College Basketball Recruiting 2012: Power Ranking the Top 17 Undecided Recruits

With the freshmen in college basketball performing at all-time highs, fans are eager to know the names of incoming players that could one day make a name for themselves in March Madness.

These are players have have so much hype coming out of high school that they are coveted by teams looking to recruit the next Kyrie Irving or Jared Sullinger.

How these players develop in college basketball is yet to be determined, but whether the most-hyped players turn out like a Josh Selby or a Brandon Knight, does not matter.

For now, schools will do anything to land that all-important freshman player that they can lay claim to and boost their school's fan base.

High school players are receiving more hype than ever, and today is no different.



17. Shacquille Cleare

High School: The Village School
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 270

Strengths: Good post player with terrific touch around the rim.

Weaknesses: Needs to be in better shape.

Considering: Arizona, Texas A&M, Texas, Baylor, Maryland



16. Perry Ellis

High School: Wichita Heights
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 220

Strengths: Can run the floor and finish well.

Weaknesses: Needs to become better shooter.

Considering: Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Memphis, Oklahoma



15. Jarnell Stokes

High School: Memphis Central
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 250

Strengths: Strong, big bodied power forward

Weaknesses: Still too small for position, so must improve outside shot.

Considering: Memphis, Tennessee, Duke



14. Alex Poythress

High School: Northeast
Hometown: Clarksville, Tennessee
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 215

Strengths: Very good at attacking the basket.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve ways of scoring.

Considering: Vanderbilt, Memphis, Florida



13. Gary Harris

High School: Hamilton Southeastern
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 195

Strengths: Good strength for a guard.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve consistent shooting ability.

Considering: Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue



12. Robert Carter

High School: Thomasville
Hometown: Thomasville, Georgia
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 240

Strengths: Good combination of size, strength and ability.

Weaknesses: Needs to be more active on the glass.

Considering: Georgia, Florida, Florida State



11. Ricardo Ledo

High School: Notre Dame Prep
Hometown: Providence, Rhode Island
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 180

Strengths: Phenominal scorer.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve defense.

Considering: Providence, Syracuse, Kansas, Connecticut



10. Shaq Goodwin

High School: Southwest Dkalb
Hometown: Decatur, Georgia
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 210

Strengths: Good athleticism and range behind the free throw line.

Weaknesses: Needs to work on maturity.

Considering: UCLA, Georgia, Florida



9. Kyle Anderson

High School: St. Anthony
Hometown: Fairview, New Jersey
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 210

Strengths: A point guard in a small forward's body makes for match-up problems. Has great passing abilities and vision on the floor.

Weaknesses: Needs to bulk up.

Considering: UCLA, St. John's, Florida



8. Kaleb Tarczewski

High School: St. Marks
Hometown: Claremont, New Hampshire
Height: 7'0"
Weight: 220

Strengths: Good mobility for a true center.

Weaknesses: Needs to work on his scoring abilities in the post.

Considering: Connecticut, Kansas, North Carolina, Arizona



7. Archie Goodwin

High School: Sylvan Hills
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 181

Strengths: Smooth and multi-skilled forward.

Weaknesses: Improve shot from three-point range.

Considering: Arkansas, Kentucky, Kansas



6. Rodney Purvis

High School: Upper Room Christian Academy
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 185

Strengths: Good ball-handling gives him the ability of driving to the bucket whenever he feels like it.

Weaknesses: Improve jump shot.

Considering: Duke, Kentucky, Louisville



5. Brandon Ashley

High School: Bishop O'Dowd
Hometown: Oakland, California
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 210

Strengths: Good timing and quickness around the basket with a soft touch.

Weaknesses: Needs to work on fundamentals in order to make it in college.

Considering: UCLA, California, Arizona



4. DaJuan Coleman

High School: Jamesville De-Witt
Hometown: DeWitt, New York
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 280

Strengths: Good conditioning for a big man and has good post-up ability.

Weaknesses: Must stay in shape.

Considering: Syracuse, North Carolina, Louisville



3. Mitch McGary

High School: Brewster Academy
Hometown: Chesterton, Indiana
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 225

Strengths: A lefty with good range and power around the rim.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve back to the basket ability.

Considering: Texas, Connecticut, Indiana



2. Shabazz Muhammad

High School: Bishop Gorman
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 205

Strengths: Consistent shot from within 15 feet.

Weaknesses: Improve three-point shot.

Considering: UCLA, Duke, Kentucky



1. Andre Drummond

High School: St. Thomas
Hometown: Middletown, Connecticut
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 275

Strengths: Best 2012 high school recruit. Talented combination of size, strength and ability.

Weaknesses: Needs to be more consistent dominating the game.

Considering: Kentucky, Connecticut, Duke

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NHL Free Agency 2011: Top 15 Goalies and Where They Will Land

With only a handful of elite and reliable goalies in net in the NHL, now is as good a team as ever for a team to go out and acquire a fairly decent one.

In the free agency class of 2011, there are several goalies that could do wonders for teams looking for a netminder.

Already, we have seen the top goalie on the market acquired by the Philadelphia Flyers, who have wasted no time in claiming their future goaltender in Ilya Bryzgalov.

Some teams are still desperate for a goalie, though.

The New Jersey Devils, Phoenix Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning are a few, where with a decent goaltender they could make a run in the playoffs.

Here are the top goalies available that could soon find a home with any of those teams.



Alex Auld

Auld has played the back-up role for the Montreal Canadiens this past season, posting a 6-2-2 record behind Carey Price.

Since the Canadiens do not seem to be in any rush with Auld, I would expect he is safe to stay in as the back-up in Montreal.

Team: Montreal Canadiens


Ray Emery

The Anaheim Ducks have too much talent in net.

Someone can argue that point, but the fact is they have Jonas Hiller, Ray Emery and Dan Ellis.

With Hiller the starter and Ellis under contract for next season, expect Emery to be open for business on July 1.

Emery showed he may be ready for another starting spot on a roster, so look for several teams to pursue him.

New team: Florida Panthers



Peter Budaj

Budaj posted a record of 15-21-4 in 45 games this past season, leaving the possibility of a starting role somewhere in the air.

Also, the Colorado Avalanche have made it pretty clear they will not re-sign the 31-year-old.

Look for a desperate team to take a risk at making him a starter, otherwise we will see him in the back-up role in 2011-12.

New team: Edmonton Oilers



Mathieu Garon

Garon went 10-14-6 for the Columbus Blue Jackets behind starter Steve Mason.

Look for Garon to nab a back-up role again with a few team in dire need of support in the pipes.

The New Jersey Devils could be a nice fit.

New team: New Jersey Devils



Brian Boucher

Boucher's inconsistent play in net has team in need of a goalie wondering if he can actually become a legitimate starter.

Boucher went 18-10-4 for the Flyers in 2010-11, but since the team acquired Bryzgalov, they will have to part with either Michael Leighton, Bobrovsky or Boucher.

I see the Flyer leaning towards re-signing Boucher as the Bryzgalov's back-up.

Team: Philadelphia Flyers



Chris Osgood

Osgood has expressed his desire to stay with the Detroit Red Wings, so now the ball is in the team's court as to whether they feel he can be an efficient back-up behind Jimmy Howard.

Osgood played in just 11 games for the Red Wings last season, and the debate is whether the Red Wings can find a better back-up in free agency.

At 39 years old, expect the Wings to re-sign Osgood and keep him until he retires.

Team: Detroit Red Wings



Ty Conklin

Conklin's .881 save percentage and 3.22 GAA is not helping anybody, but there still is room on another team for him.

Whether that spot is as a starter or back-up has yet to be decided.

A team like the Edmonton Oilers or Phoenix Coyotes could be possible locations.
New team: Edmonton Oilers


Johan Hedberg

Hedberg had a very nice season for the New Jersey Devils, posting a .912 save percentage in 34 games played last season.

For that reason, expect the Devils, who are already in need of depth at goalie, to keep him.
Team: New Jersey Devils



Josh Harding

Hard to say what Harding's value in net is these days, after sitting out the entire 2010-11 season with a torn ACL.

However, he is still young at 27 years old.

The Minnesota Wild are likely to re-sign him.

Team: Minnesota Wild



Marty Turco

Does Turco still have starting stuff in him after being beat out by rookie Corey Crawford for the starting spot in Chicago?

We will find out, and I am sure another team would like to, as well.

A team like the Coyotes, who are in need of a starter, after parting ways with Bryzgalov, could be a good fit.

New team: Phoenix Coyotes



Mike Smith
With their top two goaltenders entering the free agent market, the Lightning need a netminder.

Dwayne Roloson did all he could last season, and Smith stepped up, for the most part, when called upon.

However, everyone knows the Lightning will be shopping this offseason, and a goalie is their biggest target. Roloson is 41 years old and Smith will not get this team to the playoffs.

With all that said, Smith seems to be the odd man out here, as Roloson is expected to be the back-up or starter if the price is not right for some of these goalies.
New team: Colorado Avalanche



Dwayne Roloson

Just to reiterate, the Lightning will be keeping Roloson as either their back-up, once they find a starter in free agency, or he may stay their starter if the price is not right.

Either way, he is in Tampa Bay next season.

Team: Tampa Bay Lightning



Pascal LeClaire

The Ottawa Senators have their two goalies in Craig Anderson and Curtis McElhinny. It would seem as though LeClaire is out of work in Ottawa.

Still, he will be coveted by teams in dire need of a very good goalie when healthy.

The problem is he played in only 14 games last season and is recovering from hip surgery.

There is room for him somewhere in the league, right?

Not with the hip injury and 60 total games the past three seasons.

New team: Europe



Jean-Sebastien Giguere

Giguere's injury-plagued 2010-11 season in the last year of his contract would seem to get him the boot in Toronto.

Giguere played in just 33 games last season, finishing with a 11-11-4 record.

If he wants to test the free agent market, he should. Otherwise, he will be backing up Jason Reimer in Toronto.

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs


Tomas Vokoun
Vokoun wants out of Florida, and the mid-season trade rumors were not doing anyone any favors.

The good thing for Vokoun is that the Lightning, who seemed just a goaltender away from the Stanley Cup, have an opening at his position.

Roloson will be back, but Smith is on the move, leaving an opening in net. And the Lightning may have just deep enough pockets.

Vokoun immediately puts the Lightning at the head of that Eastern Conference, being that they just missed the Stanley Cup last season.

New team: Tampa Bay Lightning

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San Jose Sharks: Exploring Their Free Agent Shopping List For the Offseason

The San Jose Sharks will enter a pretty big offseason starting on July 1. That would be the day that the NHL free agency period begins, and it will be the first chance the Sharks have at re-signing or departing with the 23 players on their current free agent roster.

This is a free agency that could possibly define this team for the next couple of years, having to decide whether to re-sign or let go several young and promising players. There are also a few veterans in the mix that could potentially alter the chemistry of a proud and competitive franchise.

More or less, the Sharks involvement in the NHL free agency period relies solely on what San Jose decides to do with two of their key free agents.

Those two players are restricted free agent Devin Setoguchi on the offensive end, and unrestricted free agent Ian White on the defensive end.

The Sharks leniency in free agency depends on how the Sharks deal with those two players.

For now, he are some realistic options for San Jose if they choose to embark on the chaos that is NHL Free Agency 2011.



Eric Brewer

If the Sharks go after a big name free agent, it is going to be a big name defenseman. And if they go after a big name defenseman, Brewer would seem to fit within San Jose's price range for a very good defensive player with a decent offensive game.

It may be a bit of a risk for the Sharks, considering Brewer made a legitimate name for himself in the 2011 NHL Playoffs.

Brewer may not reach 40 points next season, but he would be a valuable asset for the Sharks as apart of that defense.

Whether he is a valuable asset worth $5 million next season will be up to the Sharks.



Kevin Bieksa

Another Sharks' playoff foe coming to play in San Jose?

Antti Niemi did it. Why can't Bieksa?

Sure, Bieksa is going to take less money and stay in Vancouver, but this is someone the Sharks should really go after because he satisfies every part of the ice the San Jose needs help at.

Bieksa can score, as we saw in the Western Conference Finals, but he is also a decent defender.

Again, he will be giving the Canucks a hometown discount, but that does not mean other teams will not be throwing the house at a defenseman who stepped his game up when it counted most.

The Detroit Red Wings will most certainly be going hard at both Christian Ehrhoff and Bieksa, but expect the Sharks to throw their hat into the pile, as well.

Whether the Sharks, Red Wings or Canucks feel Bieksa is inevitably worth the $5-$7 million he is supposedly going to get will be up to them.



Cam Barker (Restricted Free Agent)

Sharks fans should remember Barker from that shutdown defense of the Chicago Blackhawks a year ago.

Now, Barker is a definite possibility in San Jose next season.

Currently, there are rumors about the Minnesota Wild buying out Barker's contract, making him an unrestricted free agent, but that will not occur until they have a coach in place.

Barker is set to make $3 million next season, and if bought out, he would cost $375,000 against the cap next season.

The 25-year-old possesses a hard shot from the point and is especially effective on the power play. His defense in his own zone needs work, but he is a very physical player that the Sharks could use.

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San Francisco Giants: 5 Bold Predictions For the Rest of the Season

Another day, another man down. That seems to be the story these days for the World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

Freddy Sanchez was placed on the 15-day DL Saturday after dislocating his right shoulder diving for a ball, and continuing the voodoo-like coincidence of the best current Giants hitter going down to injury.

We witnessed this with Pablo Sandoval earlier in the season, Buster Posey a few weeks ago and now with Sanchez.

Tread lightly, Nate Schierholtz...

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NBA Draft 2011: Alec Burks and 10 Prospects For the Golden State Warriors

Now that the NBA Finals are over and the Dallas Mavericks have prevailed over LeBron James and the evil empire, the NBA Draft can start to heat up. But with just over one week left until the big day, there is still no set order to the draft outside of the top four picks.

We can speculate all we want, but in this next week it will become a little clearer as to who will be picked where.

With the no. 11 pick in the NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors may have an idea who will be available, but there are several players that have the possibility of their draft stock rising and falling within the next nine days.

The Warriors know this much: They need a backcourt defender and a big man during this draft. But who they ultimately choose with the no. 11 pick may just be the best available player, given the current circumstances.

Here are several prospects that have the possibility to be available at the no. 11 pick and would fit nicely into the Golden State system.



Alec Burks

Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 193
Age: 19
School: Colorado

Burks' draft stock has been rising as of late, but how could it not?

Teams that know this draft may be a tad bit shallow in the talent department cannot pass up one of the most athletic players in this draft.

He is a born scorer, averaging 17 PPG and 20 PPG in his freshman and sophomore seasons at Colorado. He also displays terrific leadership for being just 19-years-old.

The downside is his game may take awhile to translate to the NBA, but his athletic build and ability will not take long to make this prospect into a bonified scorer.

If the Warriors choose to trade Monta Ellis, which does not seem likely now with Mark Jackson's comments, Burks could fit well right along side Stephen Curry in the backcourt. Either way, he may be the bets available player at no. 11.



Chris Singleton

Position: SF
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Florida State

Alongside Burks, Singleton will be one of the best available players when the Warriors get their turn on June 23.

Singlton fits into the Warriors' system a glove. He has every intangible that Golden State needs and wants.

What stands out to most is his defense, which the Warriors will make a key focus in this draft, and through assistant coach Mike Malone during the season. Singleton can guard anyone from a guard to a power forward, making him extremely versatile on the floor.

His length has other teams drooling, as well.

On the Warriors, Singleton can immediately contribute with his length and size. At 6'9", the small forward could impact the Warriors in that he gives them immediate size, which is another key focus for Golden State this offseason.

Did I mention he is NBA-ready?



Jordan Hamilton

Position: SF
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 229
Age: 20
School: Texas

Hamilton can score, we all saw that in this past college basketball season. But can he score at the next level?

Good question. Hence the question mark for Hamilton as a worthy top-15 pick.

What the University of Texas stud can do is have a really good workout in front of NBA scouts.

Hamilton has impressed in the offseason workouts so far, showing his shooting ability and range, which could be essential with his 6'9" frame.

With his size at the small forward position, Hamilton could fit very nice in the Warriors' system.



Marcus Morris

Position: PF
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Kansas

This seems to be everyone's consensus as to who the Warriors should pick at no. 11.

Morris has size, which Golden State needs, and good shooting range to complement.

What worries most is that he could be just another undersized power forward, which is the likeliest scenario if you are asking me.

Morris does not have the physical skills to blow away an NBA forward, nor does anything really stand out, other than he could help the Warriors on the boards.

Although I feel the Warriors could do much better than pick Morris at no. 11, the Warriors could solidify a decent frontcourt with the Kansas alumnus under the rim.



Klay Thompson

Position: PG
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 206
Age: 21
School: Washington St.

If you have not noticed, Thompson's stock is as high as anyone in this draft right now.

It may have a little to do with the fact that he is 6'7" with one of the better ball-handling skills in this draft.

In the NBA, Thompson will be switching between the point guard and shooting guard roles, but teams will be drafting him for his versatility and raw shooting ability.

In his junior season at Washington State, Thompson averaged 21 PPG, while shooting 43 percent from long-range.

He will be right in the Warriors' wheelhouse at no. 11, whether he will be a reach at that point is yet to be decided.

Did I mention Jerry West may have a thing for him?



Kenneth Faried

Position: PF
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 225
Age: 21
School: Morehead State

Yes, Faried is a reach for the Warriors at no. 11, that does not take away from his ability to be a decent player in the NBA one day.

He is a born rebounder with energy through the roof.

The comparison has been made to the San Antonio Spurs' DeJuan Blair, who is also a little undersized for his position but had a very productive rookie season despite that.

Sure, the Warriors could use him, but he is not worth taking at no. 11. Chad Ford has him going to the Portland Trailblazers at no. 21.



Tristan Thompson

Position: PF
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 228
Age: 20
School: Texas

Thompson is intriguing if you are the Warriors. He will most likely be available at no. 11 and exudes potential with his 6'9" lanky body and natural offensive awareness.

The 20-year-old can play both the 3 and 4 in the NBA, but will have a tough time getting used to the NBA game, given that he may not match-up well with other 3's and 4's until he beefs up.

If he does develop physically, Thompson can be a star in the NBA, which is why he is so intriguing to some teams.



Bismack Biyombo

Position: PF
Height: 6'9"
Weight: 243
Age: 18
Country: Congo

Biyombo is all about his freakish physical build. At 6'9" with a wingspan of 7'7", he can reach 9'3" into the air standing still.

Those characteristics alone put Biyombo into the top-10 of an extremely shallow draft, but the fact that he is so raw has teams worrying.

Not much is known about Biyombo besides the fact he is God's gift to the rim. Although he is a little undersized for his position, his wingspan allows him to play much bigger, and his age exudes potential when he hits an NBA court.



Jonas Valanciunas

Position: PF
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 230
Age: 19
Country: Lithuania

Arguably the most talented European player in this draft, Valanciunas is another player that exudes potential.

The 6'10" and only 19-years-old, he has the ability to be developed into a fine player at the power forward position.

He may be a project for a couple years, which is why teams may pass on him early in this draft. Given the opportunity, the Warriors will not be one of those teams, as he is a steal at no. 11.



Jan Vesely

Position: PF
Height: 6'11"
Weight: 240
Age: 21
Country: Czech Republic

The most athletic player in this draft comes from the Czech Republic and he is ready to play now.

There is much debate as to where Vesely will eventually land, as he has been predicted anywhere from the fifth pick to the 12th pick. Whoever picks him, that team gets a jolt of energy from their new length SF/PF with potential through roof.

For now, Vesely lives above the rim, but his jump shot is coming along and could do some damage a few years down the road.

If Vesely's undecided draft stock does plunge him to no. 11 on June 23, the Warriors' franchise will take a giant leap forward.

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Golden State Warriors: Hiring Mike Malone As Assistant Reveals More Than We Think

Joe Lacob and his Golden State Warriors hired Mark Jackson as their head coach on Monday, and with it came mixed reactions.

Jackson has zero coaching experience and quickly made the jump from game commentary to coaching. However, he brings a new, young and noticeable face to the Golden State Warriors franchise.

Fact.

There had to be some kind of gimmick, right?

Certainly the Warriors would not hire an NBA commentator, with monotone catch phrases such as "Mama, there goes that man" and "hand down, man down," without something to help ease the pain to their extremely loyal fan base.

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San Jose Sharks Free Agency: 5 Players Who Should Be On Their Radar

The San Jose Sharks' inability to get passed the Western Conference Finals, yet again, has some wondering whether or not GM Doug Wilson will decide to redesign this team for the future.

The Western Conference runner-ups will have to deal with a flurry of 23 free agents on their current team this summer.

No, these free agents will not affect the core of the Sharks, but it will alter both the depth of San Jose and which direction they wish to take the defense.

Notable free agents for the team include Devin Setoguchi, Ian White, Niclas Wallin, Kyle Wellwood and Scott Nichol.

Setoguchi (restricted free agent) was involved in trade rumors throughout this last season, and speculation is that his time in San Jose may be coming to an end through a possible trade.

However, many must believe that a primary focus of the Sharks is at their blue line, which is why the spotlight this offseason will be on their dealings with White, Huskins and Wallin.

Who will stay, and who will go?

Odds are that they sign one of those three players, leaving free agency a great time to pick up a star defenseman.

The hoopla begins on July 1, the national day of Canada, when the country to the north celebrates both their national holiday and the hectic start of NHL free agency.

Here are five players that should be on the Sharks' radar when the pandemonium begins.



Brooks Laich

The Washington Capitals' left winger will be highly sought after this free agency because of the fact he does just about everything on the ice. But the idea of every team going after Laich should not be a reason for San Jose to bow out of the running.

Laich plays on both the power play and penalty kill, and is a big body that the Sharks could place in front of the net.

The only thing stopping the Sharks from actively pursuing Laich is the fact that teams will be throwing anywhere from $4-$5 million at him for 3-5 years. Laich is coming off a year in which he made $2 million.



Eric Brewer

Along those same expensive lines comes defenseman Eric Brewer of the Tampa Lightning.

Brewer's consistent play during the 2011 NHL Playoffs upped his ante yet again.

His salary in Tampa Bay last season was $4.25 million, and he is looking at around $5 million this next season.

This would be a solid defensive pick-up for the Sharks, but the price may scare them away for the amount of production they will receive. This is especially true if Brewer's offensive production is not likely to see 40 points in the near future.



Joni Pitkanen

The Sharks have been looking to bolster their offensive production from the blue line, and Pitkanen is a viable candidate to achieve just that for San Jose.

Pitkanen has huge offensive upside for being a defenseman, something the Sharks will need if Ian White is not resigned.

San Jose will have to pay a heavy price for Pitkanen's services, though. He made $4 million with the Carolina Hurricanes last season, and will most likely fetch around $5 million in free agency.



Anton Babchuk

This move will only work if the Sharks re-sign White, but Babchuk is someone that can really help San Jose put their power play over the top.

It is Babchuk's bomb from the point that has some teams with an offensive need at defenseman drooling over the possibility of acquiring the young blueliner for a decent price.

Babchuk made $1.4 million last season, and is expected to make up to $4 million this next season in free agency.



Andy Greene

Although the odds are in favor of New Jersey re-signing unrestricted free agent Andy Greene, their have been reports of the Detroit Red Wings becoming interested in the defenseman's services. That would leave the door open for the Sharks to get in there, as well.

Greene will not cure the Sharks' defensive problems, but he is a big bang for the buck.

The 28-year-old made only $750,000 last season, and although his salary will increase in free agency, it should only rise to $2-$3 million.

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