These NHL GMs may heat up summer months

Last week, Glen Sather told Larry Brooks of The New York Post that the Rangers were not going to be a major player in free agency. I was relaying this news to a former player, who responded, "And you believe him?"

Upon further review, however, you can see how this might be the most boring free agency summer since the lockout.

There aren't many difference-makers available, and there aren't many big spending teams with cap room. Several other organizations (Carolina, for example) want to take their payrolls down to $44 million US.

So, if you're a general manager looking to improve his team, you're doing one of two things: hunting around the bargain bin or looking to make a trade. And, there are a lot of players available. Teams willing to take on a little extra salary will be in a position of power. They'll be able to extract draft picks, prospects, maybe even good players that cap-strapped teams (Chicago) really don't want to dump.

So, with a little under two weeks to go until Draft Day, here are the GMs who will determine how things shake down.

*Steve Tambellini, Edmonton. With the No. 1 pick, Tambellini controls the draft, although I'm not sure that selection is where he'll make his most dramatic move (see 30 Thoughts). He promised to change the team's culture, and now we're really going to find out where he's going. Buyout season began Monday (until June 30), and you have to think he'll go that route if he can't find takers for some combination of Ethan Moreau , Patrick O'Sullivan and Robert Nilsson . He'll also try to deal Sheldon Souray , and I'm curious to see if Ales Hemsky could be available for the right price.

The Oilers know that they aren't getting prime free agents, no matter how much they try to overpay. So, Edmonton must build via trade and/or the draft. But, with a new, young core, Tambellini will get players he believes to be a positive influence.

*Peter Chiarelli, Boston. I put Tambellini first, but the real action may be at this table. The Bruins have four of the first 45 picks (2, 15, 32 and 45). It is believed they badly want Taylor Hall. Chiarelli will attempt to move up, although Tambellini may not be interested. If not, the Bruins can try to add a second pick (other teams believe they like Moncton defenceman Brandon Gormley). Or, he can try to get another team to take one of his big contracts. (How about Dennis Wideman ? The Bruins have a lot of money tied up on their blue-line and Zdeno Chara is a UFA next summer. So, for that matter, is Patrice Bergeron. )

Chiarelli needs flexibility. He's also got an owner tired of crushing second-round playoff defeats. This is a big season for Boston.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/elliottefriedman/2010/06/these-nhl-gms-may-heat-up-summer-months.html