The Allure of Free Agency

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So here I am, writing a media spot because I picked the only number on the Christmas giveaway that required any work to get the TPE bonus. At first, I wasn't sure what to write about, but then I remembered that I'm possibly going to become a free agent for the first time this offseason.

 

When I say "first time," I don't just mean that it's Vesto Slipher's first chance to become a free agent; I have never had a player hit free agency during all my time as an active member of the VHL. It's just never been my thing. I've either liked the team that I've been on, had myself guilted into re-signing, or just plain retired and started over. That's not to say that I don't like being on Helsinki...even though we're not having a great season right now we are in a playoff spot and I'm getting an adequate amount of ice time. I also go way back with @Quik to my early days with Alex Stoyanovich on these very same Helsinki Titans.

 

No, if I hit free agency it's going to be because I actively decide to become a free agent. I've hear that it's something every member should try at least once, and now seems as good a time as any. That said, I don't know what the market would look like for an active-yet-consistently-underperforming winger who has yet to top 33 goals or 59 points in a season. I know active players (especially those who are set to hit the top 20 in TPE next season) will always garner interest, but I'm also not sure who's going to have cap space, or is even aware that I may be in play this offseason.

 

I'm definitely not committing to the market just yet. I've talked to Quik earlier in the season and I'm feeling like it would be a very amenable situation if I were to stick around and put this off for one more season. On that note, I guess I should re-phrase: I'm not committing to hitting the market *this offseason*, but I'll definitely reach free agency before Slipher's time is up. I'm not sure how many seasons I have left in the VHL, so I have to make sure I get this in sooner rather than later.

 

I'm not going to do any sort of "what team do I want to sign with" ranking, because I have no idea who'd be interested or who has the cap space to even consider it. I will say that I wouldn't rule out signing with Helsinki even if I don't accept the contract offer that's been sitting in my inbox all season, because I know what the situation would be and I'd be happy with that. There aren't any teams I'm dead-set against playing for, so basically it'd be dependent on the communication and situation I saw during the offseason.

 

I'm also not sure about what any other pending free agents are planning aside from Sebastian Ironside, who I believe is required to leave Toronto due to the GM transfer. Some other notables who look set to hit free agency according to the team finance sections on the portal are Matt Thompson, Jasper Canmore, and Joseph Bassolino. If any of those guys have plans to re-sign or hit free agency, I'm not aware of them. Fortunately, I'm not looking to be a marquee name on the free agent block...I'd just like the chance to pick my own team for once. We'll see how that goes in a few weeks.