All-UFA Team: The best of the leftovers

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07/15/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Despite his surprisingly deliberate search for a new team, Ilya Kovalchuk is still gaining headlines as the top free agent left on the NHL's open market.

While it's certainly shocking that we are two weeks into hockey's signing season and the uber-talented Russian winger has not yet decided on a new home, it should also be noted that Kovalchuk is far from the only recognizable unrestricted free agent left to be had.

Kovalchuk would clearly head the list of any All-Free Agent team, but, for our purposes here, we'll pretend that Kovalchuk has already signed.

First off, his value right now is so much higher than any other available player that including him on our team would qualify as a no-brainer. Secondly, so much has already been said about Kovalchuk this summer that I think we are all suffering from a severe case of "Kovi fatigue". Whether he lands in New Jersey, LA, St. Petersburg or elsewhere, at this point there is really nothing left to say about the guy that hasn't already been stated dozens of times over.

With the requisite Kovalchuk talk out of the way, let's take a look at some big free agents that have flown under the radar this summer.

LEFT WING

ALEXANDER FROLOV

Like Kovalchuk, Frolov is a talented left winger who should just be entering the prime of his career. Unlike his countryman, Frolov has been dogged by criticism concerning his consistency and his frequent offensive dry spells. Still, while it's clear Frolov is no Kovalchuk, the 28-year-old did manage to produce 168 goals and 381 points in seven seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. He also notched 32 goals in 2008-09 before disappointing with just 19 tallies in 81 games last year for the Kings. Frolov's lapses in production are a big reason the Kings are in the Kovalchuk race to begin with, but perhaps a fresh start with a new club could do the former first-round draft pick a world of good. It remains to be seen whether Frolov's new home will be in North America or back home in the Kontinental Hockey League.

RIGHT WING

TEEMU SELANNE

Even though he recently turned 40, Selanne's age shouldn't prevent him from producing should he decide to come back for an 18th NHL campaign in 2010-11. But it's hard to determine if "The Finnish Flash" is a true free agent or if he will only re-sign with Anaheim, the city he's called home for the last five seasons. With Selanne's countryman Saku Koivu signed for two more years, Selanne will likely only consider offers from the Ducks, who are in a transitional phase but still have use for this future Hall of Famer. Selanne has played in just 145 games over the last three seasons, but has produced an impressive 125 points (66 goals, 59 assists) over that span. Bill Guerin is another right wing option who is also 40 years old. The American had 21 goals and 24 assists for Pittsburgh last year and, unlike Selanne, Guerin has shown that he is open to signing with just about anybody who is interested.

CENTER

MIKE MODANO

The highest-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history still may opt for retirement, but if he does return for the 2010-11 campaign it won't be for the Dallas Stars -- the franchise he's been a part of since being selected first overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1988. Modano, 40, saw his minutes dwindle the last few years in Dallas, but he still managed a decent 14 goals and 30 points while playing in just 59 games during an injury-plagued 2009-10 season. Detroit has expressed interest in signing Modano, as have the Minnesota Wild, who would certainly give their fans a thrill if they could lure the future Hall of Famer back to the Twin Cities. Perhaps a return to the North Star State could rejuvenate his career, but if he is dogged by injuries once again then it would clearly be time to call it a career.

DEFENSEMEN

WILLIE MITCHELL

Mitchell's 2009-10 season ended in January when he suffered a concussion, and the 33-year-old has yet to resume skating. Still, his combination of size, skill and responsible play make him the best all-around defenseman left on the open market. Mitchell had four goals, eight assists and was a plus-13 for Vancouver last season and the Canucks clearly missed his steady play on the back end in the playoffs this past spring. The only reason he is still available is because of his post-concussion symptoms, but if he makes a successful return to skating soon it won't take long for NHL suitors to come calling.

MARC-ANDRE BERGERON

Bergeron offers much more than Mitchell in the offensive zone, but his defensive lapses are a cause for concern. Despite playing in just 60 regular season games with Montreal last year, Bergeron still managed to post 13 goals and 34 points for the Canadiens and also added six points in 19 playoff games for the Habs. Bergeron's biggest asset is a terrific shot, which makes him a very valuable weapon on the power play. Still, Bergeron's deficiencies in his own zone prevent him from being a guy who can log tons of minutes for a contending team.

GOALTENDER

JOSE THEODORE

Many folks would place Marty Turco ahead of Theodore as the best goaltender available, but it's clear that Theodore has been the better backstop over the past few years. Theodore was Washington's main goaltender again last season, but for a second straight playoffs, head coach Bruce Boudreau opted to switch to Semyon Varlamov as the No. 1 guy early in the postseason. Boudreau's decision puzzled me the first time and made just about as much sense this past spring, but perhaps Theodore could do better on a team that has an interest in playing defense rather than simply blaming the goaltender when things go bad in the playoffs. To be fair, Theodore's stellar 62-24-12 record in his two regular seasons with Washington also had a lot to do with the Capitals' high- scoring offense, but at 33 years old, the former Hart Trophy and Vezina winner at least proved he can still carry the load for an NHL team.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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