Top Goalie of the Free Agency Market: Tampa Bay Lightning’s Dwayne Roloson
One of the best known goalies in the entire National Hockey League (NHL) is Dwayne Roloson, the main goalie of Tampa Bay Lightning.
The all-star goalie's contract will be expiring this July 1st, and it is up to Tampa Bay's general manager, Steve Yzerman, to decide on what he is willing to do with Roloson.
The free agency is always a test for players who make it out of their teams and are not signed back in time before another franchise makes an offer.
Roloson will be turning 42 this year, but there is no doubt that he was the main man to lead Lightning to its Eastern Conference Finals run this past postseason.
Tampa Bay was never expected to go so deep into the playoffs after finishing the regular season at number five in the East. It was Roloson’s athletic dives and deflections that held them in place.
In his first season with Lightning, he led Tampa Bay to their deepest playoff stretch since winning the Stanley Cup back in 2004 against Calgary Flames.
Roloson is set to become a unrestricted free agent in the upcoming days, but Yzerman certainly has his eyes set on re-signing him.
"I've been in touch with virtually everybody's agent. Everybody will travel (Sunday) and get settled in their offices and we'll get back on the phone this week',' Yzerman said about being busy. "I'm optimistic. I believe that we will get things accomplished.
We were able to get Eric (Brewer's) done (last) week and we'll chip away at our restricted guys and go from there”.
The reason Roloson might not have yet received an offer is due to the hectic schedule Yzerman is facing.
He has over 14 players who will be becoming free agents, and when the NHL raises the salary cap like they did recently, dealing with players does not remain as easy as it was because they demand more and look at their options.
"I hope we are really busy. It means we are talking and hopefully getting some contracts signed'', Yzerman said.
Roloson along with Teddy Purcell, Steven Stamkos, Mike Lundin, Matt Smaby and Bruno Gervais, are all awaiting offers from the Tampa Bay club.
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