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In response to a recent poll of NHL statistical analysts, Craig Custance checks in with NHL coaches and scouts to see how they explain the big contracts issued to Paul Gaustad and Dennis Wideman.

Blog | Conversation | September 26, 2012

Rob Vollman polls the NHL stats community to see which summer signings rated as the league's worst contracts handed out this offseason.

Story | Conversation | September 25, 2012

Craig Custance writes the Minnesota Wild have gained two leaders in Zach Parise and Ryan Suter who can inspire their young players.

Blog | Conversation | July 04, 2012

Craig Custance examines the potential impact of Ryan Suter's departure on Predators captain Shea Weber.

Blog | Conversation | July 04, 2012

Last summer the NHL watched as the Florida Panthers spent wildly to reach the salary-cap floor. This season has lacked similar spending sprees, largely because teams seem convinced the floor will change with the new CBA.

Blog | Conversation | July 03, 2012

While the top prizes in the 2012 free-agent class remain unclaimed, there were some early winners on Day 1 of the NHL's free agency period. Craig Custance provides his evaluations of first flurry of signings.

Blog | Conversation | July 01, 2012

In recent years, we've seen top free agents take their time instead of joining the frenzy to sign with a team on July 1. If Tier 1 free agents Ryan Suter and Zach Parise delay their decisions, which players and teams does that help? Who does it hurt?

Blog | Conversation | June 27, 2012

Craig Custance evaluates the top 50 free agents in the 2012 class.

Story | Conversation | June 18, 2012

Craig Custance provides his list of free agents who are enhancing their value with their play this postseason, including the Kings' Dustin Penner.

Blog | Conversation | May 02, 2012

Craig Custance looks at the goalie situation in Nashville and sees a backup goalie more valuable to the Predators on the trading block than on the bench behind star Pekka Rinne.

Blog | Conversation | April 13, 2012

Most NHL teams are moving aggressively to sign their own potential free agents. Craig Custance analyzes what this means for the summer marketplace.

Blog | Conversation | March 13, 2012

With a number of NHL teams still needing to spend to simply reach the cap floor, Matthew Wuest explores ways for each team to smartly surpass the lower limit.

Story | Conversation | July 13, 2011

Neil Greenberg analyzes Michael Frolik and four other free agents who could be due for breakout 2011-12 campaigns, and they can be added this offseason without breaking the bank.

Story | Conversation | June 29, 2011

Neil Greenberg analyzes six players set to reach free agency this summer, including the recently signed Ilya Bryzgalov and Brooks Laich, and finds that NHL teams should be wary because they appear likely to regress next season.

Story | Conversation | June 28, 2011

Matthew Wuest of CapGeek evaluates the 2010-11 salary landscape to see which players are providing the most points for the smallest salaries.

Story | Conversation | February 16, 2011

Matthew Wuest of CapGeek explains why there won't be too many big contracts handed out among forwards and goalies this season, but defensemen are in line for some big raises.

Story | Conversation | February 03, 2011