Outside Looking In

By: SBR Staff

The 2006-07 hockey season is just around the corner, and several restricted and unrestricted free agents are still unsigned. Where these players wind up will have a large bearing on the outcome of the season.

September is just around the corner, which can only mean one thing in hockey - holdout talk.

Several notable names have yet to ink contracts for the 2006/07 NHL season. Here’s a rundown of the restricted free agents (RFA) who are still negotiating deals, and some unrestricted free agents (UFA) who are still hoping to catch on with a team.

Ilya Bryzgalov (RFA-Anaheim)
Expected to battle Jean-Sebastien Giguere for the starter’s job in Anaheim this season. Went 13-12-1 with a 2.51 GAA in 2005/06. Ducks don’t want him to jump to Europe.

Kari Lehtonen (RFA-Atlanta)
The Thrashers believe he will be one of the top goaltenders in the league this season, if he can stay healthy. Big-money contract will likely have to wait for a future offseason.

Ryan Miller (RFA-Buffalo)
With Martin Biron in the fold, the Sabres have some leverage with Miller. However, their breakout keeper won’t have much interest in earning less than his backup this season.

Tuomo Ruutu (RFA-Chicago)
Ruutu has yet to fill his vast potential at the NHL level, thanks in large part to injuries. Martin Havlat is now the focus in Chicago, but the team needs Ruutu to score as well.

Nikolai Zherdev (RFA-Columbus)
Contentious negotiations and trade rumors have surrounded the Jackets and Zherdev all summer. Has threatened to play in Russia this season, despite last year’s defection.

Marek Svatos (RFA-Colorado)
Scored 32 goals in 61 games last season, then was knocked out with a shoulder injury. Colorado’s depleted forward ranks can ill afford to be missing Svatos this campaign.

Joffrey Lupul (RFA-Edmonton)
Not arbitration eligible, but the Oilers will want to make Lupul happy. After all, he was the centerpiece of the deal that sent All-Star defenseman Chris Pronger out of town.

Brian Gionta (RFA-New Jersey)
A lack of space under the salary cap has hampered the Devils’ ability to sign the high-scoring Gionta. They might need to first deal away some of their roster’s dead weight.

Paul Martin (RFA-New Jersey)
In the same boat as Gionta right now; the team wants to get him signed, but the salary cap is an impediment. Picked up 37 points from the blueline last year for the Devils

Dan Hamhuis (RFA-Nashville)
Nashville’s only unsigned player, Hamhuis had 38 points in a breakout season last year. Should be a big part of the Preds for years to come, so might get a long-term contract.

Rick DiPietro (RFA-NY Islanders)
His former backup (new GM Garth Snow) is now trying to get him under contract for the season. The Islanders have no one beyond DiPietro to play nets, so they need to get him into camp on time.

Simon Gagne (RFA-Philadelphia)
Can qualify for unrestricted free agency after this season, so the Flyers want to lock him up long-term. However, the scoring winger definitely won’t be a bargain for the team.

Jason Allison (UFA)
Put up 60 points for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, but hasn’t been able to find a job yet this summer. Foot speed and defensive work are both sore spots for the center.

Anson Carter (UFA)
Scored 33 goals on a line with the Sedin twins in Vancouver last season, but is still shopping his services around the league. Most teams, though, don’t have the cap room.

Eric Daze (UFA)
Career has been derailed by injuries, but could be a high-risk, high-reward venture for some team. Also possible that he could be forced into retirement by his back woes.

J-P Dumont (UFA)
Cut loose by the Buffalo Sabres after winning a big arbitration award, Dumont will have no shortage of teams looking to get him under contract. Expect a decision fairly soon.

Brian Leetch (UFA)
The veteran All-Star defenseman could end up retiring if he doesn’t find a fit in the next few weeks. The Oilers, who lost Pronger, are rumored to have some interest in Leetch.