Nearly five dozen players will become unrestricted free agents on
July 1, and those who made it to the postseason know that
prospective employers have been watching. "At this time of year
you look for that intangible: Is he a winner?" says Sharks
general manager Dean Lombardi. "You want to see a player suck it
up and produce at crunch time."
Here's how five top free agents had shaped their future through
the early part of the playoffs.
Brett Hull, RW, Blues Though he had only 27 goals in 66
regular-season games, he played the best two-way hockey of his
career. He continued that in the playoffs: Through the first
five games he hadn't been on the ice for a goal against while
also producing three goals and three assists. Expect Hull, 33,
to get a three- or four-year deal at more than $6 million per
annum. Possible suitors: Blues, Blackhawks, Kings, Capitals.
Doug Gilmour, C, Devils He was New Jersey's best player and
only consistent offensive threat against the Senators in Round
1, scoring five times and setting up two other goals. His $3.55
million salary will very likely balloon this summer. Possible
suitors: Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Mighty Ducks.
Ron Francis, C, Penguins Despite being hounded by Canadiens
checking center Marc Bureau, Francis had one goal and five
assists in Pittsburgh's six-game first-round loss to Montreal.
The 35-year-old Francis, who earned a relatively modest $1.9
million in '97-98, showed his legs are still strong. Possible
suitors: Blues, Rangers.
The playoffs will help determine how Joseph and
others do as free agents.
(David E. Klutho)
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Curtis Joseph, G, Oilers For the second straight season he
helped the Oilers to a first-round upset, this year closing out
Edmonton's 4-3 series win over the Avalanche with back-to-back
shutouts. Then he had another whitewash in Game 2 of the
second-round series against the Stars. At 31, Joseph often
dominates when it counts. Expect him to double his $2.3 million
salary. Possible suitors: Flyers, Oilers.
Sean Burke, G, Flyers He hurt himself more in the postseason
than any other prospective free agent. Burke, 31, had a
league-worst .860 save percentage against the offensively
challenged Sabres in Philadelphia's five-game defeat. It's hard
to imagine a team giving Burke an increase on the $2.5 million
he made this year. Possible suitors: ?
Issue date: May 18, 1998
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