18 players who are giving the most bang for the buck

Henrik Zetterberg's stout two-way game makes him dirt cheap at $2.7 million. Dave Reginek/Getty Images

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Two thoughts came to mind when I learned on Thursday that the Blackhawks had signed Patrick Sharp to a four-year, $15.6 million extension. Value can be a pretty nebulous concept, and $3.9 million [Sharp's average salary beginning next season] sure doesn't go as far as it used to.

That's not a dig at Sharp, a hard-working, well-liked player who finally found a role and excelled in it with Chicago. The Hawks have identified the 26-year-old winger as part of their core and, despite a previous career high of 35 points, plan to pay him as such.

It's a situation that echoes many of the signings this season. Despite the constraints of the salary cap, general managers are throwing boatloads of cash at players whose potential casts a much more convincing light than their actual accomplishments. Other than last week's Alexander Ovechkin signing, many of this season's deals are being made with by GMs with fingers crossed and eyes cast heavenwards in the fervent hope that promise is realized...and that the cap keeps rising, just in case they need to cover their caboose for a mistake.

And that bring us back to value. Despite the drunken sailor spending of late, teams still have a very real limit on what they can pay overall. And that means getting contributions out of players on the dollar menu end of the scale.

To honor the players who are delivering the biggest bang for the buck, we present our first half All-Value Team.

Two points: Since we're looking strictly at this season's performance, the salaries listed below represent the player's 2007-08 paycheck, not the averaged cap hit. And since entry-level salaries are locked in at rock-bottom rates by the CBA rather than the shrewd skills of a parsimonious front office type, those players -- sorry Sid -- were excluded from consideration.

Here are the honorees (all stats as of 1/18):

First Unit

Center: Mike Ribeiro, Stars ($2.8 million)

The engine that drives the Dallas offense, Ribeiro (22 goals and 50 points in 46 games) plays a more mature game than he ever did with the Habs, but his most surprising skill may be his strength on the puck. He won't be as much of a bargain next season when his new five-year, $25 million deal kicks in.

Left wing: Henrik Zetterberg, Red Wings ($2.7 million)

He might be the most dangerous two-way player in the game. At 58 points in 43 games and a +18, he'd be a bargain at twice the price.

Right wing: Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa ($4.69 million)

Depending on the day of the week, the Senators captain (29 goals, 60 points, +15) might be the game's best player. If you think he looks good at this price, just wait until 2009-10. His salary drops to $3.8 million for the final three years of his contract.

Defenseman: Mike Komisarek, Canadiens ($1.5 million)

A monster in his own end, Komisarek leads the league in blocked shots (149) and ranks third in hits (154).

Defenseman: Brian Campbell, Sabres ($1.75 million)

Despite the team's struggles, Campbell is putting up career numbers (26 assists, 30 points) while bolstering his reputation as the most proficient offensive blueliner in the Eastern Conference.

Goaltender: Chris Osgood, Red Wings ($800,000)

Alright, he's looked like Chris Osbad since signing a new three-year deal earlier this month, but prior to applying the ink he was an absolute marvel. He won 19 of his first 22 games -- let that sink in for a moment -- and still boasts a league-leading 1.95 GAA.

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