy an offer.

The other name that jumps out is that of Washington defenseman Mike Green. Green, who led the NHL in goals by a defenseman (18) this past year, is going to be wined and dined this summer for sure. He has a different deal in Washington than Carter does in Philly in that Green could decide to hitch his wagon long-term to the Ovechkin Express and see how that ride turns out. My guess is that he won't be dissatisfied. Washington has no long-term deals on the books aside from Alex's mega-deal so the Caps should be in a good position to make good for the NHL most exciting young defenseman.

But, you know, we can dream. He does fill that glaring need on the Islanders blue line.