Several Devils and former Rats could find new homes this off-season

With the NHL’s free agency period set to begin on Friday, July 1^st at noon, many players that have suited up for the Albany River Rats or Albany Devils may be on the move as early as tomorrow. Some are unrestricted free agents (UFAs), meaning each will be free to negotiate and sign with any team once free agency begins. Others are restricted free agents (RFAs), meaning that player can only sign with the team that owns his rights until the start of free agency. At that time, RFAs can also be signed to an offer sheet by other NHL clubs, but their current team will have the right to match the offer or let that player go in exchange for compensation.

Below I have compiled a few lists detailing former Albany River Rats and Albany Devils that will have UFA or RFA status during free agency, baring any signings prior to its start. (All players are UFAs unless otherwise noted.)

Former Albany River Rats from the Devils years (1993-2006)

CALGARGY FLAMES

F Brendan Morrison (72 games in 1997-98)

FLORIDA PANTHERS

F Nicklas Bergfors (65 games in 2005-06)

MINNESOTA WILD

F John Madden (149 games from 1997 to 1999)

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

F Steve Sullivan (143 games from 1994 to 1997)

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

F Zach Parise – RFA (73 games in 2004-05, awaiting team elected arbitration)

OTTAWA SENATORS

D David Hale (60 games from 2004 to 2006)

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

F Michael Rupp (196 games from 2000 to 2003)

ST. LOUIS BLUES

F Cam Janssen (96 games from 2004 to 2006)

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

F Aaron Voros (153 games from 2003 to 2006)

Former Albany River Rats from the Carolina (2006-2010) and Colorado (2006-2007) years

BOSTON BRUINS

F Stefan Chaput – RFA (91 games from 2007 to 2010)

BUFFALO SABRES

F Tim Conboy (203 games from 2006 to 2010)

F Cody McCormick (42 games in 2006-07)

CAROLINA HURRICANES

D Casey Borer (143 games from 2006 to 2010)

F Nick Dodge (160 from 2008 to 2010)

D Zack Fitzgerald (77 games in 2009-10)

G Justin Pogge (4 games in 2009-10)

D Bryan Rodney (154 games from 2007 to 2010)

F Jiri Tlusty (20 games in 2009-10)

D Brett Bellemore – RFA (85 games from 2007 to 2010)

F Oskar Osala – RFA (16 games in 2009-10)

F Brandon Sutter – RFA (36 games from 2007 to 2010)

COLORADO AVALANCHE

G John Grahame (7 games in 2007-08)

F Harrison Reed (70 games in 2008-09)

D Kyle Cumiskey – RFA (63 games in 2006-07)

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

F Ben Guite (36 games in 2006-07)

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

F Michael Ryan (43 games from 2008 to 2010)

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

G Tyler Weiman (54 games in 2006-07)

WINNIPEG JETS

F Andrew Ladd – RFA (2 games in 2007-08)

Players from the New Jersey Devils organization that appeared in games for the Albany Devils in 2010-11

D Rob Davison (63 games)

D Tyler Eckford (37 games)

D Olivier Magnan (50 games)

G Mike McKenna (39 games)

F Brad Mills (53 games)

D Anssi Salmela (2 games)

F Tim Sestito (23 games)

F Chad Wiseman (48 games)

D Matt Corrente - RFA (3 games)

D Mark Fraser - RFA (5 games)

G Jeff Frazee - RFA (33 games)

F Nathan Perkovitch - RFA (40 games)

F Alexander Vasyunov - RFA (50 games, will play in KHL next season)

F Steven Zalewski - RFA (31 games)

F Vladimir Zharkov - RFA (31 games)

Finally, for those that are interested, TSN has a complete list of UFAs and RFAs from the Devils organization:

Available UFAs: D Rob Davison, D Tyler Eckford, D Andy Greene, G Johan Hedberg, D Jay Leach, D Olivier Magnan, F Adam Mair, G Mike McKenna, F Brad Mills, D Anssi Salmela, F Tim Sestito, F Chad Wiseman

Available RFAs: D Matt Corrente, D Mark Fraser, G Jeff Frazee, D Maxim Noreau, F Zach Parise, F Nathan Perkovitch, D Matthew Taormina, F Alexander Vasyunov, F Steven Zalewski, F Vladimir Zharkov

Be sure to check back tomorrow for free agency signing updates.

Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.