2013 All-Bargain Free Agent Team

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Yesterday we looked at the list of players vastly overpaid when they were rewarded with free agent contracts. Today we will look at the all-bargain team. Players who were signed for decent contracts for what they should be able to produce. Some of them might be from one year deals for players with something to prove, or simply wanting to play in a certain market.

Jun 5, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Jarome Iginla (12) keeps the puck away from Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) during the first period in game three of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Here are the 6 members of my 2013 All-Bargain team from early on in free agency.

GOALIE

Jun 28, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Ray Emery (30) during the 2013 Stanley Cup championship celebration at Grant Park in Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Ray Emery – Philadelphia Flyers (1 year, $1.65M)

As a backup to Corey Crawford, Emery had an outstanding 17-1 record, helping Chicago to the President’s Trophy. He was stuck on the bench througout the entire playoff run. Emery signed a one year, “prove yourself” deal, which will be the second time the Flyers have given him this opportunity. The first go-around ended with the hip injury from which he was not expected to recover. This time around he is both grown up and healthy and will compete with Steve Mason for the starting job. If he plays like he did in Chicago, he could be the low-priced answer to some of the Flyers’ woes.

DEFENSEMAN

Mar 30, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Jeff Schultz (55) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. Capitals beat the Sabres 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Schultz – Los Angeles Kings (1 year, $700,000)

With the departure of Rob Scuderi to Pittsburgh, the Kings brought in the steady Schultz, who was miscast in the run and gun Capitals lineup. He isn’t going to replace Scuderi’s 20+ minutes per game, but he is good for 15-16 minutes and can play up to 20 on nights where it is needed.

DEFENSEMAN

March 15, 2012; Tampa FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Komisarek (8) shoots during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Komisarek – Carolina Hurricanes (1 year, $700,000)

While Komisarek couldn’t live up to the $4M salary he was paid in Toronto, he is still a capable NHL defenseman and will serve like an assistant coach on the ice. Without the burden of a big salary and the expectations that come with it, Komisarek will be a nice surprise for the Hurricanes.

FORWARD

Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Michal Handzus (26) hoists the Stanley Cup after game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. The Blackhawks won 3-2 to win the series four games to two. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Michal Handzus – Chicago Blackhawks (1 year, $1M)

Handzus is getting up there in age, but proved during the playoffs that he has the versatility to play almost every spot in the lineup, even as high as the second line when needed. For a cool $1M, Joel Quenneville will love having that type of option on his bench.

FORWARD

Jun 8, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Viktor Stalberg (25) skates past Los Angeles Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr (44) during the first period in game five of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Viktor Stalberg – Nashville Predators (4 years, $12M)

The goal-starved Predators opened up their wallet for a player with offensive potential who was pushed down the Blackhawks depth chart. One year removed from a 22 goal/43 point season on a stacked roster. He should get more prime opportunity to showcase his skills in Nashville.

FORWARD

Jarome Iginla – Boston Bruins (1 year, $1.8M + $4.8M in performance bonuses)

For this season, this is a bargain. However, depending on what the bonuses are and if he earns them, it could cause a cap nightmare for the Bruins next season as they would most likely have to carry over some, most or all of those to next year’s cap (although the cap will go up next year, so they might have some wiggle room. They will be a cap team either way, so whatever carries over will be dealt with. I can’t imagine the bonuses will be too difficult to attain should he stay healthy, the Bruins just needed the cap flexibility for this season.

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