The following article on the remaining free agents and holdouts is a public service announcement for those of you, our valued readers, who are involved in fantasy hockey leagues across the world. Should you pick a free agent even though they haven’t signed yet? Hopefully this article will help. Enjoy.

Paul Kariya

The standoff in Anaheim wasn’t supposed to extend this long. Disney’s got lots of money, right? Why don’t they just fork over the money to Paul Kariya, their Mightiest Duck? Not too many people are sure why Kariya’s not signed, but it’s safe to say everyone, including the head honchos in the NHL offices, are concerned.

Kariya, you see, is supposed to be the main attraction when the Ducks open their season against the Vancouver Canucks in Japan. But without Kariya, the game won’t mean as much to the curious Japanese fans that will attend.

The Ducks’ initial offer to Kariya was made back in the month of July. It was a five-year, $25 million offer. Kariya is thought to be asking for a substantial amount more -- somewhere in the $7 million per year range.

Anaheim is waiting for a counter-proposal from Kariya’s agent, who doesn’t even feel the low Ducks’ first offer deserves a response.

This holdout could go on for a while. But then again, the team might be waiting to see what happens in Pittsburgh with Jaromir Jagr, Detroit with Sergei Fedorov and Philadelphia with Eric Lindros.

Sergei Fedorov

Does he want traded or not? No one’s really sure. Fedorov has made it very clear, however, that if he re- signs with the Red Wings, he doesn’t want to play defense. He also wants more of a hand in the offensive game plan.

Coach Scotty Bowman agrees. He said he will not use Fedorov as a defenseman. But is that enough to keep Fedorov in Detroit? Well, they suppose some more money will help. Fedorov supposedly wants about $6 million a year, but as in the case of Kariya, Fedorov will probably hold out to see what the market value of players of his caliber levels out at.

Mike Barnett, Fedorov’s agent, might meet with Red Wing general manager Ken Holland when Detroit travels to Pittsburgh for a game on Tuesday to discuss the contract situation.

Mike Modano and Darien Hatcher

Both Modano and Hatcher are holding out of the Dallas Stars’ training camp, and there’s no word on new deals being imminent. Last word had Hatcher turning down an offer of $2.2 million per season and Modano declining a three-year, $10.2 million deal.

The Stars are hoping to get something done with Hatcher in the near future, while Modano, who wants about $4 million a year, is looking to get a deal signed with about two exhibition games left before the regular season starts. In any case, the negotiations are going well enough that both players should be in uniform when the real season begins.

Daniel Alfredsson

The Ottawa Senators don’t have a good track record when negotiating with their own players. Daniel Alfredsson knows that, as well.

The gutsy, two-way Ottawa star rejected the Sens’ $14.3 million, five-year offer, and is believed to be looking for something around $19 million for five years. Alfredsson told a Swedish newspaper this past weekend that, besides liking meatballs, he’s willing to sit out the whole season if that is what it will take for him to get the right contract from the Senators.

That’s not good news for Ottawa fans, who are hoping that last season’s playoff berth is a sign of good things to come. Perhaps the Senators just don’t know what to do with themselves if they don’t have someone holding out for a contract of some sort. Luckily Alfredsson is holding out. The player who drew the next shortest straw was Phil Von Stefenelli, and no one would really even care about him sitting out. Except for Phil’s mom, of course...Hi Mrs. Von Stefenelli!

Oleg Tverdovsky

The Tverdovsky situation just doesn’t look good. And that could spell trouble for those who picked him as their top defenseman in their hockey pools.

Tverdovsky is looking for a big contract for about $2 million per season. The Phoenix Coyotes don’t seem willing to give it to him. There’s even been talk of a possible trade coming soon. One possible city Tverdovsky could end up in is Vancouver, where Bret Hedican is also in a contract standoff. If a trade isn’t engineered, Tverdovsky’s holdout could be a long one.

Petr Nedved

It seems every year Petr Nedved demands more money. This year is no exception. But unlike past years, the Pittsburgh Penguins are finally getting tired of his antics. The Pens offered Nedved "Tony Amonte money", but Nedved feels he’s worth more.

The Pens offered Nedved about $15 million for five years, but Nedved wants $3 million or $ 4 million more. Nedved even when as far as demanding a trade, but the Pens say that’s not going to happen. So Nedved now says he’ll play this season in the Czech Elite League.

Kudos to the Pens on this one. Nedved has to prove himself before commanding that much money in the league.

Alexander Mogilny

Who knows when Mogilny’s gonna sign. Right now he’s living it up at his Malibu beach house and doesn’t appear to want to come back for training camp. If he signs, it will probably be right before the season starts. Of course, if Mark Messier finds out what beach house is his, Mogilny might be scrambling to pack his things and catch the next available flight to Vancouver before the Moose gets through the front door.

Sergei Gonchar

Gonchar’s in Russia right now, and his agent is hinting that his client would like a trade if nothing is worked out soon. Gonchar’s price tag is a little cheaper than Tverdovsky’s, so the Caps might be able to handle his contract.

Michael Peca

Mike Peca is desperately needed in Buffalo, but the Sabres don’t appear to be in any hurry to sign him. They better step their efforts up soon, because the Rangers seem to be ready to sign him to a front-loaded offer that the small-market Sabres wouldn’t be able to match.

John LeClair

LeClair isn’t a free agent, but he’s holding out until the Flyers renegotiate his current five-year, $7 million deal. The big man is in the third year of his current contract.

The two sides seem to be at a stalemate. GM Bobby Clarke said he won’t renegotiate until LeClair reports to camp. By the way, Bobby Clarke seems to be really serious.

LeClair wants something in the range of $4 million per season.

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