Eastern Conf. FA/Off Season

Here's a look at each team's cap situation heading into free agency and what they might be looking to do.

Atlanta Thrashers: In theory, the Thrashers are in a great position because they have nearly $30 million in cap space and plenty of contracts they could afford to buy out. It's a recipe for a quick rebuild if it lands the Thrashers a playmaking center for Ilya Kovalchuk and some depth at the blue line. But Atlanta is still a money losing franchise that doesn't throw big contracts at free agents. And even if it did, Atlanta's losing stigma isn't something that attracts players with other options.

Boston Bruins: The Bruins are just under $50 million in commitments for next season, so they're not looking to make a big splash during free agency. Unless, of course, they land their prime free-agent target, Marian Hossa. Boston is probably a long shot to sign the high-scoring winger who wants to go to a winning organization, but the Bruins are improving and could convince Hossa by breaking the bank. The Bruins have a little inside track as well because Marc Savard was Hossa's linemate in Atlanta, and GM Peter Chiarelli knows him from their time together in Ottawa.

Buffalo Sabres: Buffalo doesn't spend to hang on to its own high-end free agents, so it won't be spending much on those from other teams. Still, the Sabres should be somewhat active because they are expected to use up about half of the $17 million they have available to fill out the roster. Buffalo wants at least one defenseman, preferably a physical one, which has led to speculation about area native and playoff star Brooks Orpik, and a backup goaltender.

Carolina Hurricanes: The Hurricanes haven't been in the playoffs since they won the 2005 Stanley Cup, but this organization has a steady-as-she-goes philosophy that keeps it from getting too crazy with free agents. Truth is, the Hurricanes believe they are in pretty good shape the way they are and will be a lot more dangerous if they avoid the kind of injuries they had last season. Besides, Carolina already has 18 players under contract for next season for about $45 million, which is about the limit of what it plans to spend. The 'Canes will do some tweaking before training camp starts, but any changes will be minor.

Florida Panthers: The Panthers plan to be very active in free agency, but they could find it a challenge attracting players to one of the league's most dysfunctional organizations. Their immediate problem will be hanging onto defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, a restricted free agent who could get an offer sheet. Bouwmeester is a rising young star who seems fed up with playing for a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2000. That kind of sentiment gets around, and so does the way GM Jacques Martin publicly dissed captain Olli Jokinen and others he ran out of town.

Montreal Canadiens: The Canadiens came out of nowhere to finish first in the East, and there is a sense in Montreal that the opportunity to win a Stanley Cup next season is real and needs to be seized. That's why the Canadiens will be major players when the market opens. They traded for the negotiating rights to Mats Sundin before he hits free agency and will be making a serious play for Marian Hossa. The moneymaking franchise has about $14 million in cap space and is willing to use every penny of it.

New Jersey Devils: GM Lou Lamoriello hasn't had a good track record signing free agents since the lockout ended, but there have been suggestions out of New Jersey that he will be trying to land one of the marquee players this time. The Devils, who have $37,731,033 committed toward the salary cap for 17 players for 2008-09, are looking for a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman, preferably one who can run the point on the power play.

New York Islanders: There's money to spend in the Islanders budget, but not many players want to take it -- at least those now elsewhere. Long Island is considered one of the last resorts for players, mainly because the team's arena and facilities are so dilapidated, so the Islanders tend to get rejected by free agents even when they offer more than market rate. New York will kick some tires when the market opens, but most of the new faces next season will belong to players who have come through the system.

New York Rangers: The Czech era seems to be over for the Rangers, who are letting Jaromir Jagr dangle while saying goodbye to his buddies like Martin Straka and Michal Rozsival. In fact, New York is going through a lot of changes by leaving other key veterans like Brendan Shanahan and Sean Avery free to test the market, but that means the Rangers have more cash to spend -– some $23 million -- and plenty of places to use it. They're interested in Mats Sundin, Marian Hossa and defenseman Brooks Orpik.

Ottawa Senators: Look for the Senators to be very busy because they have several spots to fill. Ottawa is looking for a couple of defensemen, a backup goalie and, depending on what it does with its own free agents, likely two or three forwards. Where payroll is concerned, the Senators have more than $40 million committed to the cap next season, leaving them with plenty of offseason cash. But to fill out the roster, the team will need to spend nearly all of it.

Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers created the model for turnarounds last summer, so there is less for them this time around. Good thing, too, because Philadelphia is already near the cap's upper limit. The Flyers just got Jeff Carter re-signed, and have much of the roster that went to the conference final under contract. They probably won't be able to fit veteran Jason Smith into the budget, but there will be a big boost if Simon Gagne makes a successful return from a concussion.

Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins went to the Stanley Cup Final and now they're paying for it by losing players getting the chance to cash in on the success. Pittsburgh will keep the core of its great young team together because Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury are still around, but now it has to fill the void of key contributors to the long run. The departures mean Pittsburgh will be looking for at least two top-six forwards and a top four defenseman, but the Penguins now have more than $20 million in cap room.

Tampa Bay Lightning: The new owners promised they'd be "shockingly aggressive" and they proved the point by obtaining negotiating rights to Ryan Malone and then signing him. And they're not finished yet, making a similar deal with Minnesota to allow them to talk to Brian Rolston before anyone else July 1. Chances are they have other targets as well.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto isn't going to be a contender next season no matter how many movies Mike Myers makes, so the Leafs are trying to put a plan together that focuses on young players supported by veterans who might still be around when they are ready to take the next step. For now, the priorities are a scorer who fits on a first or second line, a couple of defensemen and some role players up front. A backup goalie who could spell Vesa Toskala once every four or five games wouldn't hurt either. The Leafs aren't likely to get any big names, but with $18 million in cap room, they could end up being active on the second tier level.

Washington Capitals: For the Caps, the issue is more about hanging on to players rather than bringing new ones in. Goaltender Cristobal Huet was a major contributor after coming at the trade deadline and is looking to cash in. So is Mike Green, who at 22 is a restricted free agent after a breakout season in which he was one of the league's best offensive defensemen. He could be the target of an offer sheet. Washington has about $17 million in cap room, but the Caps never spend close to the limit, so their free-agent activity should stay close to home.

We can ofcourse Add to this for allEastern ConfNews leading up to day 1!!

Leafs give Stajan 2-year, $3.5M contract

Hurricanes reach deal with D Seidenberg

Penguins sign F Pesonen, D Lovejoy

Penguins sign F Cooke to replace Ruutu because Ruutu signed a three-year deal with the Ottawa Senators after free agent bidding began.

M Recchi is on his way To TB!!

Pittsburgh grabbed Ruslan Fedotenko for $2.25 mil and Miroslav Satan for $3.5 mil. from the Isles

Atlanta, good grief. Can they have atleast 1 good team in there state. Braves suck, Thrashers are going downhill. The Hawks are a bad team for seasons now and Falcons lost there greedy QB, they can't get anything going.

Habs give up on that idiot Sundin and acquire Robert Lang. He's another oldie but damn the guy knows how to fill the net so here's hoping it's a gelaxin kinda pickup!!!

Only a couple of weeks before the season starts! Let's get this rolling already!!!!

Coming soon Mang, And even a little Fantasy Pucks going on this year too, so thatll make it a little exciting atleast lol Well its an Spx league so um, exciting? well atleast to compete i mean lol

Sooooon enough!! Drop the damn puck allready!