Pat Hickey's Top 10 Deals in the NHL

[Booche]

Francis Bouillon, Montreal Canadiens ($600,000): If ever a player was designed for the new NHL, it's the smooth-skating Bouillon. The smallest Canadien defenceman plays big and his skating skills allow him to thrive in a game where positioning is more important than brute strength.

"I like the new rules," Bouillon said. "They put a premium of positioning, moving your feet, and that's always been the strong part of my game."

A few years ago, Bouillon accepted a smaller base salary in return for the security of a one-way contract. He is averaging 20 minutes a game and is one of the team's top four defencemen.

John-Michael Liles, Colorado Avalanche ($450,000): Patrice Brisebois has revived his career in Colorado and the team has a Norris Trophy winner in Rob Blake. But the team's top-scoring defenceman is Liles, who has five goals and 11 assists and is a solid plus-3. The former Michigan State star was an eighth-round draft choice in 2000 and made the NHL all-rookie team in 2003-04, when he led all rookie defencemen with 10 goals and 34 points.

Steve Begin, Montreal Canadiens ($608,000): Since being plucked off the waiver wire from the Buffalo Sabres before the 2003-04 season, Begin has emerged as a solid two-way player and a team leader. He's part of the checking line, kills penalties, is the team leader in hits and plus/minus and he's on his way to career-high offensive numbers, with seven goals and four assists already in the bank. Craig Rivet summed up Begin's contributions this season when he said: "He's always doing something to give this team a spark, whether it's scoring a goal, making a big hit or throwing his body in front of a shot. He's definitely one of the leaders on this team."

Yanic Perreault, Nashville Predators ($525,000): Another oldie but goodie, Montreal castoff Perreault has five goals and five assists, but more importantly, he's still one of the best faceoff men in the NHL.

Peter Bondra, Atlanta Thrashers ($505,000): He scored his 12th goal of the season Tuesday against the Canadiens. The 37-year-old veteran signed with Atlanta a few days after training camp began because he wasn't ready to retire. Bondra, who is 11 goals shy of 500 for his career, has bonus clauses that could raise his salary significantly if Atlanta makes the playoffs.

Marek Svatos, Colorado Avalanche ($450,000): During a season marked by an impressive crop of rookies, this 23-year-old Slovakian has quietly racked up 10 goals and nine assists in 20 games. He's coming back from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of the 2003-04 season, but he did score a goal and picked up six assists in 11 playoff games during 2004.

Nolan Schaefer, San Jose Sharks ($450,000): A former all-American at Providence College, this rookie goaltender is pushing Evgeni Nabokov in a bid to get more ice time. Schaefer has won five of six starts and has a 1.94 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.

Ray Emery, Ottawa Senators ($450,000): Minimum-wage goaltender has been providing big dividends as Dominik Hasek's backup. He's a perfect 5-0 this season - and 8-0 overall in the NHL - with a 2.79 GAA and a .907 save percentage.

Jason Williams, Detroit Red Wings ($450,000): At 25, he's having a breakthrough season and is third on the Red Wings' scoring list with a career-high 21 points. Four of his six goals have been on the power play and he has two game-winning goals.

Jarrett Stoll, Edmonton Oilers ($501,000): In his second full NHL season, Stoll has 19 points, two fewer than he had in the entire 2003-04 season. Six of his seven goals have been on the power play and he has scored two game-winners.

[dave-O]

I'm not sure how guys on rookie deals and minor league contracts (Schaefer) qualify as "deals" here.

[rubberdinghy]

ummmm, the Dominator himself has proved a good deal for the Sens.